Issue - meetings

The following decision taken by Cabinet on 8 July 2024 has been called in:

Fortnightly recycling proposal and supporting policies

The reasons for call-in, signed by 3 members, is as follows –

1. Lack of consultation with residents

2. Insufficient exploration of alternative cost-saving measures

3. Lack of detailed understanding of the broader impact

Full reasons are included in the attached documentation.

The following documents are attached –

(a) Proforma requesting the call-in of the decision signed by Councillors Khan, Bell and Ezeifedi received 15 July 2024

(b) Call-in procedures to be followed

(c) Extract of the minutes of Cabinet on 8 July 2024

(d) Report to Cabinet

(e) Appendix 1 to the report - Recycling frequencies (Herts Waste Partnership and neighbouring authorities)

(f) Appendix 2 to the report - Timeline – Simpler recycling and key contract dates

(g) Appendix 3 to the report - Housing trajectory

(h) Appendix 4 to the report -WRAP Recycling tracker survey

(i) Appendix 5 to the report - Options appraisal

(j) Appendix 6 to the report - Recycling project equality impact assessment

(k) Appendix 7 to the report - Communication and stakeholder management plan

(l) Appendix 8 to the report - Policy decisions presentation

(m) Appendix 9 to the report - 2024 Service change supporting policies

The Cabinet decision taken on 8 July 2024, minute reference 16, regarding the fortnightly recycling proposal and supporting policies, had been called in by Councillors Khan, Bell and Ezeifedi.  The reason for the call-in had been included in the agenda.  The committee had received a copy of the report and appendices to Cabinet, the minutes from Cabinet’s meeting, the completed call-in request and the call-in procedures.

The Associate Director of Planning, Infrastructure and Economy was asked to introduce the item. He explained that when a key decision was made, the decision could not be implemented until the call-in period had expired or the call-in process was complete. This item was to review the decision and the reasons for call-in within agenda packs. The committee would hear from all parties and ask questions and at the end had to decide to ratify the decision or to refer it back to Cabinet.

Councillor Khan was invited to present the reasons for calling in Cabinet’s decision.

Councillor Khan explained that, firstly, he felt that there had been a lack of adequate consultation with residents to enable the policy to be implemented correctly. This lack of engagement meant the council had insufficient feedback to determine its impact, particularly on larger families and those living in higher density areas.  Secondly, the decision had been taken to save money but there had been no comprehensive review of alternative cost-saving measures which would have a lower impact on a wider range of residents and would be less disruptive. Finally, there had been no detailed analysis of the impact on other services. The policy could result in an increase in litter, improperly stored waste, and addressing these would undermine any savings and have detrimental environmental implications.

The committee were invited to ask Councillor Khan any questions.

Councillor Khan was asked where he would find the necessary savings. He referred to Labour’s alternative budget which contained measures including efficiency savings, digitalisation of the council’s magazine and removal of the Political Assistant post which would provide annual savings of £138K.

The committee noted the equalities impact assessment that had been provided and asked what further information was needed to assess the impact. Councillor Khan advised that he wanted to focus on certain areas where residents already struggled to store the number of bins required and he noted the impact on pedestrians. Larger families had higher outputs and he also expressed concern about litter and fly-tipping.

It was noted that the government was bringing in service changes required by 2026, the committee asked about the risk of incurring further costs in the service. Councillor Khan stated that Watford was performing well in recycling and this would be a retrograde step.

Members discussed the nature of fly-tipped waste and whether it constituted recyclables or other waste, such as from construction. Councillor Khan’s concern was that more waste would be left out and the council would incur the cost of removal; a more proactive approach would be needed.

It was noted that some  ...  view the full minutes text for item 23

This item was deferred from the meeting on 3 June 2024.

Resolved –

1.      that the frequency of recycling collections be moved to fortnightly effective from October 2024. To effect low rise properties (houses and flat blocks of 5 or less) only.

2.      that the decision on the implementation of fortnightly recycling and any changes to the garden waste collection policy and terms and conditions be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Neighbourhood Services and the Mayor in consultation with the Associate Director for Environment and Communities.

3.      that blocks of 6 or more flats to continue to receive a weekly collection of dry recycling.

4.      that an Implementation Group, comprising the Mayor, Portfolio Holder, WBC Officers from the Service, Communications, and Veolia, be established to oversee the service change.

5.      that the service change to be supported by the Enterprise Programme Management Office (EPMO).

6.      that the change be accompanied by a new bin policy:

Watford Borough Council – Recycling Bin Policy

1.    Households of 4 or more permanent residents are entitled to an additional 240 litre recycling bin. Available on application.

2.    Households who currently have a 140 litre recycling bin are entitled to swap it for a 240 litre recycling bin. Available on application.

3.    All residents are allowed to put out additional side recycling if clearly marked or in a clear sack (presented next to their recycling bin on collection day).

4.    Extenuating circumstances of applicants who fall outside of the criteria in this policy will be considered at the council’s discretion.

          Excludes households with access to communal recycling facilities.

          Excludes blocks of flats with 6 or more properties.

It was noted that this item had been deferred from the previous meeting due to the Parliamentary election being called following the publication of the agenda for the June meeting.

Cabinet received a report of the Waste and Recycling Service Delivery Leads, which set out the option to move from a weekly collection of dry recycling to fortnightly. 

The Mayor invited Councillor Williams to introduce the report.

Councillor Williams explained that it was with a heavy heart he introduced this report.  However, due to the sustained underfunding of local government it was necessary to review all possibilities to save expenditure.  This had included the services provided by Veolia.  He informed members that the move from weekly to fortnightly collections of dry recyclables would produce a saving of £110,000 each year.  He advised that eight out 10 councils within Hertfordshire already collected dry recyclables on a fortnightly basis.  Watford was one of the last in the county to change to fortnightly collections.  Some councils were changing other waste collections to every three weeks.  This decision would align the council with 80% of other councils.  He noted that collections had been monitored and it had been recorded that 70% of collections were less than 50% full.  If any residents were concerned there would be options available including requesting a larger bin and, in some cases a second one.

The Waste, Recycling and Venues Lead informed members that the government had provided councils with additional funding to roll-out food waste collection further.  All new blocks of flats were being given food waste recycling caddies from the start.  The funding would also cover the extension of food waste recycling to all flats by 2026.

Councillor Williams assured members that the decision to make this recommendation had not been taken lightly.  He thanked the council’s officers and the Veolia team for compiling the detailed report before Cabinet.

The Mayor echoed his thanks to the teams for their work on this matter.  The Mayor invited Councillor Bell to ask questions.

Councillor Bell noted that Councillor Williams had referred to an annual saving of £110,000.  He asked whether any other options had been considered that may save a similar amount.  He added that it was necessary to make sure that those living in flats had access to recycling facilities.

The Mayor stated that every aspect of council expenditure had been reviewed.  He commented that the main issue for flats was food waste.

Councillor Williams responded that those residents living in high rise flats would continue to receive weekly collections.  It was only the low-level flats that would be affected by this decision.  He added that 25% of residual waste was food waste.  The level of residual waste could be reduced if food waste was disposed of in the correct way.  Further communication with residents was required.

The Mayor invited Cabinet to vote on the recommendations contained in the report.

Resolved –

1.      that the frequency of recycling collections be moved to fortnightly effective from October 2024. To  ...  view the full minutes text for item 16

Report of the Service Delivery Leads, Waste and Recycling

This item was deferred to the next Cabinet on 8 July.

As the Mayor report in minute number 4, this report would be deferred to the following Cabinet, which would take place after the Parliamentary Election.