Agenda item

Cabinet Member: Councillor Catrin Wager

 

Consider the Scrutiny Investigation Group Report

 

 

The report of the Waste Enforcement scrutiny investigation was submitted to the Cabinet Member, Catrin Wager.  All were reminded  of the background of the brief and Councillor Stephen Churchman, Chair of the investigation, provided a summary of the work undertaken. 

 

The Cabinet Member reiterated her gratitude to the members for their thorough investigation and for the good engagement work done with various groups of people.  It was acknowledged that the report was a fair reflection of the work and she welcomed the need to undertake county-wide promotion to raise awareness of the waste and recycling arrangements. She highlighted that the intention was not to start issuing fines immediately and creating an income from the introduction of Section 46 and 47 powers under the Environmental Protection Act (1990). She emphasised that every case would be dealt with individually and she referred to the Flow Chart that outlined the actions.

 

During the ensuing discussion, the following points were highlighted by individual Members:

·         That every situation needed to be assessed individually.

·         Suggested using black / clear plastic bin bags on troublesome streets so that the streets were clean and clear after collections.

·         Important to establish a procedure and adhere to changes

·         Welcomed the special collections - important to consider dignity and respect

·         Welcomed the proposal of speaking with individuals to resolve the problems - a number of small, narrow streets, stairs, lack of storage creating problems for some 

·         Waste collectors left a mess - it was not a good reflection that we were losing the waste that we were collecting!

·         Needed to ensure that the collectors closed the lorry doors when collecting

·         An increase had been seen in residents using public bins to dispose of their rubbish

·         Needed to punish companies that produced plastic

 

In response to the observations, the Chair of the investigation noted that the working group had accepted that the same arrangements did not work for all and therefore, a recommendation was sought to collaborate with other departments such as Housing and the Environment (Planning) to seek solutions.  It was also reiterated that the Service had reviewed its waste collection arrangements in the hope that practices and culture would change as a result.  It was hoped that staff would keep to the same routes and become familiar with people's needs and practices. It was noted that the changes would commence in Dwyfor (July 2019).

 

It was proposed and seconded to accept the six recommendations and to add a recommendation for the collection service workers to act appropriately so that the waste did not escape from the vehicles.

 

RESOLVED

·         to thank the working group for a thorough report

·         to accept the six recommendations included in the report 

 

1.    To use the powers of the Environmental Protection Act (1990), Sections 46 and 47, which related to waste receptacles, to introduce a new procedure, where and when required, to fine residents and businesses who dispose of their waste on the wrong day or in the wrong way, as a matter of priority.  

 

2.    To undertake a county-wide promotion campaign to raise awareness of the waste and recycling arrangements, focusing specifically on the City of Bangor and acknowledge the geographical and demographic differences in the county at different times of the year.  

 

3.    To place "QR Code" stickers on recycling receptacles to allow 24 hour access to residents to their waste and recycling collection days and information on items that can be recycled. 

 

4.    To formalise collaboration arrangements between Council Departments. 

 

5.    To raise awareness of the Clinical Collections Services and Collection Assistance Service available for older people and disabled people to dispose of their waste.  This can be done as a part of the wider promotion campaign.  

 

6.    Promote the current network of Recycling Centres and hold a specific campaign to promote the Bulky Waste Collection Service.

 

·         to include an additional recommendation proposed by the Committee's members 

 

7.    For the collection service workers to act appropriately so that the waste did not escape from the vehicles

 

·         to present a progress report on the implementation of the recommendations in six months' time following the Cabinet's decision on the first recommendation (see 1. above)