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The decisions as the council's minutes record them. A plain-language summary follows once it has been written.
Agreed that this would be an interesting proposal that could be explored on a trial basis. • ISDE&E – The fleet of recycling vehicles that we used were leased and as these leases neared the end of their terms, we would look at the best options available. This could be investing in electric vehicles (EV’s), which we had done already by using two EV’s for our residual waste collections on a trial basis, however given the landscape of the Borough it was considered a challenge for these EV’s, so all options would be explored ahead of renewing our fleet. • EM – Suggestions of a charter between residents, businesses and the Council was welcomed and would be explored. 5.3 Officers and the EM left the meeting and members and the SO and TD&MSO remained. 5.4 Recommendations Upon completion of their scrutiny activity, the Committee offered the following recommendations:- Recommendation 1:- Members were concerned around the accessibility of the Strategy document from the public’s perspective, and highlighted issues regarding the use of jargon and too much information in parts. Therefore, Members recommended that an easy read version of the Strategy be produced for public consumption. Also, Members agreed with the Executive Member’s suggestion that the ‘Our challenges’ title on page 32 of the agenda should be amended to ‘Our context’. Recommendation 2:- Members were concerned that some of the high level KPIs within Table 3 of the draft Strategy would not be reviewed frequently enough, such as ‘Increase recycling and composting’ and ‘Customer Survey and Continued Engagement’. Therefore, Members recommended that officers review the frequency that all KPIs will be reviewed and amend accordingly. Recommendation 3:- Members believed that the public would benefit from periodic reminders around what could be recycled and in which receptacle. Therefore, Members recommended that regular communications be used, as a way of providing clarity and reminders to all residents and businesses. In addition to the above, Members recommended that a visual tool could be used in order to further aid public understanding around what should and should not go into each waste and recycling receptacle, which could be used in roadshow environments. Recommendation 4:- With regards to the social contract required between the Council and residents/businesses for recycling purposes, Members recommended that officers explore the opportunity to re-frame it as a Charter, with key principles around respect and expectations. In terms of the Waste and Recycling Service Standards specifically, Members recommended the following: • Timescales should be included for responding to businesses regarding missed collections and other issues; and • Clarity was required around the presentation of items such as textiles, particularly around the use of carrier bags and making sure crews could ascertain the contents. Recommendation 5:- Members were pleased to hear about the focus on staff engagement, development and wellbeing within the Waste and Recycling department and recommended that this continues, and develops further where possible, in order to ensure improvement around staff recruitment and retention, which has been an issue in recent years. Recommendation 6:- Members acknowledged officers’ comments that the bulky waste collections service needed to be cost effective in order for the Council to operate it. However, Members recommended, as supported by the Executive Member and officers, that officers explore the use of a trial to assess the impact of reducing the cost of the service in order to attempt to increase the amount it is used by residents. The trial could assess the additional cost to the Council, compared to the cost of removing fly tipping, which is often the result of some residents not recycling appropriately. Recommendation 7:- In light of the risks attached to repair cafes, which rely on volunteers to operate, Members recommended that officers explore what level of support can be provided to interested parties around potential business opportunities associated with repair cafes, via Torfaen Business Direct. Members also suggested that bolstering the range of volunteers available within the community would make repair cafes, and other community-based services, more resilient for the future. Recommendation 8:- Members recommended that officers explore solutions to the challenges associated with managing bins in public places, in order for the Council to be able to segregate litter and recycling and thus assist with improving the Council’s recycling rate. Additional Comments & Observations from the Committee: Members praised Officers and the Executive Member for their contributions during the meeting and agreed with the direction of travel within the draft strategy. Considering the importance and impact of recycling services to all members of the Council, Members suggested that it would be of significant benefit to hold a Members Seminar to provide feedback from the recent door-to-door engagement programme to promote food waste recycling.
1.1 The Chair welcomed Members and Officers to the meeting. 1.2 There were apologies from Councillors Karl Gauden, Alan Slade, David Williams and Nathan Yeowell.
2.1 There were no declarations of interest.
3.1 The minutes of the previous meeting held on 23 January 2025 were confirmed as an accurate record.
4.1 The SO gave an update on the Action Sheet stating we were still awaiting responses to the recommendations from the officers although that was expected imminently and once received they would be shared with the committee along with the item regarding information on Springboard. Members agreed to note the Action Sheet.
