a)    Cabinet approves the commencement of a new chargeable garden waste collection from 30 March 2026;

b)    Authority is delegated to the Corporate Director for Economy and Environment to enact the existing option to introduce a chargeable garden waste service within the Recyclables and Waste Collection Services Contract with FCC Environment for an initial term of 6 years, including options to extend by up to a further 12 years;

c)    Authority is delegated to the Corporate Director for Economy and Environment to enact the existing variation option to within the current Waste Management Services Contract with Mercia Waste Management Ltd to recycle the garden waste;

d)    To authorise the expenditure of up to £1,039,292 from the approved capital programme to purchase the new garden waste collection fleet;

e)    To authorise the expenditure of up to £588,050 from the waste revenue reserve to fund mobilisation and to purchase and deliver the new garden waste containers;

f)      To authorise the expenditure of up to £890,000 to underwrite any potential year loses as the new service establishes and grows the customer base;

g)    Delegate all operational decisions to implement the above recommendations and to undertake the annual review of fees and charges to the Head of Environment, Climate Emergency & Waste.

1.             Not to implement a new chargeable garden waste collection service. This is not recommended as legislation under the Environment Act 2021 stipulates that garden waste from households must be collected separately and must be composted.

2.             Not to implement a new chargeable garden waste collection service. This is not recommended as the additional collection and recycling of ~14,260 tonnes of garden waste per year will significantly support the delivery of the Council’s targets to increase recycling rates within the Integrated Waste Management Strategy.

3.             To introduce a new garden waste service on a seasonal basis for 36 weeks per year. This is not recommended due to a strong preference for a year-round service through the public consultation.