To consider
a report on the main findings [to date] from implementing the arrangement in
the Meirionnydd Area.
Minutes:
a) Submitted
- the report of the Cabinet Member for the Environment reporting on the main
findings of implementing a new system of collecting residual waste in the
Meirionnydd Area. It was highlighted that the main objective was to increase
recycling to avoid paying fines. The recycling target of 58% had to be reached
by March 2016 and therefore the arrangements needed to be supported. It was
explained that the targets, which were being set out by the Central Government,
would continue up to 2025, whereby a recycling target of 70% would be required.
It was highlighted that this was the situation facing every Council.
The changes in Meirionnydd had been introduced
in June 2015 and in line with the arrangements of the Dwyfor
Area, two teams had been established to be responsible for introducing the
change - the Executive Team and the Engagement Team. In general, it was noted
that the arrangement had been successful and that the figures appeared
encouraging. One different element in Meirionnydd was the number of community
points, but it was now reported that 30 of those 140 points continued to
receive residual collections every two weeks.
The Cabinet Member thanked Meirionnydd
residents for their cooperation and also Dwyfor residents
for maintaining their performance. It was reported at the end of November that
Gwynedd's performance figures (in terms of the National and Statutory measure
for recycling) was 58.52% and that these changes were targeted to achieve
annual programmed savings of £350k for the Council, which was in addition to
not having to pay fines.
b) During the discussion, the following
observations were made:
• Thanks
were expressed for the reports and it was accepted that the arrangements moved
the service in the right direction.
• The
workforce was thanked for their service during the severe weather
• Concerns
were highlighted about community areas
• Was
there an increase in fly tipping?
• Needed
to continue to improve tidiness after collecting waste
• The
Assembly needed to be reminded again of the need to reduce packaging materials
• It
was frustrating that some residents refused to collaborate
• What
was a 'wash and squash' campaign?
• Needed
to focus on areas containing many houses
• Needed
to respond to areas where there was a lack of bin storage space
• A
suggestion for the Planning Department to consider 'adequate provision' of bin
storage for every relevant application
• When
considering street bin recycling - emphasis on simple and clear messages
• People
needed to be educated to learn that recycling contributed to their own benefit
for the future
• Emphasis
on engaging with communities with a request for the executive groups used in Dwyfor and Meirionnydd to collaborate with specific areas
to improve sites
c) In
response to the above observations, the Head of the Highways and Municipal
Service noted that he was very pleased with the work of the workforce and what
they had achieved within difficult terms and conditions over the period of
severe weather and the Christmas period.
In addition, it was noted that there was an
increase in fly tipping, but that this was a pattern which had been seen across
Britain and that heavy items such as fridges and construction produce were
being tipped and not waste which was collected from houses. The need to
implement was agreed upon and members were asked for their support to report on
any occasion where fly tipping was/had happened.
In the context of dirty waste (wash and squash),
it was reported that this material was being recycled, but that the condition
of dirty items provided a cheaper price and the need to share this message with
the public was accepted. In terms of tidiness, it was reported that Gwynedd had
four new vehicles which aided the workforce and prevented materials from
blowing away when they were working.
d) In
response to a question regarding the need for an incinerator in Deeside given
that there would be a possible decrease in the input, it was noted that the
incinerator, when active, contributed 7% to the aim.
e) In
response to a question regarding more frequent collections in student and
holiday home areas, it was noted that very successful campaigns had been held
with students and that there was good collaboration with the Abersoch Holiday Home Agency on establishing a plan for
holiday homes in the area. It was also reported that specific work had been
undertaken with Commercial Waste and that there was a significant improvement
as a result to a change in arrangements, provision and introducing differential
fees to retailers.
f)
It was accepted that the challenge for the future was a difficult one and it
was therefore important to have accurate preparations in place. It was
reiterated that the intention was to respond to every community challenge and
that it was ongoing work. The current efforts were appreciated and a
continuation in good collaboration was encouraged in order to respond to
problems/challenges. The observations were appreciated.
RESOLVED
a)
that the Committee is pleased to see
an increase in the waste collection and recycling arrangements and that it was
eager to record its appreciation of the staff's hard work, especially during
the severe weather
b) that the Committee
viewed the need to address some matters as the work was progressing:
·
that the Cabinet Member needed to
continue to pressurise the Government to do something about reducing the
packaging material of goods
·
Information should be shared with
the Members in general regarding the 'wash and squash' developments to improve
the hygiene of the materials being collected
·
the Members hoped to see a further
improvement in the tidiness when collecting, and were confident that the new
machines would facilitate this
·
That creative solutions should
continue to be sought to the challenges of collecting in populated areas
through developing community bins
·
That a further increase should be
ensured in the engagement and dialogue with residents in order to further
improve recycling.
·
Need to ensure that on-street
recycling arrangements moved on with an emphasis on having simple and easy to
read messages for the public on those arrangements
CHRISTMAS AND BOXING DAY ARRANGEMENTS
a) It
was noted that Christmas and the severe weather had maximised problems and
therefore steps had been identified to progress. In general, it was noted that
the service had been very good under very difficult circumstances in
Meirionnydd and Dwyfor, with some confusion during
the changes in Arfon. Despite observations in the
press, during Christmas it was confirmed that Arfon's
arrangements had been good, and that there was now an opportunity to learn
lessons and to move on.
Supporting documents: