To approve the principles of a specification of a new Waste Collection Contract to commence in 2009.

The Cabinet Member Environment and Strategic Housing presented the Waste Collection Contract report.  He stated he believed the proposals outlined in the report were inline with the wishes of the majority of residents in the county.  With regard to the collection of waste he stated that the authority would continue with a weekly waste collection, with recycling carried out on a bi-weekly basis and wheeled bins would be provided.  He added that Herefordshire would also be recycling glass products as part of the kerbside collection, and for that reason it was no longer safe to use plastic bags.  By not using plastic bags there would be a saving of 2.5m bags every year.  With this provision it was felt that the Council could now discuss with the supermarkets how to reduce the use of plastic bags.  For those members of the community who would be unable to use wheeled bins then plastic bags would continue.

It was emphasised that any resident who might have difficulty in putting out their rubbish help would be provided, as it was important to ensure that everyone could participate in the scheme.  It was not proposed to impose any draconian measures on residents, however it should be noted that if the government recycling targets were not met then heavy penalties could be imposed upon the authority.

The Cabinet Member referred Cabinet to paragraph 21 of the report and the consideration of other tasks that could be undertaken by contractor staff.  He commended officers for the ideas they had put forward at a recent ideas session the director had held, in particular the delivery and collection of library books to vulnerable residents.  Cabinet was also referred to paragraph 19 of the report and the discussions held with EnviroAbility who manage the Rebox scheme.  It was stated the EnviroAbility were delighted to be asked to pilot the scheme, which if successful would be introduced across the county.  It was added that the public would be encouraged to respond with ideas to improve the scheme.  Cabinet was advised that currently recycling was at 74% and it was hoped it would reach 88%.  The Cabinet Member stated he was confident that Herefordshire now had the right policy to take forward on recycling. 

Both Cabinet Members and Members in attendance welcomed the recommendations, the creative ideas such as the collection of library books and the reduction in the use of plastic bags.  It was felt that it was important to ensure the recycling facilities were operating fully before offering the kerbside collection across the county, as currently residents were sorting their waste and this would not be required under the new system.  The Cabinet Member thanked officers for their work and the Hereford Times for its support.

RESOLVED

            THAT:

                        (a)        a weekly refuse collection service is provided at the kerbside for all households in the county and that plastic sacks be used for this purpose;

                        (b)       the kerbside recycling service be extended to a near 100% of the county’s homes as is practicable from the current level of c.75%;

                        (c)        the recycling service collect mixed materials from the kerbside including glass, paper, cardboard, plastic and metal cans and that the collections be made fortnightly.  The Council to provide a rigid container (a wheeled bin) for the purposes of collecting and presenting the recyclables.  Householders may choose an appropriate sized bin from a number offered;

                        (d)       both services (waste and recycling) offer to anyone who has difficulty presenting waste and recycling at the kerbside (whether through old age, disability or other reasonable cause) a collection from any agreed part of their property; and

                        (e)       officers, through the procurement process, explore all opportunities to add value to the new waste and recycling collection contract especially provision of additional services by contractor staff whilst undertaking their main duties.  For example, the collection and delivery of library books from vulnerable people, reporting road defects, carrying out automated road condition surveys, the delivery and collection of community equipment such as walking frames and other aids and any other possibilities that become apparent.