Agenda item

The Portfolio Holder for Waste and Recycling, introduced the report and drew Members attention to the proposed 3 weekly refuse collections and the enhanced recycling service.  She noted that although some residents were unhappy at the use of Dimmer as a Waste Transfer Station, the waste sent to Avonmouth would be converted into energy. 

Mr M Roberts then spoke on behalf of Cary Moor Parish Council.  He said Dimmer had a long and controversial history due to the poor access road.  The Managing Director of the Somerset Waste Partnership had said the site was time limited and it would close in some years however this appeared to contradict what had been said by planning officers and Viridor representatives at a SCC Regulation Committee meeting.  He expressed concern that information regarding the business case for siting a waste transfer station at Dimmer had not been made available and called for it to be provided. 

The Managing Director, Somerset Waste Partnership confirmed that he would share as much information on the business case as was possible, however, some relating to alternative sites was commercially confidential.  It had been important not to compromise the SWP’s negotiating position when looking at alternative sites.  He also mentioned that the permit scheme for commercial vehicles and trailers at Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRC’s) appeared to have been successful in reducing the amount of material coming in from outside the county. The issue of charging residents to use the HWRC in Crewkerne would need to be revisited due to change of law and this would be part of a wider review of recycling sites.  Further information on the Recycle More project would be issued in June 2017 and roll out in the SSDC area would commence in the autumn and conclude in 2018. 

The Chairman of the Scrutiny Committee said they had requested further information on refuse treatment and the Recycle More project, mentioned in the report.  They had also received representations from the public on the use of Dimmer as a Waste Transfer Station and they would be forwarding their concerns to the Somerset Joint Waste Scrutiny Committee and also to SCC’s Scrutiny Committee.  They were also pleased to note that the proposed new council for Taunton Deane BC and West Somerset Council was a low risk but required review of the inter-Authority agreement. 

In response to questions from Members, the Managing Director of the Somerset Waste Partnership advised:-

·         There were no immediate plans to relocate the waste vehicles away from the Lufton Depot, however, it was an aspiration to consolidate them in one central location at a future date.

·         The former Secretary of State for the DCLG had issued an Order stating that Community Recycling Centres must operate within S51 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and should not charge for admission.

·         It was usual for local authorities to enter into long term contracts without break clauses for projects of this nature, in order to secure the best price.  The Pennon Group were making a large investment and would not do so without certainty of supply from an anchor contract.  There was always a risk looking at the long term but the gate fee was competitive compared to the price most other Local Authorities had agreed for similar contracts and it was a very compelling deal.

·         The Waste Partnership enjoyed a good relationship with Viridor and if circumstances changed it may be possible with both parties’ agreement and where there was clear benefit to the local authority, to vary the contract at a future date if required. 

·         Although the Recycle More project would remove more plastic from incineration at the Avonmouth facility, it was environmentally preferable to recycle than generate energy from waste.

·        Many schools now covered recycling as part of their general curriculum. The actual recycling service provided to schools was much improved so children had the opportunity to recycle at school and take good practice home.

During discussion, two Members expressed their concerns at the decision by SCC to permit a waste transfer station at Dimmer and for this reason, they said they would abstain from voting.

The Portfolio Holder agreed to take the comments made by Members to the next Waste Board meeting on 24^th February. 

At the conclusion of the debate, Members were content to approve thedraft Somerset Waste Partnership Business Plan 2017-22 on behalf of the authority and requested that the reinstatement of funding for promotion of recycling in schools be included in the next iteration of the Plan.

(Voting: 6 in favour, 0 against, 2 abstentions)