Agenda item

This report provides an update on the activity carried out by Veolia Environmental Services providing waste and recycling collection, waste disposal and street cleansing services and FCC providing management of the three household waste recycling centres.

Discussion:

The Acting Head of Waste Services presented a report setting out an update on the activity carried out by Veolia Environmental Services in the provision of waste and recycling collection, waste disposal and street cleansing services and FCC in the management of the three household waste recycling centres.

Melanie Tong from Veolia and Jon Mawyer from FCC were in attendance and undertook brief presentations to the Committee on their individual company’s annual service reports.

During her presentation, Melanie Tong referred in particular to the delays that had occurred with the collection of waste over the Christmas/New Year period. She explained that the days upon which the Bank Holidays fell had affected collections in the rural zones of Medway on the Friday and in Lordswood on the Monday and that over the holiday period, Veolia had collected an additional 300 tonne of waste which equated to 30,000 additional bags of refuse. She advised that the delays were regrettable but confirmed that waste was collected as quickly as possible. She advised that across the country, many local authorities had not returned to normal collections until late January.

Melanie Tong and Jon Mawer then answered Members’ questions as follows:

·         Use of collected waste – In response to a question as to whether Veolia was able to use all waste or whether a proportion of it was being sold on outside of the UK, Melanie Tong advised that currently bulky waste was exported to Holland.

·         Possible review of the layout of Cuxton Recycling Centre  - A Member suggested that consideration be given to the layout of the recycling centre at Cuxton as customers who wished to dispose of an appliance were currently required to queue with those who wished to dispose of general rubbish. In response, Jon Mawer confirmed that this would be investigated to assess whether there were options available to alleviate this problem.

·         Street Cleansing October/September – A Member questioned why the level of street cleansing tonnage had reduced considerably in September/October 2015 in comparison with the level collected in earlier years. In response, Melanie Tong advised that there was now a different reporting method to that in 2012/13 as materials were now separated and this had contributed to the difference in the figures reported.

·         Christmas/New Year Collections – A Member referred to the issue of the delays in the Christmas/New Year Collections and asked Veolia what lessons had been learnt in respect of communications. In response, Melanie Tong agreed that there was room for improvement in communicating information on collection dates both in Medway Matters and in day to day communications and she apologised for the problems experienced in 2015/16. She advised that other local authorities had experienced similar issues with the way that the Bank Holidays fell in 2015/16 and the increase in tonnage of waste to be collected. This had been compounded by the refuse vehicles having to queue for lengthy periods at the transfer station. She confirmed that refuse collectors had worked from 7am – 7pm to clear refuse and that the transfer station had remained open until 9pm to alleviate the problems. She reassured Members that it was not envisaged that similar problems would occur in 2016/17 as the Bank Holiday dates did not fall over a weekend.

Members expressed appreciation to the refuse collectors for the work that they had undertaken in ensuring that refuse was collected as quickly as possible.

·         Blue and White recycling bags – In response to a question as to whether people were continuing to use both blue and white recycling bags, Melanie Tong confirmed that whilst the blue bags were continuing to be used, many people preferred to use the clear sacks rather than the white bags for non paper waste.

·         Recycling in flats -  A Member requested an update on the issue of availability of recycling in flats. In response, Melanie Tong confirmed that following a joint audit, a number of flats had been identified as being suitable for recycling collections. She agreed to provide a list of the flats where recycling would be introduced to elected Members. It was intended that where possible wheelie bins would be provided which would be clearly numbered with the block number or the name of the block on them.

It was noted that it was not possible for recycling facilities to be provided at all flatted developments owing to the limited space available.

A Member suggested that when residents move into new flatted developments the Council be proactive in ensuring that recycling facilities are available and known to residents.  

·         Recycling rates – A Member sought clarification on the recycling rates and how these were calculated. In response, the Acting Head of Waste advised that the Recycling Performance Indicator 192 was a nationally audited figure.

The Assistant Director Front Line Services drew attention to a number of factors that can affect the Council’s recycling collection rates, such as seasonal green waste, individuals choosing to replace less items and companies offering to take appliances away when delivering new items.

·         Satisfaction levels at recycling centres – In response to a question as to the satisfaction levels at recycling centres, the Acting Head of Waste confirmed that these figures were supplied by the recycling sites and were compiled by an independent company.

Decision:

The Committee

a)            noted the content of the report including the annual service updates provided by Veolia and FCC in Appendices 1 and 2  to the report; and

b)            noted that Veolia will be providing a number of wheelie bins at flatted developments which will be identified by either the number or name of the block of flats.