Agenda item

Report number WCS10 by the Head of Waste and Contract Management.

                                                                                                            (attached)

DECISION:

(1)    To proceed with the introduction of an alternate weekly waste collection system using wheeled bins throughout the whole district council area, as outlined in appendix B2 to report WCS10;

(2)    To implement the rollout of the system in a phased approach, beginning in September 2006, ending September 2007, subject to the Healthy Environment Portfolio Holder approving any variation due to circumstances.

Considerations/Reasons for Decision:

(1)     Report number WCS10 by the Head of Waste & Contract Services concerning the results of a recent consultation exercise on the proposed introduction of an alternate weekly waste collection service throughout the District;

(2)     Outcome from the feedback received indicates that the residents of south Kesteven would like to see wheeled bins introduced for both refuse and recycling collections.  The outcome of the consultation accords with the conclusions reached by the working group set up by the Healthy Environment DSP.  The Cabinet received comments from the Chairman of the Working Group at the meeting;

(3)     It is acknowledged that there are areas where wheeled bins would be unsuitable.  It has always been a recognised factor that some properties would be exempt from this collection method and a policy on exempt properties would be required;

(4)     A phased-in approach is preferred, implementing the scheme round by round.  The advantages of this approach is outlined in report WCS10;

(5)     Noting the emphasis on continuing and future consultation with residents to ensure that they are well informed, individually if necessary;

(6)     The Portfolio Holder has delegated responsibility to make any variation to the phased introduction of the scheme where necessary in the light of experience;

(7)     It is recognised that sufficient resources should be included within the Revenue and Capital Programmes to implement this decision.

Other options considered and rejected:  A “Big Bang” approach to implementation is rejected as this would be the least effective and successful.  This approach could fail because:

(1)   It is estimated that distribution of bins would take approximately 6 months, and therefore some households would start using their bins long before collections are due to commence.  This situation occurred with the introduction of the green waste scheme.

(2)   An integral part of introducing an alternate weekly collection scheme is publicity.  It is recommended by all communication specialists to run publicity three weeks and one week before implementation.  A lack of resources would make this impossible to cover the whole 365 square miles on this time frame.