Agenda and minutes
- Attendance details
- Agenda frontsheet
PDF 37 KB
- Agenda reports pack
- 1. Supplement - (7) Food Waste Collection Service (8) Garden Waste Collection Service (9) Procurement of a professional services supplier to support highways and infrastructure
PDF 2 MB
- 2. Supplement (4) Questions and responses from members of the public; (9) Political Group comments for Procurement of a professional services supplier to support highways & infrastructure
PDF 842 KB
- 3. Supplement - draft cabinet minutes 27 March 2025
PDF 838 KB
- 4. Supplement Public questions with written repsonse to PQ1
PDF 660 KB
- Printed minutes
PDF 141 KB
Venue: Herefordshire Council Offices, Plough Lane, Hereford, HR4 0LE
Contact: Samantha Gregory, Democratic Services Officer
Link: Watch this meeting live on the Herefordshire Council Youtube Channel
No. | Item |
---|---|
Opening remarks The Leader opened the meeting to acknowledge the passing of Phill Cutter. The Leader expressed that it was with great sadness that former councillor Phill Cutter had passed away on Monday 28th April 2025, condolences were extended to his family on behalf of Herefordshire Council. It was expressed that Phill would be fondly remembered, he was a dedicated member of the council, he served with distinction on many committees including the planning committee. He was highly regarded and served his community well, he was a trusted friend and a dear colleague.
A minute’s silence was observed. |
|
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE To receive any apologies for absence. Minutes: There were apologies from Councillor Durkin.
There were further apologies from councillors Fagan, James and Proctor. |
|
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST To receive declarations of interests in respect of Table A, Table B or Other Interests from members of the committee in respect of items on the agenda. Minutes: None. |
|
To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 27 March.
Minutes to follow. Minutes: Resolved: That the minutes of the meeting held on 27 March 2025 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairperson.
|
|
Questions from members of the public To receive questions from members of the public.
Additional documents:
Minutes: Questions received and responses given are attached as appendix 1 to the minutes. |
|
Questions from councillors To receive questions from councillors.
Minutes: None were received. |
|
Reports from Scrutiny Committees No scrutiny committee reports have been received. Minutes: There were no reports from scrutiny committees for consideration at this meeting. |
|
Food Waste Collection Service Report to follow. Additional documents:
Minutes: The member for environment introduced the report. It was highlighted that section 57 (8) of the Environment Act 2021 states that recyclable household waste which is food waste, must be collected at least once a week. It was noted to comply with legislation a food waste recycling service must be in place by 31 March 2026. It was anticipated that the recycling rates will increase from around 40% to 45% and once the chargeable garden waste service is factored in, this would increase to 58% which would exceed the target for 2025. It was further noted that the council were now collecting batteries and smaller electricals which also enhances the councils recycling ability.
It was confirmed that more than 1m mega watt hours of electricity had been generated from food waste collected since 2017. The new proposal was suggesting it be put through anaerobic digestion, which would create biogas to generate energy. It was highlighted that the contract contained a specific provision to ensure that none of the digestates produced would be sold into or spread into the Wye Lugg SAC to avoid increasing the nutrient loads within the catchment. It was confirmed that diverting food waste energy from waste plants to AD recycling has estimated to save £621k per annum. It was noted that utilising existing digesters in the county had been considered but the nature of food waste required a specific set up that could not be achieved without excessive expenditure on the existing installations. A commercial food waste collection and disposal service was being piloted which would merge with the domestic food waste service from 2026.
Regarding the additional recycling bins, it was confirmed each household would be provided with a small kitchen caddy and a 25L outdoor caddy, this will be supported by a detailed communications and engagement strategy.
It was confirmed that this decision will have paved the way for the service to take on the new requirements once the annual new burdens revenue grant has been agreed.
Comments from cabinet members. This was noted to be a positive step and a fantastic piece of work. It was noted as showing the council’s commitment to the environment.
Group leaders gave the views of their groups. It was raised that the substantive papers for cabinet were issued a day after the agenda was published and a request that this didn’t occur going forward. There was full support for this initiative, and it was a positive step to have weekly collections for food waste. It was noted that anaerobic digestion management would be monitored and ensuring that the council were going beyond the statutory requirements.
There were no response to queries.
Councillor Swinglehurst, proposed the recommendations, and it was unanimously resolved that:
That conditional on sufficient annual new burdens revenue grant received from government that:
a) Cabinet approves the commencement of a new food waste collection;
b) Authority is delegated to the Corporate Director for Economy and Environment to enact the existing option to introduce a ... view the full minutes text for item 91. |
|
Garden Waste Collection Service Report to follow. Minutes: 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. |
|
Procurement of a professional services supplier to support Highways & Infrastructure Report to follow. Additional documents: Minutes: ChildrenCHTHE MEMBER the The member for transport and infrastructure introduced the report. It was noted that Balfour Beatty Living Places (the current provider) utilise WSP for top up professional services such as engineering design work and advising on specialist areas such as bridge maintenance or on landslip repairs. It was confirmed that the council’s new operating model for public realm services would be moving away from a mostly outsourced model and will commence in June 2026. It was confirmed that the council were looking to procure a single professional services partner in a long-term contract to assist with the delivery of highways, transport and infrastructure work. The partnership would be with a multi disciplined professional services provider, which had the capabilities to deliver a wide range of highways, transport, economy and environmental professional advice and to supplement and support Herefordshire’s in-house teams.
The procurement would be completed and the professional services partner would be mobilised ahead of the new public realm contract start.
The benefits of a long-term professional services partner were highlighted which included having a provider which knew Herefordshire and the long-term relationship would mean that the provider would become very efficient in providing services to the council through knowledge of systems and processes, consistency of management and staff and early involvement in the development projects. This would help avoid additional fee costs creating a 3% to 5% saving over time.
A partnership relationship would also mean that the council could respond to bidding opportunities and changes in government approach quickly. It would also mean that the council had specialist support staff available quickly to help deal with emergencies.
It was confirmed that the expectation of the professional services provider would be to work with council officers to provide regular continuing professional development (CPD), training, seminars and other staff development opportunities. This would likely include a joint graduate development programme.
It was confirmed that the expectation would be for the provider to actively engage with employing local people, and would get involved with local charities, supporting local schools and consider supporting care leavers with work experience and apprenticeship opportunities.
Comments from cabinet members. This was supported and noted that having this process and framework in place would mean relevant expertise could be called upon when needed. It would provide best efficiency and best value for money alongside enriching the knowledge base. Also, it linked well across two cabinet members portfolios with the work being carried out on growth, education and training.
Group leaders gave the views of their groups. This was supported by all group leaders present. It was noted that being an intelligent customer and the move to providing in-house services, would only aid the new contract being successful. Caution was expressed regarding outsourcing all the services identified in the report (at paragraph 3) and a flexible approach was requested regarding how the council partners with the provider, a mixed model may provide the better outcome.
The advantages of a long-term relationship were recognised, and the social ... view the full minutes text for item 93. |