The Environment Select Committee of Wiltshire Council met on Wednesday 3 June 2026 to discuss a range of environmental and operational matters. Key decisions included noting the outcomes of an electric refuse collection vehicle trial, which found it best suited for urban environments, and endorsing the next phase of the Planning Improvement Programme aimed at enhancing service delivery. The committee also received updates on economic development, regeneration activities, and the progress of various task groups.

Electric Refuse Collection Vehicle Trial

The committee reviewed the findings of an eleven-month trial of a 26-tonne electric refuse collection vehicle (eRCV). The trial concluded that eRCVs perform best in urban and suburban environments on short, return-to-base routes, offering benefits such as reduced noise pollution and improved local air quality. However, current depot infrastructure and commercial electric charging facilities are insufficient to support widespread adoption. Financially, while eRCVs have a higher upfront cost, their operating, maintenance, and fuel costs are considerably lower than diesel models. The report recommended developing a Waste Fleet Strategy for 2028-2038 to incorporate eRCVs and other sustainable fuels, and to integrate this strategy into the emerging Depot Programme. The trial vehicle is proposed to continue in operational use, ideally within Salisbury, aligning with the city's electric bus project.

Compliance with Simpler Recycling Requirements: TEEP Assessment

A report was presented on the Written TEEP (Technically, Environmentally and Economically Practicable) Assessment conducted to comply with Simpler Recycling Regulations. The assessment concluded that separating paper and card from other mandated recyclable materials is not technically practicable in Wiltshire at this time. Significant economic barriers were identified, including the lack of additional government funding, substantial increases in operating and capital costs (estimated at £2 million per annum and £2.96 million respectively), and higher service costs for properties with limited storage. Operational constraints such as depot and infrastructure capacity, vehicle operator licence limitations, and geographical routing considerations in the predominantly rural county were also highlighted. The report noted that even with separate collection, the current Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) in Calne would still require processing, and its expansion is limited by physical and planning constraints. Consequently, Wiltshire Council will continue to operate its co-mingled dry recycling service, excluding glass.

Planning Improvement Programme Update

The committee received an update on the Planning Improvement Programme, which was established following a Planning Peer Review in May 2023. The programme has delivered significant changes across five key themes: Resilient Workforce, Robust and Transparent Governance Structure, Effective Place Shaping, Excellence in Customer Service, and Efficient and Innovative Ways of Working. Key achievements include a successful recruitment campaign that brought 55 new officers into post, stabilising workloads and reducing agency costs. Governance reforms have strengthened consistency and accountability through member training and new reporting templates. The service has also focused on improving customer engagement through newsletters, forums, and a new public feedback system. While 14 out of 18 peer review recommendations have been implemented, three are still in progress, and one (reduction in planning committees) has been paused pending national changes. The committee was asked to endorse the next phase of the programme, which will focus on continuing these improvements over the next 12 months.

Economic Development and Regeneration Activity Update

An update was provided on Wiltshire Council's economic development and regeneration activities, aligning with the priorities of the Our Wiltshire Plan. The report detailed the outcomes of programmes that concluded in 2025/26, including the Future High Streets Fund, which secured £25 million for Trowbridge and Salisbury, and the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and Rural Prosperity Funding, which invested over £5.7 million. Ongoing activities were also outlined across three themes: Creating Great Places, Inclusive Growth, and Investment, Innovation and Growth. This included updates on housing enabling targets, town centre projects, the Local Visitor Economic Partnership, and the Wiltshire Towns Programme. The report also covered the Swindon and Wiltshire Growth Hub, the Enterprise Network, Project Gigabit, and business engagement initiatives.

Updates from Task Groups and Representatives on Programme Boards

Updates were received from the Waste Transformation Task Group and the Climate Emergency Task Group. The Waste Transformation Task Group reported on its recent meetings concerning the approach to service changes, including the introduction of food waste and flexible plastics collection, and the Household Recycling Centre (HRC) booking system pilot. The Climate Emergency Task Group had not met since the previous committee meeting. An update was also provided on the newly formed Highway Repair Task Group, which held its initial scoping meeting to discuss its terms of reference and methodology.

Cabinet Member Update

Cabinet Members provided verbal updates on their respective portfolios. Councillor Martin Smith, Cabinet Member for Highways, Streetscene, and Flooding, reported on the completion of safety works at the A360 Black Dog junction and the opening of the new Chippenham train station forecourt. He also confirmed ongoing pothole repair efforts and the near-publication of a major maintenance programme. Councillor Mel Jacob, Deputy Leader of the Council, provided an update on the Local Plan, noting that the Planning Inspectorate had presented the Council with two options: withdraw the plan or face a recommendation for non-adoption. A Members' Briefing was scheduled to discuss this further.

Forward Work Programme

The Committee noted and received updates on the progress of items on the Forward Work Programme. The rapid scrutiny exercise on the environmental impacts of closing the Purton and Lower Compton Household Recycling Centres was cancelled following the decision to extend the life of both sites. The Committee agreed to set up a Task Group to examine pothole repairs, machinery, materials, and traffic management, drawing on experiences from other local authorities.

The next meeting of the Environment Select Committee was confirmed for 23 July 2026.