The Environment Scrutiny Committee of Gloucestershire Council met on Wednesday 15 July 2026 to discuss a range of environmental and infrastructure matters. Key topics included proposed charges for DIY waste at Household Recycling Centres, an update on the Residual Waste Contract, and a review of Gloucestershire's Climate Risk and Vulnerability Assessment Report. The committee also considered reports on litter management on highway verges, the Executive Director's report, waste management overview, and an update from Climate Leadership Gloucestershire. Performance data and the committee's work plan were also on the agenda.

Charging for DIY Waste at Household Recycling Centres

The committee was scheduled to consider a report outlining a forthcoming cabinet decision regarding the introduction of charges for DIY waste at Household Recycling Centres (HRCs). Under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, councils are obliged to provide sites for the public to deposit household waste free of charge. However, DIY waste is classified as industrial waste, and the council is not legally obligated to accept it. The report detailed proposed changes to the Controlled Waste (England and Wales) (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2023, which allow for charges to be applied to certain DIY waste.

The proposed policy would establish a Free Disposal allowance, permitting residents to dispose of up to two 50-litre rubble sacks or specific single items free of charge, up to four times in a four-week period. Waste exceeding these limits, or waste generated by hired contractors, would be subject to charges. These charges are intended to cover operational costs, haulage, and specialist processing. The implementation of a new booking system and cashless payment methods was also planned for autumn 2026 or early 2027.

Scope of the Residual Waste Contract

An update was scheduled to be received regarding the scope of the Residual Waste Contract. Gloucestershire County Council (GCC) has a 25-year contract with FCC (Gloucestershire) Ltd (formerly Urbaser Balfour Beatty Waste) for the operation of an energy from waste (EfW) facility at Javelin Park, near Gloucester. This facility treats household residual waste, diverting over 90% from landfill annually. The facility has a capacity of 190,000 tonnes per annum, with unused capacity filled by commercial waste. The process involves combusting waste to generate electricity, with approximately 50% of the energy produced classified as renewable. The report also touched upon the potential introduction of the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) for EfW facilities, which would require facilities to purchase carbon allowances for non-biogenic CO2 emissions.

Gloucestershire's Climate Risk and Vulnerability Assessment Report

The committee was set to consider the Gloucestershire Climate Risk and Vulnerability Assessment Report, convened by Climate Leadership Gloucestershire (CLG). The report provides an evidence base to understand key climate risks across the county, including the impact, likelihood, and overall risk posed by climate change hazards such as flooding, extreme heat, drought, and storms. The assessment was co-developed with over 40 organisations across the public and private sector. The report highlighted projected increases in heatwaves, wildfire events, and droughts by the 2050s, alongside increased winter rainfall and a greater risk of river and surface water flooding. The report also outlined existing adaptation projects and recommended future actions to bolster Gloucestershire's resilience. CLG had adopted high-level actions under the Adaptation theme of its workplan, focusing on coordination, commitment to adaptation, resilience of public estates, procurement, engagement with businesses and communities, embedding adaptation in plans, and greening the public realm.

Litter on Highway Verges

An item was scheduled to address the management of litter on highway verges. The report explained that district and borough councils are designated as litter authorities with a duty to keep highways clear of litter. Gloucestershire County Council, as the highway authority, is responsible for the highway asset itself, including verges, and plays a coordinating role, particularly on higher-speed roads where litter clearance requires traffic management. National Highways is responsible for litter clearance on the Strategic Road Network. The report noted that while volunteers and community groups contribute significantly, their efforts are limited to accessible areas and do not extend to high-speed roads or rural verges where traffic conditions present significant risks. The report concluded that preventing litter from being dropped in the first place, through behavioural change campaigns and education, is the most sustainable approach.

Executive Director's Report: Economy, Environment & Infrastructure

The committee was to receive an update on progress and proposals within the Economy, Environment & Infrastructure (EE&I) directorate. This report, to be taken as read, would cover a range of areas including highways, traffic and transport, economy and environment, planning and economic development, libraries, registration services, nature, climate and waste reduction, employment and skills, and corporate fleet. Forthcoming decisions were noted, including those related to charging for DIY waste, bus rapid transit, and transport schemes for M5 Junctions 9 and A46 (Ashchurch).

Waste Management Overview

An overview of waste management in Gloucestershire was scheduled to be presented. The report was to cover the scope of GCC's services, the roles of GCC and district councils, the importance of partnership working, and current performance and priorities for improvement. It detailed the statutory duties of a waste disposal authority under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, including arranging for the disposal of controlled waste and providing sites for household waste. The report also outlined core GCC waste service contracts for residual waste bulking and haulage, energy from waste treatment, garden waste composting, and food waste treatment. Information on Household Recycling Centres (HRCs), materials collected, and end destinations for recycled materials was also to be provided. The report highlighted Gloucestershire's 2024/25 performance, achieving a combined recycling rate of 50.5%, above the national average.

Climate Leadership Gloucestershire Update

An update report from Climate Leadership Gloucestershire (CLG) was to be noted. The report detailed discussions from CLG's meeting on 23 March 2026, including options for CLG's future model post-Local Government Reorganisation (LGR), and updates on LGR implementation. It also covered an internal behaviour change theme, with a proposed reduction of actions to nine priority areas. A demonstration of the Cero.Earth carbon accounting software was also planned. The waste theme update highlighted upcoming mandatory soft plastic film collections and the need for funding. Other discussions included the future of the Javelin Park incinerator and the potential for energy security and renewable deployment.

Quarter 4 2025/26 Performance Data

The committee was to review Quarter 4 2025/26 performance data. This report provides a strategic overview to monitor the council's performance and inform decision-making. It includes measures related to a Place to be Proud Of, focusing on the natural and built environment, climate change, and waste reduction, as well as road quality and safety. Performance data for renewable energy generation, direct emissions, and the percentage of household waste sent for reuse, recycling, or composting was to be presented. The report also included data on road repairs, structural maintenance programme delivery, jobs safeguarded, new businesses created, and the number of operational public EV charge points.

Work Plan

The committee was scheduled to review its work plan for future meetings. Members were invited to suggest items for consideration, with guidance on distinguishing between Overview, Scrutiny, and Information items. The work plan for 2026/27 was to be reviewed, with potential themes including land use, farming, renewable energy, quarrying, winter preparedness, road safety, climate change, highways, and planning.