Agenda item

To consider the report of the Head of Environmental Health Services – report circulated

The Head of Environmental Health Services presented the report informing Members of progress in implementing changes to the waste collection service, following a review into potential efficiency gains reported to this Committee previously.

It was noted that managers had conducted an indicative ballot of staff, and a large majority had rejected the option of a four day week. Given this level of opposition from staff after they had considered the new rounds, managers had decided, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder, not to pursue the four-day option. Subsequently, however, an indication had been received that staff wished to review their terms and conditions around task and finish, therefore there was an opportunity to take a fresh look at the four-day option alongside any other changes.

Since initial soundings indicating a positive response to the four day week, staff had been affected by the closure of the waste transfer station in Exeter and the subsequent directions by Devon County Council to take waste first to Heathfield and later to Greendale.

Members expressed concern at the length of time the recalculation of the rounds had taken and the associated costs. One Member felt that the working group had undertaken the review on the basis that a whole package of measures would be introduced whereas the final result had been the introduction of selected measures only.  The Head of Environmental Health Services clarified that this had not been the case and referred Members to the report they had received in January 2010.

The Head of Environmental Health Services stated that the Working Group had received the full information on options available and that the key change of remodelling of routes to be introduced from September, coupled with the expansion of alternate weekly collections, would yield significant savings. This work was not wasted as it could be adjusted to suit a five day week regime, if necessary. In addition, changes in operation brought about by remodelling the rounds would allow the disruption caused by Bank Holiday Mondays to be lessened.

Councillor Wardle moved and Councillor Boyle seconded the following motion:

“A Working Group be formed to investigate how a change in the bin collection from a five day to a four day working week could be proposed without first negotiating with relevant Trade Unions, the working group to comprise four members, one from each group, and the Chair of this Committee. The working group to report back to this Committee on how much the exercise cost and with recommendations on how to proceed in the future.”

The motion was put to the vote and lost.

Councillor Boyle requested that, in accordance with Standing Order No. 43, his name be recorded as voting in favour of this motion.

The Chair stated that the proposals for changing the cleansing regime should have been discussed first by this Committee and that there should have been early discussions with the Union. She also stated that a full package of measures should have been introduced. She asked that Executive be requested to revisit the issue.

Scrutiny Committee - Community requested Executive to instruct Officers to re-examine options for the operation of Domestic Waste Collection and Recycling Collections with a view to securing additional savings and for a further report on the service to be submitted to Members.

 (Report circulated)