The Economy and Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee of Shropshire Council was scheduled to discuss the council's work programme and receive an update on pothole processes. A significant portion of the meeting was allocated to considering options for introducing weekly food waste collections, a new legal requirement.

Pothole Processes Verbal Update

The committee was scheduled to receive a verbal update on pothole processes from Andy Wilde, Service Director for Infrastructure. This item would have provided an opportunity to understand the current procedures for addressing potholes across Shropshire.

Economy and Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee Work Programme

A key item on the agenda was the discussion of the Committee's Work Programme for 2025-2026. This included reviewing potential topics for future inclusion, with the aim of ensuring the committee's work remained relevant and addressed key issues for the economy and environment of Shropshire. The report pack indicated a desire to refocus on committee member led topics and create capacity for task and finish groups to look at issues raised by members. ¹

Introduction of Weekly Food Waste Collections

The meeting was scheduled to consider the implementation of weekly food waste collections, a new legal duty arising from the Environment Act 2021 and subsequent Simpler Recycling Legislation, which requires councils to provide these collections to all households from 31 March 2026. The report pack highlighted that while Shropshire Council had received £3.6 million in capital funding, no ongoing revenue funding had been provided, presenting a substantial financial challenge. ²

Three options were presented for the committee's consideration, with a view to making recommendations to Cabinet:

• Option 1: Do nothing. This option would involve not introducing a new food waste collection service at this time, pending clarity on funding.
• Option 2: Introduce a fortnightly collection of food waste to all households collected with garden waste. This approach would utilise existing garden waste rounds and new caddies, providing universal access to food waste disposal.
• Option 3: Weekly food collection by introducing a fortnightly separate collection of food waste only. This option was noted as creating a £3.8 million annual financial pressure for the council.

The report pack detailed discussions around the financial implications, including the potential £3.8 million annual funding gap if Option 3 were pursued without adequate government revenue funding. It also addressed concerns about the legality of collecting food waste with garden waste, clarifying that the fee would remain solely for garden waste collection. The challenges of implementing such a service for residents in flats and Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) were also noted, with the need for alternative smaller container systems to be developed. The report indicated that Defra had rejected Shropshire's request for an exemption, as the council was already capable of collecting food waste with garden waste.

The report pack indicated that the committee was to consider these options and make recommendations to Cabinet, which was scheduled to consider the matter on 11th March 2026.