Cabinet Member:
Councillor Catrin Wager
Consider the Scrutiny Investigation Group Report
Minutes:
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)
Supporting documents: