Agenda item

This report provides a summary of performance on the Medway waste contracts and performance for the contract year October 2020 to September 2021:

Veolia Environmental Services - providing waste disposal services for residual and recycling waste.

Medway Norse – providing waste collection, street cleaning services and management of Medway's Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRC).

Discussion:

The Committee received a report setting out a summary of performance on the following Medway waste contracts for the contract year October 2020 to September 2021:

·         Veolia Environmental Services – providing waste disposal services for residual and recycling waste.

·         Medway Norse – providing waste collection, street cleaning services and management of Medway’s Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRC)

The following was discussed:

• Waste Collections – The Committee congratulated Medway Norse on the continuation of the waste kerbside collections over the past 18 months throughout the Covid-19 pandemic but questioned whether any additional measures were being put in place to combat the continued problem of flytipping.

In response, the Head of Climate Response and Environmental Services thanked the Committee for its praise of the weekly waste collection service and advised that both officers and Norse were extremely proud of the service provided. She informed the Committee that officers and Medway Norse were in regular contact with the Council’s Enforcement Team and further work was planned for the future now that things were returning to normal after the Covid-19 pandemic. Joint partnership working continued particularly if there were known hotspots and she suggested that if any Member had an area in their Ward that was known to be a flytipping hotspot, they should report this to officers for investigation.

• Litter bin clearance and street cleansing – Attention was drawn to issues concerning litter bin clearance and street cleansing and it was questioned as to whether this was down to lack of funding or staffing levels.

Melanie Tong from Medway Norse advised that unfortunately, along with many other businesses nationwide, staffing levels at Norse had been impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic and the need for staff to self isolate and, in addition, Norse had been experiencing driver shortages. Whilst Norse aimed to retain a small pool of drivers that could be called upon in times of emergency, a shortage of 15 HGV drivers had impacted the service. To help keep services operational, Managers and Supervisors had been out driving vehicles. She advised that although Norse undertook regular induction sessions in an attempt to increase HGV staff, few resulted in posts being filled.

She confirmed that any underspend on salaries was currently being absorbed by the requirement to pay overtime to staff for additional hours/days.

It was confirmed that litter bin clearance had been a challenge during the pandemic as dog ownership had increased and more people were at home and using local facilities for recreation. Whilst it had not been possible to increase the frequency of litter bin clearance, the possible introduction of additional or larger bins at popular sites was being considered.

The Committee noted that Medway Norse continued to support High Street cleansing and Medway events.

• Recycling of plastics – In response to a question as to why there was no receptacle for plastic recycling at Hoath Way HWRC, the Head of Climate Response and Environmental Services advised that a few years ago, unfortunately the plastic recycling market for these types of materials had ceased. However, a new outlet has recently been introduced which was able to recycle certain types of plastics and was currently being trialled at Capstone HWRC. Once the system had completed its trial it would be rolled out to other HWRCs.

• Confusion over Medway Norse bags and general refuse – Attention was drawn to an issue whereby on occasion, Medway Norse bin bags were left for collection at the end of the day, or sometimes on a Friday for collection on Monday and this led to confusion for residents who thought that the weekly refuse collection had not yet been picked up and then added their own bags to the pile. It was suggested that Medway Norse consider changing the colour of their bin bags so as to differentiate between Norse bags and general refuse.

In response Melanie Tong confirmed that Norse had just placed a large order for bin bags to cover the next year. Sadly, it was not possible for Norse to obtain different colour bags as black bags with Norse name printed in green text were the cheapest available on the market. She accepted that this did occasionally create confusion for the public but confirmed that this problem had also arisen when Veolia used grey bags. However, she agreed to investigate the possibility of ensuring an earlier collection time on a Friday so that the bags were not left in situ into the evening or over the weekend.

• Street cleansing in flatted areas – It was suggested that Norse increase street cleansing in those areas where there was a high density of residential accommodation and a subsequent accumulation of litter in the streets.

It was also suggested that the street cleansing team not be restricted to cleansing pavements when it was clear that there was litter in close proximity e.g. alleyways.

In response, the Head of Climate Response and Environmental Services advised that the benefit of moving all services to Norse enabled joined up working of teams. Due to the pandemic, plans to progress joined up working had been delayed but work was now underway to investigate improvements and better ways of working.

• Wait times for bulky waste collection – Melanie Tong confirmed that there was currently a 2 – 3 week wait for a bulky waste collection.

• Locations for leaving refuse collection for pick up – Melanie Tong advised that the usual place for refuse to be left for collection would be at the front door of a property or at the boundary nearest the highway. She noted the concern raised at the meeting about refuse having been left uncollected at a particular location and requested that information be supplied as to the specific address. If this related to refuse left on collection day and not flytipping, this could be investigated.

• Litter and refuse at Watling Street shops – Melanie Tong agreed to investigate concern that litter and refuse was not being cleared from around Watling Street shops.

• Recycling of organic waste – The Head of Climate Response and Environmental Services confirmed that all organic waste was processed and specially treated before being used as a soil conditioner on farmers’ land. She confirmed that the service had collected an exceptionally high level of garden waste during the past year and had not yet returned to pre- pandemic levels.

• Booking slots at HWRCs – The Committee questioned whether it would soon be possible to book slots at HWRCs for the same day if there were vacant time slots available.

The Head of Climate Response and Environmental Services advised that if the pre-booking system was retained, the possibility of booking on the same day would be investigated.

• Electric vehicles and IT systems – The Head of Environmental Services confirmed that the introduction of electric vehicles was being investigated along with the power services that would be required and it was likely that one vehicle would be trialled before Christmas.

She also advised that the current ‘in cab system’ had been upgraded this week following an 18 month delay due to the pandemic and this would now permit improved communications.

• Recycling of mattresses – The Head of Climate Response and Environmental Services informed the Committee that the mattress recycling contract continued and mattresses were separated from waste at HWRCs and all elements of a mattress were individually recycled.

• A289 – Water basin – It was suggested that this was a hot spot area for the flytipping of builders waste that that this should be investigated.

Decision:

The Committee:

a)     noted the report and appendices 1 and 2 and expressed appreciation to officers, Veolia and Medway Norse for the services provided.

b)     requested that information be provided as to those locations where the possible provision of additional or larger litter bins are being considered.