Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Cleansing and Fleet Manager.

Place Scrutiny Committee considered the report at its meeting on 8 March 2018 and its comments will be reported.

The Cleansing and Fleet Manager presented the report on the outcomes of the business case undertaken by Eunomia Research and Consulting for the separate collection and recycling of food waste. Members were presented with a proposal that the current recycling service, without a food waste collection, should continue as the service option with the lowest modelled costs and lowest financial risk. The Cleansing and Fleet Manager explained that the business case for food waste collection would be reviewed every year as part of the Recycling Plan. The review would also take account of any developments in the technology for waste collection and treatment and changes in the markets for recyclable materials, and the evolving financial case for food waste collection.

The Portfolio Holder for Place stated that it was important that the Council remained ambitious in its long term plans to recycle food and expand the materials it recycled and it would review the situation on an annual basis.

A Member expressed his disappointment that the Council was not introducing a food waste collection.

The majority of Members acknowledged that the City Council did have good recycling rates and that the business case for a food waste collection would be reviewed annually. 

Place Scrutiny Committee considered the report at its meeting on 8 March 2018 and its comments were reported.

RESOLVED that:-

(1)        the continuation to provide the current recycling service (described as the ‘baseline’ of the circulated report) be approved;

(2)        officers provide an annual update on the food waste business case in the Recycling Place; and

(3)        the current and planned measures to improve the recycling rate achieved by the current service be noted.

(Councillor Leadbetter in accordance with Standing Order no.43 requested that his abstention from voting on this recommendation be recorded)

 To consider the report of the Cleansing and Fleet Manager.

The Cleansing and Fleet Manager presented a report and outlined Eunomia Research and Consulting’s business case for a separated collection and recycling of food waste in the city. The report included five different recycling and rubbish collection scenarios, with a comparison of cost and performance against that of the current service (the ‘baseline’) provided by Exeter City Council. There would be a requirement for additional recycling and customer support staff, with the option of food waste collection costing more than the baseline service, as well as coming with a degree of uncertainty and therefore financial risk to the Council. Members were presented with a proposed recommendation that the current recycling service, without a food waste collection, should continue as the service option with the lowest modelled costs and financial risk. The Cleansing and Fleet Manager explained that the business case for food waste collection would be reviewed every year as part of the Recycling Plan. The review would also take account of any developments in technology for waste collection and treatment and changes in the markets for recyclable materials, and the evolving financial case for food waste collection.

Councillor Musgrave attended the meeting and spoke under Standing Order 44 and expressed his disappointment that the recommendation was not to proceed with the collection of food waste at this time.  Exeter was the only local authority in Devon not to offer this service. He referred to a recent petition, which over 600 individuals had signed in favour of such a collection.  He was concerned that an expensive report had been commissioned, which could have provided an opportunity for additional revenue generation.

The Member Champion for Communities and Food Recycling referred to the consultant’s report, and he did not feel that the City Council should be asked to be burdened with such a significant expenditure when set against the current financial constraints and future uncertainty of such a commitment.  The Cleansing and Fleet Manager stated that the cost of the final consultant’s report was £16,240. Eunomia had been able to provide an informed report, with the costs, likely environment and performance of food waste collection. He reiterated that the collection of food waste remained an aspiration of this Council.

The Cleansing and Fleet Manager welcomed Members’ positive comments on the Cleansing and Recycling service and responded to the following points:-

·         Exeter City Council’s support on waste reduction through its dry recycling scheme, exceeded the rates achieved in most cases by the Devon and also the nationwide scheme. 

·         Exeter had been able to meet the stricter regulations from the implementation of China’s ‘Operation National Sword’, having the foresight to have an established Materials Reclamation Facility, (MRF) and offer high quality recyclables ensuring that export to China remained cost effective.  There was also a reduced environmental impact with the container ships returning with a return load of recycled materials from the U.K.  The streamed and separated material allowed the Council to continue to enjoy a market in the UK and Europe, despite the general  ...  view the full minutes text for item 17