Decision as recorded
Agreed that this would be an interesting proposal that could be explored on a trial basis. • ISDE&E – The fleet of recycling vehicles that we used were leased and as these leases neared the end of their terms, we would look at the best options available. This could be investing in electric vehicles (EV’s), which we had done already by using two EV’s for our residual waste collections on a trial basis, however given the landscape of the Borough it was considered a challenge for these EV’s, so all options would be explored ahead of renewing our fleet. • EM – Suggestions of a charter between residents, businesses and the Council was welcomed and would be explored. 5.3 Officers and the EM left the meeting and members and the SO and TD&MSO remained. 5.4 Recommendations Upon completion of their scrutiny activity, the Committee offered the following recommendations:- Recommendation 1:- Members were concerned around the accessibility of the Strategy document from the public’s perspective, and highlighted issues regarding the use of jargon and too much information in parts. Therefore, Members recommended that an easy read version of the Strategy be produced for public consumption. Also, Members agreed with the Executive Member’s suggestion that the ‘Our challenges’ title on page 32 of the agenda should be amended to ‘Our context’. Recommendation 2:- Members were concerned that some of the high level KPIs within Table 3 of the draft Strategy would not be reviewed frequently enough, such as ‘Increase recycling and composting’ and ‘Customer Survey and Continued Engagement’. Therefore, Members recommended that officers review the frequency that all KPIs will be reviewed and amend accordingly. Recommendation 3:- Members believed that the public would benefit from periodic reminders around what could be recycled and in which receptacle. Therefore, Members recommended that regular communications be used, as a way of providing clarity and reminders to all residents and businesses. In addition to the above, Members recommended that a visual tool could be used in order to further aid public understanding around what should and should not go into each waste and recycling receptacle, which could be used in roadshow environments. Recommendation 4:- With regards to the social contract required between the Council and residents/businesses for recycling purposes, Members recommended that officers explore the opportunity to re-frame it as a Charter, with key principles around respect and expectations. In terms of the Waste and Recycling Service Standards specifically, Members recommended the following: • Timescales should be included for responding to businesses regarding missed collections and other issues; and • Clarity was required around the presentation of items such as textiles, particularly around the use of carrier bags and making sure crews could ascertain the contents. Recommendation 5:- Members were pleased to hear about the focus on staff engagement, development and wellbeing within the Waste and Recycling department and recommended that this continues, and develops further where possible, in order to ensure improvement around staff recruitment and retention, which has been an issue in recent years. Recommendation 6:- Members acknowledged officers’ comments that the bulky waste collections service needed to be cost effective in order for the Council to operate it. However, Members recommended, as supported by the Executive Member and officers, that officers explore the use of a trial to assess the impact of reducing the cost of the service in order to attempt to increase the amount it is used by residents. The trial could assess the additional cost to the Council, compared to the cost of removing fly tipping, which is often the result of some residents not recycling appropriately. Recommendation 7:- In light of the risks attached to repair cafes, which rely on volunteers to operate, Members recommended that officers explore what level of support can be provided to interested parties around potential business opportunities associated with repair cafes, via Torfaen Business Direct. Members also suggested that bolstering the range of volunteers available within the community would make repair cafes, and other community-based services, more resilient for the future. Recommendation 8:- Members recommended that officers explore solutions to the challenges associated with managing bins in public places, in order for the Council to be able to segregate litter and recycling and thus assist with improving the Council’s recycling rate. Additional Comments & Observations from the Committee: Members praised Officers and the Executive Member for their contributions during the meeting and agreed with the direction of travel within the draft strategy. Considering the importance and impact of recycling services to all members of the Council, Members suggested that it would be of significant benefit to hold a Members Seminar to provide feedback from the recent door-to-door engagement programme to promote food waste recycling.
1 The Chair introduced the item and following the EM gave a brief introduction before the ISDE&E and HoWT detailed the full report. 5.2 In response to Members’ questions the officers and Executive Member provided the following answers: • HoWT – It was said that rurality could have had an impact on how other authorities had performed but this was not the only factor that impacted on performance. It was reiterated that factors such as the frequency of residual waste collections or limits on residual waste collection would affect performance also. ISDE&E – Another factor that influenced performance was the demographics of the area, and this had led to the team ensuring that our own strategy reflected our communities and challenges that we faced in Torfaen. • ISDE&E – It had been too soon since the implementation of red bags to say if this had had an impact yet, positive or not. However early indications were positive when comparing quarterly figures from 2024 to 2025. • ISDE&E – It was agreed that the Strategy should avoid the use of technical terms and made simple to understand for the public. HoWT – Once the strategy had been approved an “easy-read” copy would be published and this would be written in simpler terms with jargon removed. • ISDE&E – Challenges around access and kerbside presentation could be included in the strategy. • ISDE&E – The image used of the bin showing the percentages for recycling was a powerful image and was used when engaging with residents at events. • HoWT – There was an engagement team in place that had gone door-to-door and they had engaged with over 10,000 residents via this method. A report would be ready soon showcasing the feedback they had received from this engagement. ISDE&E – Should the engagement team not get a response when going door-to-door they would then have arranged to return to these properties again. • ISDE&E – We had tried to ensure we accommodated all residents regardless of digital skills within the strategy, so aside from information being published via the website or social media we had also made letter drops as well. • ISDE&E – Some in-cab technology had already been rolled out with the rest being rolled out on a phased approach to ensure process is properly managed. What has been implemented so far has allowed the staff to map out their routes more efficiently and see where collections had been missed, all the while recording data which was inputted