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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 the work programme as attached at Appendix 1 to the report COCG/24/24s be agreed.
AGREED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 21 February, 2024 be signed as a correct record.
Decision as recorded
AGREED – That the work programme as attached at Appendix 1 to the report COCG/24/24s be agreed.
The Chief Officer Governance and Customer submitted a report COGC/24/24s which allowed Member to consider the draft work programme of the Homes and Environment Scrutiny Committee attached at Appendix 1 to the report. The Scrutiny Facilitator introduced the report, referring in particular to the changes since the last meeting of the Committee. · Decarbonisation Plan 2021-30 – agreed to defer from June to 17th July meeting to accommodate the scheduling of the Accommodation Project report in June, 2024. · A Topic Selection Form entitled Role of Tenancy Enforcement was submitted. · A Topic Selection Form entitled Role of Tenancy Enforcement was to be submitted to the next meeting. The recommendation agreed at the previous meeting for the Chair to write to Welsh Government regarding powers available to local authorities in respect of tenancy enforcement to be put on hold pending outcome of further more detailed discussions on this topic. AGREED – That the work programme as attached at Appendix 1 to the report COCG/24/24s be agreed.
The Lead Member for Environment, Councillor Terry Evans, submitted a report COET/11/24s requesting Members to consider developments in this area of work with a view to meeting statutory targets of recycling 70% of waste by the year 2024/2025. In introducing the report the Lead Member informed committee that all Local Authorities in Wales were required to reach a statutory target of 70% of all waste being recycled by 2024/25. He referred to the positive figures in 2019/20 when Wrexham had reached a recycling rate of 69.62%; however during and since the Covid-19 pandemic, this had reduced to 64.26% in 2023/24. This was attributed to a wide range of factors, including: · changing behaviour · changes in packaging · seasonal variations impacting certain waste-streams · restrictions at HRC’s (Household Recycling Centres) · overall reduction in waste arising The Lead Member referred to a visit to the Recycling Depot and expressed concern in relation to the huge amount of non-recyclable waste which was left at the end of the process, as this waste could result in the department being issued with a fine. Therefore, it was crucial to gain public support to assist the Council in achieving the 70% target. Chief Officer Environment & Technical, informed members that the department had, for a number of years, been modelling and predicting performance against the National Recycling Target. Whilst acknowledgement was given that Wrexham Council had dropped down a little in the Wales performance table, the Department was now focussed on the next steps. Head of Service (Strategy), Environment & Technical Services, Rachel Penman, gave an update on Wrexham’s position in relation to recycling and provided the following information: · Residual waste is currently collected in 240 litre capacity blue/black bins from households on a fortnightly basis. The capacity recommended by Welsh Government was 60 litre weekly. · Recyclable materials are collected on a weekly basis · The collected waste is processed through a PFI Contract run by FCC Environment · Our thorough processes of extraction from Wrexham’s residual waste had ensured that this Council was one of the highest performing authorities in Wales, however the Council was currently at risk of falling short of the 70% statutory target and receiving a significant fine. · The change to the Council’s position in the table attached to the report is due to others doing things differently. Waste processing in Wrexham was still very effective. This range of changes that others have made could account for the change in performance shown on the table. Action had been taken to improve recycling and reduce waste and reference was made to these actions which included: · A separate service for garden waste · Introduction of 2 different food caddies · Free compostable liners for food caddies · Food waste survey – to identify barriers to food waste recycling · Conduct of recycling participation surveys · Attendance at various events such as Play Day, Christmas markets etc to increase recycling at events and raise awareness of kerbside arrangements · Numerous national and local communication campaigns. Despite those efforts, a large volume of recyclable items were still being placed in the residual waste bin. A number of changes ahead could impact on performance in terms of waste and recycling; some of which will have significant impact on recycling performance. Some of the challenges include: · Changes to non-domestic waste regulations (ie trade waste) · Changes to handling and processing regulations for some waste streams (eg Persistent Organic Pollutants) · Likelihood of rising statutory targets post 2024/25 figure of 70% · Rising off-taker and transportation costs · Introduction of Deposit Return Scheme and Extended Producer Responsibility legislation · The challenge of decarbonising waste and recycling operations · In 2024/25 energy from waste SRF contractual allowance reduces from 22,000 tonnes to 19,000 tonnes. This could have cost implications of over £100k per annum based on current performance. Confirmation that an All Member Workshop is scheduled be held at the beginning of June 2024 where an update and a proposed action plan will be discussed. A discussion ensued and Members asked a number of questions including: · Query relating to the size of bins for residual waste and the frequency of collections. · Current and future suitability of household recycling receptacles, it was felt that the three tier trolley box was no longer fit for purpose, particularly the size of the cardboard/paper section. · Assurances were given that types of receptacles would be considered. · Assurances were given that the waste from fly tipping was recovered and recycled in the same way as other waste · The impact of industrial action forced changed collections which were unplanned. · Members agreed that moving forward the need for increased education and communication with the public regarding waste recycling is essential. · Suggestion that utilisation of the My Account waste collection notifications for promoting recycling, monitoring of missed bin collections and recycling participation could improve recycling by the public. · The need to undertake further work around missed bin collections, communications with the public and a review of recycling receptacles, prior to making any changes to the size of residual waste bins and/or frequency of collections, was emphasised. It was agreed:- i. To thank the Officers for the ongoing work to increase recycling which had been progressed within difficult circumstances. ii. To note that there will be opportunity for further discussion at the All Member Workshop being held on 4th June 2024. iii. To recommend to the Lead Member that a briefing including the areas outlined in this report be circulated to all Members in advance of the All Member Workshop in June. iv. That a report on the proposed strategy and action plan to improve recycling and reduce waste is submitted to Committee within six months, to include:- · Progress on the work done by the waste strategy team to educate the public about the process and benefits of recycling. · Detailed feedback from any further participation surveys and follow up work undertaken.
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