Agenda item

The Waste Policy Update was introduced by the Cabinet Member for Environment & Waste.

The Cabinet Member explained that the purpose of the report was to codify operational changes within the service area that had been implemented over the previous year. The policies outlined within the report were all agreed and existing working practices.

The key areas of change within the document were:

-       Section 10: Missed Bin/Sack Collections – this section outlined when the service would and would not return for a missed bin. It covered the Council’s policy on rejected bins (this included for contamination). The Cabinet Member clarified that the amendments to Section 10 would outline greater consistency within the service.

-       Section 13: Battery Collections – this section outlined the Council’s approach to collecting batteries at the curbside.

-       Section 14: Clinical sharps – the reference to direct deliver to the depot had been removed and collection of sharps bins was referenced as the only option. This was due to health and safety restrictions at the current and new depot; SKDC continued to accept direct delivery, and residents would not be turned away with sharps bins, however, SKDC sought to educate and encourage those delivering to the depot to arrange a collection.

During discussions, Members commented on the following:

-       Clarification was sought whether the set of three 240 litre bins issued to new residential properties was chargable. This was confirmed but it was noted that SKDC encouraged developers to deal with this prior to residents moving into the property.

-       Whilst noting there were challenges around this, it was queried whether officers were progressing with a sack suitable for the sole collection of paper and card rather than mixed recycling.

-       Under circumstances where a resident’s bin collection had been missed due to an SKDC error, it was queried whether this was rectified within five days. This was confirmed to be the case.

-       It was queried whether consideration was being given to collections taking place on a monthly basis. This was confirmed not to be the case by the Head of Waste & Markets. 

-       Regarding the charges outlined in section 8.3 of the report, liability was queried in instances where damages had been caused by exceptional circumstances such as a rodent damaging the bin. The Cabinet Member for Environment & Waste backed the Waste Team to be reasonable in the flexibility of interpreting and enforcing the policy. This could be dealt with on a case-by-case basis.

-       Concern was given to the issue caused by bins and waste sacks being left unattended on the narrow pavements in some areas of the district.

-       Clarification was sought regarding the reference to fixed penalty payments within the report. It was confirmed that the implementation of a fixed penalty notice would only occur in extreme circumstances where a resident is continuously failing to adhere to the legislative standards of bin use. The rare nature of these notices was highlighted by the Head of Waste & Markets who noted that the last notice to be issued prior to the meeting had been in 2023.

-       It was queried whether residents with waste sacks would miss a week of collections. The Cabinet Member for Waste and Environment confirmed this to be a misconception, clarifying that dry mixed recycling sacks would still be collected on purple-lidded bin week.

-       Clarification was sought about the disposal of batteries for residents with waste sacks rather than bins. It was confirmed that the smaller battery bag could be tied to the waste sack for collection.

-       The Vice-Chairman drew attention to section 9.1 of the report, highlighting SKDC’s assisted collection service. Members were encouraged to raise awareness of this service via their social media profiles.

Following a proposal, it was seconded and AGREED to recommend the updated version of the Waste Policy to Cabinet.