Agenda item

Flats Recycling Service

To consider the rollout of enhanced recycling services to flats across the Borough.

Minutes:

Councillor A.C.J. Horwood, Executive Member for Neighbourhood Services, introduced the report setting out the Council’s approach, and continued support, to enhanced kerbside recycling facilities for flats and properties with communal bin areas.

The report before the Executive reaffirmed the Council’s commitment to implementing an enhanced recycling service for 1873 flats, principally located in Redhill and Reigate, by the end of March 2019 (Phase 1). Furthermore, Councillor Horwood explained that the report was seeking agreement to plan for the introduction of services to an additional 2,300 flats across the borough during 2019/20 (Phase 2).   

The Executive Member explained that the report provided further details on timescales, resources required and the anticipated recycling yield. It was also highlighted that the Overview and Scrutiny Committee had considered the report at their meeting on 6 September 2018. It was noted that this had provided a useful forum for discussion. It was explained that the Committee had raised a number of questions but had generally been supportive of the proposals set out in the report.

It was highlighted that following Phases 1 and 2 a business as usual approach would be taken in relation to rolling out recycling facilities to remaining flats across the borough. It was noted that this would require consultation, agreement and in some cases investment from flat owners.

During the discussion, both the Leader of the Council and Executive Member for Neighbourhood Services responded to various questions on the rollout of enhanced recycling services to flats across the borough. 

Councillor Horwood concluded by providing clarity on the following sections of the report:

-       The reference to financial arrangements between the Authority and Surrey County Council should have been removed from recommendation (iv) and sections 11, 14 and 26 of the report, as this element of the roll out was considered as business as usual.

-       Section 6 of the report incorrectly made reference to Phases 1, 2 and 3. The report should have been updated as reference to increased recycling rates related to a roll-out to all flats.

-       Option 3, set out in section 17 of the report, should have been removed as this work was considered as normal business.            

In response to these updates, and to ensure clarity, the Executive Member for Neighbourhood Services moved an amendment to recommendation (iv), which was agreed and it was therefore;  

RESOLVED that:

(i)            The overall success of the rollout of the enhanced kerbside recycling scheme, agreed by the Executive in December 2010, be noted.

(ii)          The Council’s continued support for the rollout of enhanced recycling services to flats across the borough be reaffirmed.

(iii)         The Strategic Head of Neighbourhood Services, in consultation with the Executive Member for Neighbourhood Services, be authorised to roll out Phase 1 and plan for, and roll out Phase 2.

(iv)         It be noted providing kerbside recycling for the remaining properties would be considered as part of a process of continued improvement, recognising rollout would be challenging and may not prove cost effective.    

Reasons for decision: To provide an update on the delivery of an extended kerbside recycling scheme, including recycling services for flats, to ensure government recycling targets were achieved and to reduce the amount of residual waste sent for disposal.

Alternative options: To choose not to continue with the roll out of kerbside recycling to flats or to implement enhanced services to all flats more quickly with significant additional resource.