Agenda item

This report provides a summary of performance on the Medway waste contracts and performance for the contract year October 2022 to September 2023.

Discussion:

The Committee received a report setting out a summary of performance on the following Medway waste contracts for the contract year October 2022 to September 2023:

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).

Members praised the waste services in Medway and asked for their thanks to be passed on to operatives and officers for their professionalism and dedication to the service.

The following was discussed:

Bulky Waste Collections – In response to a question about the waiting times for bulky waste collections the Committee were informed that this was due to the resources available and the popularity of the service. The complexity of the boking service was also raised as a concern and officers explained that the booking service does need to be detailed to maximise the process and manage different waste streams effectively.

Recycling contamination levels – Members queried whether there were any communications that they could share with residents to help reduce contamination levels. Officers explained the supportive and engaging approach adopted to encourage recycling and possible ways to improve this were discussed. 

Street Cleansing – The impact of inclement weather on street cleansing was discussed. The Committee were informed that new machinery specifically for leaf clearing on footpaths was now available to the service as well as a specific supervisor in place to direct the waste clearing teams as appropriate. Some areas of Strood were also identified as a cause for concern with regards to street cleansing and officers responded to acknowledge that the service delivered may not always be able to match residents’ expectations however any particular issues identified would be responded to.

Medway Norse Contract – A Member asked about the continuation of the contract with Medway Norse. A query was also raised regarding the variation between the target and actual figure for the annual tonnage throughput in the table on page 54 of Appendix 3 to the report. Officers agreed to produce a briefing note for Members in response to both queries.

Vehicles – In response to questions about safety and air quality when procuring vehicles officers confirmed that new vehicles procured comply with Euro 6 standards for emissions and included the latest safety systems including 360-degree vision. Officers also informed the Committee that all drivers undertook an active training programme, monitoring, and annual assessments.

Black bins – The possible use of black bins as opposed to black sacks was discussed and officers explained that they deliver the service within the parameters established by the administration. The current vehicles could accommodate the use of black bins, but the collection of containerised waste was more time consuming for operatives and storage of bins can be an issue for different types of households.

Recruitment and Retention – Members queried data regarding the use of agency staff and temporary staff to permanent positions and asked what was being done to secure permanent staff without incurring agency costs. Officers informed the Committee that the normal route for recruitment was via the temp to permanent route with an agency as this allowed for a 12-week period in which training can take place and suitability for both parties can be established. At the end of the 12-week period agency staff were then converted to permanent staff without incurring additional costs.

Decision:

The Committee:

a)    Noted the report including the Annual Service Reports and other briefings set out in Appendices 1 through 5 to the report.

b)    Requested that the Committee be provided with a briefing note confirming the position regarding Medway Norse contract renewal and explaining the variation between the target and actual figure for 2022/23 for the annual tonnage throughput (page 54, Appendix 3 to the report).