The Environmental Scrutiny Committee of Cardiff Council met on Thursday, 8 October 2026, to discuss the draft Recycling and Circular Economy Strategy and the Council's response to the Gwaelod-y-Garth incident. The committee also reviewed its work programme for the upcoming year.

Recycling and Circular Economy Strategy

The committee undertook pre-decision scrutiny of proposals to initiate a public consultation on the draft Recycling and Circular Economy Strategy 2026-2030. Councillor Ed Stubbs, Cabinet Member for Waste, Street Scene and Environmental Services, presented the strategy, which aims to reduce waste, increase reuse and repair, and improve recycling performance to meet the Welsh Government's statutory target of 70%.

Key discussion points included:

• Consultation Process: Concerns were raised about the length of the proposed six-week consultation period and the need to separate education and enforcement strategies within the consultation. Officers explained that the timetable was developed with partners to gather comprehensive feedback and that the consultation would extend beyond online channels to reach underrepresented groups. They also agreed to explore the use of videos and QR codes to make materials more accessible.
• Performance and Targets: Members noted that Cardiff's current recycling rate is 64%, below the 70% target. The Pathway to 70% initiative, previously discussed in March, is nearing completion with the implementation of soft plastics collections. Officers clarified that the strategy aims to sustain performance beyond 70% and that 82% has been cited as an optimum achievable recycling rate.
• Business and School Engagement: Questions were raised about how business waste is captured in recycling figures, as not all businesses use the council's services. Officers acknowledged this gap and highlighted ongoing work with schools to improve their recycling rates, particularly concerning food waste.
• Education and Enforcement: The committee discussed separating education and enforcement strategies, with officers confirming that a separate littering and fly-tipping strategy is being developed.
• Accessibility and Inclusivity: Emphasis was placed on ensuring the consultation reaches all residents, including older people and those whose first language is not English. Officers confirmed that engagement would be multi-channel, and Councillor Stubbs invited suggestions for specific groups requiring further outreach.
• Reuse and Repair: The strategy includes a strong focus on reuse and repair initiatives, with plans to expand reuse shops, explore a citywide reuse distribution hub, and support community repair initiatives.

The committee was recommended to support the proposal to proceed to public consultation, with feedback to be used to refine the strategy before a final version is presented to Cabinet.

Gwaelod-y-Garth Incident Response

The committee considered the Council's response to the environmental incident in Gwaelod-y-Garth on 30 July 2026, which caused significant flooding and debris. Councillor Weaver and Councillor Stubbs, along with Graham Harris, Director of Frontline Services, presented an overview of the incident response and recovery efforts.

Key themes from the discussion included:

• Multi-Agency Coordination: Rhys Hatton, Principal Emergency Management Officer, explained the coordination process through the Local Resilience Forum and the Council's Gold Command structure. The response involved immediate mobilisation of council teams alongside emergency services, with a handover to the Council for the recovery phase.
• Frontline Services Response: Graham Harris detailed the actions taken by frontline teams, including sandbag provision, road closures, debris clearance, and infrastructure inspections. Videos and before-and-after pictures illustrated the scale of the damage and the subsequent cleanup. Christina Hill, Head of Shared Regulatory Services (SRS), highlighted the role of Trading Standards officers in advising residents on unsolicited callers and claims assistance companies.
• Lessons Learned and Transition to Recovery: Members praised the professionalism and dedication of council staff. Questions were raised about when responsibility should transition from emergency response to other departments, with officers explaining that frontline services manage both immediate incidents and ongoing maintenance. The robust nature of the Council's emergency response plans and agreements was noted.
• Climate Resilience and Capacity: Councillor Daniel Waldron raised concerns about the potential for more frequent extreme weather events due to climate change and questioned the Council's capacity to manage multiple concurrent incidents of this scale. Officers acknowledged the ongoing issue of climate change and confirmed that recent exercises had tested flooding scenarios. They stated that while it was difficult to quantify the exact number of incidents that could be managed concurrently, the Council prepares for a wide range of emergencies.
• Resident Protection and Compensation: Questions were asked about official compensation schemes for affected residents. While officers noted that emergencies can attract individuals seeking to exploit residents, specific details on compensation schemes were not available at this meeting.
• Drainage Maintenance and Prevention: The effectiveness of the highway drainage system was discussed, with officers explaining it was not designed for the extreme volume of water experienced. A proactive approach to drainage clearance and maintenance, supported by closer working between Highways and Cleansing services, was highlighted as a priority.
• Long-Term Support for Residents: It was acknowledged that recovery would be a long-term process for those directly affected by flooding, and the Council would continue to provide support through housing, community services, and partner agencies.
• Support for Children and Young People: The committee inquired about how the needs of children and young people were considered during the incident, including evacuation, temporary accommodation, and access to education. Officers confirmed that all residents, including families with children, were consulted about their individual circumstances, with a focus on their needs, including school access and appropriate accommodation.

Committee Business – Work Programme 2026/27

Natalie Stork, Operational Manager for Traffic Enforcement and Maintenance Operations, presented the proposed work programme for the Environmental Scrutiny Committee for 2026/27. The committee was asked to approve the scope and terms of reference for several projects:

• Cardiff Central Station Joint Scrutiny: A joint scrutiny with the Economy and Culture Scrutiny Committee, scheduled for 3 December 2026, focusing on the economic and sustainability impacts of the Central Station enhancement project and the Council's relationship with Transport for Wales and the South East Wales Corporate Joint Committee.
• Shared Regulatory Services Joint Scrutiny: A joint session with the Community Adult Services Scrutiny Committee and the Economy and Culture Scrutiny Committee, also on 3 December 2026, examining concerns related to retail premises, their environmental impacts, and potential improvements.
• Litter and Fly-tipping Task and Finish Group: The draft terms of reference and proposed membership for this group were presented, with Councillor Owen Jones chairing the group.

Members discussed the proposed work programme, with Councillor Ash-Edwards confirming his addition to the Litter and Fly-tipping group. Councillor John Lancaster raised a query regarding the numbering of appendices for the Litter and Fly-tipping group. Councillor Daniel Waldron sought further detail on the Cardiff Capital Region scrutiny, particularly regarding value for money and efficiency. The committee agreed to circulate any missing papers and explore further scrutiny of the Cardiff Capital Region.

The committee was recommended to review the appendices, agree any amendments, and approve the proposed arrangements for these projects.

The next meeting of the Environmental Scrutiny Committee was scheduled for 12 November 2026.