South Holland Council's Cabinet met to discuss and approve a new waste collection model to meet the requirements of the Environment Act 2021. The approved model involves collecting residual waste in 240-litre wheeled bins on an alternate weekly basis, recycling and paper/card in separate 240-litre bins on alternate fortnights, and food waste in a 23-litre caddy weekly. The Cabinet also approved ordering food waste collection vehicles and wheeled bins in 2025/26, pending budget confirmation, and recommended amendments to the Capital Programme for Council approval.

Waste Services Delivery Model

The Cabinet approved Option B as the preferred delivery model for collecting waste and recycling from households. This decision was made to comply with the Environment Act 2021¹ and to provide a more efficient and cost-effective waste management service. The key changes to the waste collection service include:

• Wheeled Bins: Replacing the current unlimited sack collection with 240-litre wheeled bins for residual waste, collected on an alternate weekly basis.
• Separate Recycling: Providing separate 240-litre bins for recycling, and paper and card, collected on alternate fortnights.
• Food Waste Collection: Introducing a weekly collection of food waste using a 23-litre caddy.

The decision was not unanimous, with some councillors expressing concerns about the decision being made by the Cabinet rather than the Full Council, and whether residents' preferences for bags had been ignored. Councillor Charles Nicholas Worth, Leader of the Council, clarified that the decision was an executive one under the council's constitution, while the Full Council would approve the budget for the changes.

Councillor Jim Astill, Portfolio Holder for Corporate, Governance, Communications and Environmental Services, addressed concerns about the consultation process, stating that all feedback had been considered. He also noted that the size of the proposed bins had been increased following member feedback to accommodate more household recycling.

The Cabinet considered other options, including:

• Option A: A 180-litre bin for residual waste. This was rejected due to concerns that it would be too restrictive for residents.
• Option C: Retaining bags for dry mixed recycling. This was rejected due to the need for additional vehicles and concerns about recycling rates.
• Do Nothing: This was not considered viable due to the statutory requirement to introduce separate weekly food waste collections and the financial unsustainability of the current service.

The new waste collection model is projected to save an average of £514,000 per year compared to the current service. It is also expected to improve the quality and quantity of recycling, reduce carbon emissions, and improve the health and safety of the workforce.

Policy on Side Waste

A question was raised regarding a policy for side waste² and the potential for increased fly-tipping. Councillor Jim Astill, Portfolio Holder for Corporate, Governance, Communications and Environmental Services, clarified that currently there is no policy in place under the current waste service and residents can put out unlimited waste for collection. As part of the service reform, there would be a recommendation for no side waste separate to what fitted in the wheeled bin. This policy, when formulated, would be considered by the Policy Development Panel before formal adoption.

Properties Unsuitable for Wheeled Bins

Concerns were raised about properties unsuitable for wheeled bins and how many bags of waste would be allowed for collection. Councillor Jim Astill, Portfolio Holder for Corporate, Governance, Communications and Environmental Services, responded that the mechanics of how this would work in practice would be included in detail within a policy but commented that it would be very difficult to restrict the number of bags put out and collected, with consideration being needed as to how this would be policed. The Head of Environmental Services added that the default position would be that a 240-litre wheeled bin held on average four to five bags, but this detail would be included within a policy that would be considered by the Policy Development Panel before formal adoption.

Implementation Timescales

The Portfolio Holder for Corporate, Governance, Communications & Environmental Services confirmed that no dates were in place yet and this was subject to approval at Full Council of the budget. He added that there was a long lead time on vehicles, and this dictated when the new collection system would be implemented. The Head of Environmental Services explained that a project board would be in place to oversee and decide the mobilisation plan. Typically, the transition period for Councils who have transferred from a bagged collection to a wheeled bin service has been 12 to 18 months. Vehicle delivery was the biggest driver for a mobilisation plan, and this had not yet been established.

Rural Fly Tipping

Rural ward members raised concerns about increased fly-tipping with the implementation of wheeled bins. Councillor Jim Astill, Portfolio Holder for Corporate, Governance, Communications and Environmental Services, commented that there was not necessarily a correlation between increased fly-tipping and the introduction of wheeled bins. He added that the engagement officers would be funded by a specific resource for the life of the project, and if the move to a wheeled bin collection service were approved, there would be a projected £540,000 saving in the current Medium Term Financial Strategy, and it would be for the Cabinet to decide how that saving would be invested elsewhere.

Capital Programme Amendments

The Cabinet recommended that the Council approve several amendments to the Capital Programme to fund the new waste collection model:

• Drawing forward £3.150 million from the Capital Programme allocation for 2028/29 and 2030/31 into 2026/27 to fund the capital costs of purchasing food waste collection vehicles and wheeled bins.
• Rephasing £0.735 million 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.
• Rephasing £0.225 million 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.
• Adding £3.771 million to the Capital Programme in 2026/27 to fund the capital costs of purchasing food waste collection vehicles and wheeled bins.