Agenda item

The Portfolio Holder for Environment advised that members were required to annually approve a rolling five-year business plan and highlighted that the key element of the plan this year were the changes to how garden waste payments would be made and the delegation of powers required to underpin the Somerset Waste Partnership’s advice, support and enforcement policy.  She expressed her thanks to the Somerset Waste Partnership (SWP) and the Council’s Environmental Services Team for their extraordinary effort in 2020 not only for dealing with Covid-19 and the implications that it had on waste including the closure of the waste and recycling centres but also the roll out of a new contractor which coincided with the first week of lockdown in March.

The Managing Director of the Somerset Waste Partnership provided Members with a detailed presentation on the work of the Partnership.  He referred to the following:

·         Key achievements of 2020 

·         Dealing with Covid-19 and its impact on services.

·         Outcomes of the Draft Business Plan 2012-25 to cover delivering excellent services, changing behaviours and tackling climate change.

·         A technical issue regarding the legal delegations had meant that SWP did not currently have the ability to issue Fixed Penalty Notices.  A refreshed Enforcement Policy would be considered by the Board in the Spring.  Members were therefore being asked to approve the renewal of the delegation of powers required to underpin the SWP’s advice, support and enforcement policy.

·         Roll out of Recycle More including:

      - key changes for residents

- engaging with parishes, members and the public

- digital engagement

- engagement with schools

- support for residents through the roll-out

- responding to residents requests

- maintain & improving service levels

- learning for future phases

- planned roll out timetable and likely South Somerset timescale

During discussion points raised by members included:-

·         It was pleasing to see the way that Somerset Waste Partnership were decarbonising residual waste.

·         As the new scheme was not expecting separation of waste in the same way as the previous scheme, it was crucial that the public were fully aware of the changes and provided with detailed instructions.

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

·         A report would be submitted to the Somerset Waste Partnership Board in June outlining various options for alternative fuelled fleet vehicles.

·         Separation of card and paper would continue to be required due to the grading of the material.

·         Additional Blue Bags could be ordered if households had a need for extra capacity.

·         A national consultation was expected during the year on the Deposit Return Scheme and extended producer responsibility.

·         SWP were looking to increase recycling for communal properties.

·         The garden waste payments were being extended to May 2021 due to the service being suspended in March 2020. 

At the conclusion of the debate, the Chairman thanked the Managing Director of the Somerset Waste Partnership and the Environmental Services Manager for attending the meeting and for all the work undertaken by their staff.  Members were content to approve the Somerset Waste Partnership draft Business Plan 2020-2021, noted the changes to how garden waste payments would be made in 2021 and, approved the renewal of the delegation of powers required to underpin the SWP’s advice, support and enforcement policy.