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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, subject to the above, the work programme as attached at Appendix 1 to the report COGC/72/24s be agreed.
AGREED:- i. That the committee thank the Lead Member and Officers for the progress report. ii. That a further report is scheduled for early in the New Year, to provide a clear action plan with updated recycling figures, financial modelling, and possible options to impose sanctions on households not recycling iii. That it be recommended:- (a) That educational campaigns and door step visits be increased, with Local Members being involved in any local targeted activity. (b) That a clear contact be provided for the public to raise any concerns following the implementation of any changes to waste collections. (c) That Officers compare and learn from waste collection practices in other local authorities. (d) That the current recycling containers be improved and Officers work with Welsh Government regarding potential funding in this respect.
The Minutes of the meeting held on 17 July, 2024 were submitted. Amendment to Minutes Minute Number 11 – Estate Management & Housing Enforcement During the ensuing debate, clarification was sought in relation to the situation where a person(s) in temporary accommodation who had reached the point of allocation and was settled in the TA, and where the criteria suited, then the option to remain in that property be granted. AGREED – That, subject to the amendment above, the Minutes of the Meeting held on held on 17 July, 2024 be signed as a correct record.
Decision as recorded
AGREED – That, subject to the above, the work programme as attached at Appendix 1 to the report COGC/72/24s be agreed.
The Chief Officer Governance and Customer submitted a report COGC/72/24s which allowed Members to consider the draft work programme of the Homes and Environment Scrutiny Committee attached at Appendix 1 to the report. The Scrutiny Facilitator presented the work programme and highlighted the following: · Grass cutting/Weed Control Update to be deferred from October to November, 2024. · Sports Pavilions and pitches – schedule for 19th February 2025 at 2pm. · Tackling Environmental Issues/Behaviour Change – to be removed from work programme – Information Report. · Estate Management and Tenancy Enforcement – A follow up report to be scheduled for committee in July 2025 at 10.30 a.m. AGREED – That, subject to the above, the work programme as attached at Appendix 1 to the report COGC/72/24s be agreed.
Decision as recorded
AGREED:- i. That the committee thank the Lead Member and Officers for the progress report. ii. That a further report is scheduled for early in the New Year, to provide a clear action plan with updated recycling figures, financial modelling, and possible options to impose sanctions on households not recycling iii. That it be recommended:- (a) That educational campaigns and door step visits be increased, with Local Members being involved in any local targeted activity. (b) That a clear contact be provided for the public to raise any concerns following the implementation of any changes to waste collections. (c) That Officers compare and learn from waste collection practices in other local authorities. (d) That the current recycling containers be improved and Officers work with Welsh Government regarding potential funding in this respect.
The Lead Member for Environment submitted a report (COET/30/42s) which asked members to consider a proposed strategy and action plan to improve recycling and reduce waste, it provided Members with updated information on the work done by the waste strategy team. In introducing the report the Lead Members made the following points · All Local Authorities in Wales are required to reach a statutory target of 70% of all waste being recycled by 2024/25. · Potential fines from Welsh Government would be at the rate of £200 per tonne, so for example a performance of 64% recycling rate for 2024/25 would equate to a fine of approximately £660,000 if imposed. · The Council had received a warning letter from Welsh Government citing its concerns over the performance and mitigation measures to meet the statutory targets and avoid fiscal fines. The Head of Service reminded members of the following: · Acknowledgement that this is a sensitive matter and there are difficult decisions to make, but as a local authority we need to address the matter now. We aim to work in partnership with the public. · Clarification that the amount of waste to be collected from households would not be reduced, the waste required separation. · The proposed reduction in the frequency of general waste collection would encourage residents to sort/recycle their waste. Attention was drawn to the frequently asked questions in Appendix 2. · The Committee had previously considered developments in this area of work with a view to meeting statutory targets of recycling 70% of waste by the year 2024/2025. The report gave an update on progress on the work that had been undertaken by the waste strategy team to educate the public about the process and benefits of recycling. · Wrexham Council’s recycling performance had declined since 2020, with 2023/24 only achieving 63.8%. This could be attributed to a wide range of factors, including: o changing behaviour o changes in packaging o seasonal variations impacting certain waste-streams, o restrictions at Household Recycling Centres (HRC’s), o industrial action o changes in waste composition · A number of initiatives had been undertaken in relation to improving the recycling rates within the borough · Reference was made to the Member Workshop held in June, which had been well received. The workshop had shown members the comparisons with other Welsh Local Authorities and various remodelling options · A reduction in the amount of waste · The financial implications of failing to comply could present a significant budget pressure to the Council The Vice Chair thanked the Lead member and Officer for the report although felt that there was insufficient evidence to show the suggestions in the report had been delivered and that the feedback from the workshop hadn’t been taken on board. The officer confirmed that activities and events had been undertaken and further events and activities had been planned over the following weeks. A discussion ensued and Members asked a number of questions including: · A request that local members be linked in to the exercises and events that had been schedule in their wards and suggested increased engagement with local members as well as venues where local people gather · Reference was made to the receptacles and whether or not they were fit for purpose. · Members referred to concerns from the public regarding delays in responding to requests for replacement recycling receptacles and food caddy liners, and missed bin collections. Officers advised that this was being addressed and that the percentage of missed bins was very low and had improved from the previous year. · Confirmation that the size of the general waste bin in Wrexham is 240 litres, collected fortnightly. This was double the Welsh Government recommended residual waste capacity of 60 litres per week and higher than most other authorities. · Head of Service confirmed that Welsh Government would look to assist with funding for replacement receptacles if there was a positive impact · Members commented that further education relating to recycling is required · Confirmation that other local authorities had been issued with fines due to failure to comply, these are preceded by a warning letter · Preference was sought on the waste collection options listed. · Clarification that Option 1, three weekly collections of residual waste, was the preferred option as there was maximum gain for minimal cost and would achieve just below the recycling target of 70%. It was emphasised that recyclable waste would continue to be collected weekly. · Officers agreed to provide further compositional analysis of the kerbside general waste collected and segregated. AGREED:- i. That the committee thank the Lead Member and Officers for the progress report. ii. That a further report is scheduled for early in the New Year, to provide a clear action plan with updated recycling figures, financial modelling, and possible options to impose sanctions on households not recycling iii. That it be recommended:- (a) That educational campaigns and door step visits be increased, with Local Members being involved in any local targeted activity. (b) That a clear contact be provided for the public to raise any concerns following the implementation of any changes to waste collections. (c) That Officers compare and learn from waste collection practices in other local authorities. (d) That the current recycling containers be improved and Officers work with Welsh Government regarding potential funding in this respect.
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