into a database which would in turn improve our ability to report and record information. HoWT – We were also able to implement the bulky collection system, which had meant once a resident had completed the form online this then contacted the team who could then collect at the address given. • ISDE&E – The key to retaining staff was engaging with them and having discussions; ensuring they felt valued and supported, that they had good working conditions, providing them with knowledge around benefits they could access as council staff and increasing the availability of leave during the summer as well. • HoWT – The analysis we had done had shown that flats would only contribute an additional 0.2% to the overall recycling performance figure so this was not considered significant, it was instead decided that a focus on recycling small electricals would be more appropriate as this could provide a 1.5% increase. • HoWT – We had gathered feedback from residents through our door-to-door campaign as well as through the initial survey that we had run, which had then all been fed into the strategy. • HoWT – Work had been done on a national level by Welsh Government so that by 2027 stretchy plastic would be recycled. We had looked into developing a plant that would be capable of taking in and recycling this material, as well as being able to handle foil so that could be recycled again. • HoWT – The strategy did not include targets for responding to businesses around missed collections or other issues, however this could be included as part of the Service Standards. ISDE&E – We had held regular meetings with Natural Resources Wales (NRW) who had stated they were happy with how we managed all our collections. We had also liaised with them to report on operators who had not complied with regulations. • ISDE&E – We had held discussions with businesses around the service they wanted from the Council, it was important that we were able to provide sufficient service for them whilst also ensuring that costs were effective too and we had not drawn down from the Council budget. • ISDE&E – The proposal to work with Torfaen Business Direct regarding repair shops was welcomed and could be explored. EM – Agreed that this would be an interesting proposal that could be explored on a trial basis. • ISDE&E – The fleet of recycling vehicles that we used were leased and as these leases neared the end of their terms, we would look at the best options available. This could be investing in electric vehicles (EV’s), which we had done already by using two EV’s for our residual waste collections on a trial basis, however given the landscape of the Borough it was considered a challenge for these EV’s, so all options would be explored ahead of renewing our fleet. • EM – Suggestions of a charter between residents, businesses and the Council was welcomed and would be explored. 5.3 Officers and the EM left the meeting and members and the SO and TD&MSO remained. 5.4 Recommendations Upon completion of their scrutiny activity, the Committee offered the following recommendations:- Recommendation 1:- Members were concerned around the accessibility of the Strategy document from the public’s perspective, and highlighted issues regarding the use of jargon and too much information in parts. Therefore, Members recommended that an easy read version of the Strategy be produced for public consumption. Also, Members agreed with the Executive Member’s suggestion that the ‘Our challenges’ title on page 32 of the agenda should be amended to ‘Our context’. Recommendation 2:- Members were concerned that some of the high level KPIs within Table 3 of the draft Strategy would not be reviewed frequently enough, such as ‘Increase recycling and composting’ and ‘Customer Survey and Continued Engagement’. Therefore, Members recommended that officers review the frequency that all KPIs will be reviewed and amend accordingly. Recommendation 3:- Members believed that the public would benefit from periodic reminders around what could be recycled and in which receptacle. Therefore, Members recommended that regular communications be used, as a way of providing clarity and reminders to all residents and businesses. In addition to the above, Members recommended that a visual tool could be used in order to further aid public understanding around what should and should not go into each waste and recycling receptacle, which could be used in roadshow environments. Recommendation 4:- With regards to the social contract required between the Council and residents/businesses for recycling purposes, Members recommended that officers explore the opportunity to re-frame it as a Charter, with key principles around respect and expectations. In terms of the Waste and Recycling Service Standards specifically, Members recommended the following: • Timescales should be included for responding to businesses regarding missed collections and other issues; and • Clarity was required around the presentation of items such as textiles, particularly around the use of carrier bags and making sure crews could ascertain the contents. Recommendation 5:- Members were pleased to hear about the focus on staff engagement, development and wellbeing within the Waste and Recycling department and recommended that this continues, and develops further where possible, in order to ensure improvement around staff recruitment and retention, which has been an issue in recent years. Recommendation 6:- Members acknowledged officers’ comments that the bulky waste collections service needed to be cost effective in order for the Council to operate it. However, Members recommended, as supported by the Executive Member and officers, that officers explore the use of a trial to assess the impact of reducing the cost of the service in order to attempt to increase the amount it is used by residents. The trial could assess the additional cost to the Council, compared to the cost of removing fly tipping, which is often the result of some residents not recycling appropriately. Recommendation 7:- In light of the risks attached to repair cafes, which rely on volunteers to operate, Members recommended that officers explore what level of support can be provided to interested parties around potential business opportunities associated with repair cafes, via Torfaen Business Direct. Members also suggested that bolstering the range of volunteers available within the community would make repair cafes, and other community-based services, more resilient for the future. Recommendation 8:- Members recommended that officers explore solutions to the challenges associated with managing bins in public places, in order for the Council to be able to segregate litter and recycling and thus assist with improving the Council’s recycling rate. Additional Comments & Observations from the Committee: Members praised Officers and the Executive Member for their contributions during the meeting and agreed with the direction of travel within the draft strategy. Considering the importance and impact of recycling services to all members of the Council, Members suggested that it would be of significant benefit to hold a Members Seminar to provide feedback from the recent door-to-door engagement programme to promote food waste recycling.
6.1 Members agreed that the item for Highway Asset Management Plan to come to the Committee at the next meeting.
7.1 The next meeting would be 10 April 2025. 7.2 The meeting ended at 6.25pm.
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