Report of the Group Head of Community and Environmental Services

This report seeks approval for a change of date for the implementation of the Waste and Recycling contract variation.

1.         that the contract with Veolia be varied with effect from 7 September 2020 in relation to waste and recycling services provided in Watford as set out below:

            a) The introduction of a weekly collection of food waste (with a new 23 litre kerbside brown bin provided to all households identified)

            b) Retention of a weekly collection of fully commingled recycling (using a blue-lidded bin).

            c) The introduction of a fortnightly collection of non-recyclable waste (using existing black bin)

            d) The introduction of a chargeable fortnightly collection of garden waste (using existing green bins), which is accessed via a yearly subscription.

2.         that the charges for the fortnightly collection of garden waste is as set out below, the same charges also apply to each additional green bin. The charges apply from 1^st September 2020 to 31^st August 2021 and are applied on these anniversary dates on an annual basis. Residents are able to have up to a maximum of seven green bins per household:

            - Standard annual charge of £45.00 (per bin)

            - Standard annual charge reduced to £40.00 (per bin) if paid by direct debit

            - Customers in receipt of certain income based benefits will be entitled to a concessionary rate of £35 (per bin) (no further reduction if paid by direct debit)

3.         that agreement of the detailed operational changes required and agreement to the final terms relating to the variation of the contract with Veolia and all other matters arising from this service change be delegated to the Group Head of Community and Environmental Services.

Cabinet received a report of the Group Head of Community and Environmental Services which sought approval to revise the implementation date of the service changes agreed on 6 January 2020. The proposal was to amend the implementation date to 7 September 2020 and the annual payment date to 1 September 2020.

Councillor Williams, as Portfolio Holder, highlighted the original report which required the introduction of the changes to service from 1 July 2020.  The two month delay allowed Veolia to deal with relevant issues to do with the current crisis.  He thanked the Veolia team for maintaining all services throughout the current crisis, which he asked officers to pass on to the company.  He was aware that the public show of thanks for their work was appreciated by the teams.

Councillor Bell also wished to pass on his thanks to Veolia and praised them for not cutting services.  He questioned whether September was the correct time to bring in the changes to the service.

Councillor Williams noted there was a risk of proposing September as a start date.  He reminded members that the new charge was for a full year, September to August, and not to April.

                     RESOLVED –

1.         that the contract with Veolia be varied with effect from 7 September 2020 in relation to waste and recycling services provided in Watford as set out below:

            a) The introduction of a weekly collection of food waste (with a new 23 litre kerbside brown bin provided to all households identified)

            b) Retention of a weekly collection of fully commingled recycling (using a blue-lidded bin).

            c) The introduction of a fortnightly collection of non-recyclable waste (using existing black bin)

            d) The introduction of a chargeable fortnightly collection of garden waste (using existing green bins), which is accessed via a yearly subscription.

2.         that the charges for the fortnightly collection of garden waste is as set out below, the same charges also apply to each additional green bin. The charges apply from 1^st September 2020 to 31^st August 2021 and are applied on these anniversary dates on an annual basis. Residents are able to have up to a maximum of seven green bins per household:

            - Standard annual charge of £45.00 (per bin)

            - Standard annual charge reduced to £40.00 (per bin) if paid by direct debit

            - Customers in receipt of certain income based benefits will be entitled to a concessionary rate of £35 (per bin) (no further reduction if paid by direct debit)

3.         that agreement of the detailed operational changes required and agreement to the final terms relating to the variation of the contract with Veolia and all other matters arising from this service change be delegated to the Group Head of Community and Environmental Services.