Report to follow.

The member for environment introduced the report.   It was confirmed that the Environment Act 2021 stated that garden waste must be collected separately and composted.  However, unlike the food waste service this was a discretionary service that could be charged for.  Additional recycling of 14,260 tonnes of garden waste per annum was estimated and this would support delivery of the council’s current recycling targets.  It was noted that alongside the food waste collection, the recycling would increase from 40% to 58% against the 2025 target of 55%. 

Market research indicated that there would be a 44% to 51% uptake of the service, and a full cost recovery was anticipated provided there was an uptake of just over 19% (16,000 customers).  It was confirmed this would be a year-round service, with fortnightly collections using 240L bins and the subscription fee would be £60.  The green sack service would cease once the service was introduced.  There will be a 10-month mobilisation period, and the service is planned to go live in March 2026. 

The proposed service would increase recycling in line with the Council Plan 2024-28 and would support the objective to reduce carbon emissions, modelled on an uptake of 18,150 households.  It was noted that over the projected 6-year period it was hoped that the service would produce a revenue positive outturn of £886k and if the customer base rose in line with benchmarking from other local authorities the income could rise to £500k per year based on 35,600 customers (43% uptake).  It was highlighted that the 2023 consultation indicated that 51.2% of respondents would use the service.  It was noted there would always be an element of risk, but it had been underwritten by an allocation of £890k in the waste reserve. 

Cabinet members comments.  It was noted that this was addressing a need, it was beneficial for residents and the environment whilst also having a positive revenue impact.   

Group leaders gave the views of their groups. The item was fully supported and confirmation that it would be a year-round service was very positive.  It was requested that the income from the service be ringfenced for the climate change and environmental projects.  It was also queried if a campaign could take place to encourage residents to do home composting and it would be beneficial to have local support providing expertise to residents. 

In response to queries it was noted that ringfencing the money would be considered.

In respect of composting, a campaign was carried out in 2016/17 where composters were provided but there wasn’t a large uptake at the time. It was acknowledged that uptake may now be greater.   It was noted that households could make a choice to use this service or do their own composting. The many benefits of composting were acknowledged. 

Councillor Swinglehurst proposed the recommendations, and it was unanimously resolved that: 

That:

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

b)    Authority is delegated to the Corporate Director  ...  view the full minutes text for item 92