Agenda item

A detailed report and presentation was presented by the Head of Environmental Services and the Environmental Operations Supervisor, which explained the business case for the introduction of a Garden Waste Scheme in Redditch with effect from February 2018.

The presentation covered in detail a number of areas, including:

·                Why the Council wanted to introduce a Garden Waste system in Redditch, including expanding the services available to residents and increasing revenue and recycling rates.

·                The results of the survey which had been carried out both online via social media and postal responses, which showed the demand was there for such a scheme.

·                The recycling rates for the Borough which for composting was the lowest in the County at 2.18%.

·                The cost of the service and the projected revenue which could be achieved from this.

·                How the introduction of the service would reduce the volume in the domestic waste stream.

·                How the system would work in Redditch – it would be operated by Bromsgrove District Council’s experienced Garden Waste Crews.

·                The service would commence on 27^th February 2018 and run until the end of November 2018, with 20 collections on alternate weeks throughout this period.

·                Information was provided on what could be included within the garden waste brown bin.

·                How the scheme would be promoted and the leaflets that would be provided to residents, together with details of information available on the website.

·                How residents could sign up to the scheme and the social media campaign that would run from October 2017.  Sign up could be through the website, by phone or at the One Stop Shops.

·                The first 2,000 people would receive a reduced set up fee of £10 before 31^st January 2018.  Payment was by direct debit only.

Following presentation of the report Members raised a number of questions, which were responded to by the Officers.  In particular Members raised concerns that a similar scheme had been piloted before and questioned whether in areas where only one or two residents signed up this was value for money.  It was also noted that some people might not be able to fill a whole bin or might need more than one.  Officers confirmed that it was possible for residents to “club” together and share a bin or for a household to have more than one bin.

As the recycling figures for composting were low, Members asked whether the Council should be doing more to promote composting and the availability of composters.  Officers confirmed that this was an ongoing campaign which was promoted throughout the Borough in conjunction with the County Council.  This provided an additional service for those already composting.

Whilst appreciating the data in respect of the levels of recycling, Members were mindful that the demographics of Redditch were very different to other areas, which were much more rural.  Members also asked whether there was a limit to the number of bins that could be issued and the system could cope with.  The Head of Environmental Services explained that initially there was capacity for 4,000 with the option to add another 800 if necessary.  The initial set up cost was discussed together with details of the discount scheme and the option for this to be reduced further or the period extended, Members also queried when the Council could see the benefit of the revenue that could potentially be raised and it was confirmed that this should be quite quickly following the first year of the scheme.  It was confirmed that the set-up fee was only payable for the first year and the subscription would roll over to the next year, with a letter being sent confirming this each year.

Members raised concerns around whether some residents would want to have a third bin to have to store and/or put out and officers advised that this was simply offering residents another form of recycling and it was their choice as to whether they wished to take up the offer.  It was commented that given the amount of time spent taking rubbish to the recycling centre the new scheme provided good value for money.

The Head of Environmental Services responded to the concern raised by Members in respect of the scheme which had been exploited previously and it was explained that there had been greater financial risk due to it being set up by the Council.  However as this scheme would be delivered by Bromsgrove District Council’s existing team that risk was greatly reduced.  The vehicles used also had a much lower environmental impact and this was a much more positive scheme going forward.

RECOMMENDED that

1)        from March 2018 Redditch Borough Council will introduce, and Bromsgrove District Council will run as part of the shared services agreement for Environmental Services, a seasonal (March to November inclusive) garden waste service on behalf of Redditch Borough Council;

2)        the charge will be £45 for the initial season to be increased in line with fees and charges as appropriate;

3)        a set-up fee of £20 per customer is charged in the first year of service and for new customers in each following year;

4)        an introductory offer of a £10 set-up fee will be used to encourage early sign up before 31^st January 2018;

5)        the Head of Environmental Services, in consultation with the designated Portfolio Holder, has authority to temporarily reduce or remove the set-up fee as promotional tool to increase and encourage subscriptions;

6)        should the Recommended Option be pursued, a capital commitment for the next four years of £31,000 in year 1 and £15,000 in years 2 to 4 is to be included in the capital programme;

7)        once the maximum number of customers has been approached a customer waiting list will be employed.  Officers will bring a further report and business case with options for extending the service should it be required;

8)        the chargeable Orange Sack Service is formally retired as part of the new service charges; and

9)        a communication plan is devised and implemented to advise residents of the changes to RBC waste collection service and the requirement to use brown bins only for garden waste.