This report is looking to approve the new Integrated Waste Management Strategy which is detailed in Appendix A and to authorise council officers to design and implement new waste handling pilot schemes and approve the drawdown of the waste management reserve to fund such pilots.

That:

a)    The cabinet authorises the new Integrated Waste Management strategy for Herefordshire, adopts to the new targets within the document  as detailed in Appendix A and authorises the development of a benefits realisation action plan to achieve the agreed targets;

b)    The cabinet authorises the design, development, procurement and implementation of the proposed waste handling pilot schemes and approves the expenditure of up to £1.5m from the council’s waste reserve to progress and implement the schemes;

c)    The cabinet authorises the expenditure of the Section 106 allocation for recycling projects up to the value of £92,000 to progress the proposed waste handling pilot schemes through design, development, procurement and implementation; and

d)    The cabinet authorises the Section 151 officer to take all operational decisions relating to the above recommendations

1.         Not to adopt the New Integrated Waste Management Strategy. This is not recommended as the current waste collection and disposal contracts are due to expire 2023/24. This presents an opportunity for the council to address the significant issues around climate, expected changes in legislation, the circular economy expectations which were outlined in the work of the task and finish group and the council’s County Plan objectives. Without developing and adopting a new Integrated Waste Management Strategy the council is at risk of not meeting the future legislative changes and failing to meet the County Plan objective.

2.         Not to adopt the new targets out line in Appendix A. This is not recommended as if the council does not adopt the targets then they will not achieve the County Plan objectives, the aspirations as set out in the Climate and Ecological emergency or meet the legislative requirements that the government are consulting on currently especially around the collection and disposal of food waste.

3.         Not to draw down the Waste reserve and use the section 106 allocation to enable prototype schemes to roll out across the county. This is not recommended as there is a requirement to look at new ways of handling our waste that is generated in the County to address the climate and ecological emergency, the objectives that are clearly outlined in the County Plan