Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Date of Decision: June 26, 2025

Purpose: To approve changes to the waste service to meet the Simpler Recycling requirements of the Environment Act 2021

Content: That the Cabinet:   Approves Option B as presented within the report as the preferred delivery model for collecting waste and recycling from households.   Approves the placing of an order for food waste collection vehicles and wheeled bins in 2025/26, subject to the budget being confirmed.   Recommendations to Council from Cabinet:   That Council approves drawing forward £3.150m from the Capital Programme allocation for 2028/29 and 2030/31 into 2026/27 to fund the capital costs of purchasing food waste collection vehicle and wheeled bins.   That Council approves rephasing of £0.735m in the Capital Programme allocations for Food Waste for 2025/26 into 2026/27 to fund the capital costs of purchasing food waste collection vehicles.   That Council approves rephasing of £0.225m in the Capital Programme allocations for refuse and recycling vehicles for 2025/26 into 2026/27 to fund the capital costs of purchasing new refuse collection vehicles.   That Council approves an addition of £3.771m to the Capital Programme in 2026/27 to fund the capital costs of purchasing food waste collection vehicles and wheeled bins.  

Reasons for the decision: ·         Enables the Council to meet the legal obligation placed on local authorities to provide a separate weekly food waste collection. ·         Enables the Council to meet the legal obligations placed on local authorities to provide an effective and efficient waste management service. ·         Provides the most cost-effective option based on future annualised modelled costs. ·         Ensures the Council is in the best position to transition. ·         Makes use of capital already allocated in the agreed Capital Programme for waste fleet renewal in 2027/28-2030/31

Alternative options considered: ·         Option A – This delivery model follows the same principles as Option B, with the exception of a 180l bin for residual waste. The provision of a smaller residual waste bin was considered too restrictive following Member feedback. Residents will be transitioning from unlimited weekly collections under the current delivery model and it is considered that a 240l bin will provide greater capacity for residents to manage and adjust to the change. Option A would require £189,450 less of capital investment compared to Option B. There would also be a further revenue saving of £20,500pa achievable under Option A. ·         Option C – This option has been discounted due to the requirement to run additional fleet to enable a full round sack collection to continue. It is also considered that asking households to retain dry mixed recycling for 4 weeks in sacks is unlikely to improve recycling rates. ·         Wider options analysis – A number of models for service delivery have been reviewed and discounted for not meeting the statutory and legislative requirements and for the financial costs. ·         Do nothing – this is not an option as the introduction of separate weekly food waste collections is a statutory requirement, and the cost of the current service is financially unsustainable.