Issue - meetings

This report sets out proposals to work in partnership with West Sussex County Council to deliver a twelve-month Food Waste and Absorbent Hygiene Products (AHP) collection service trial across approximately 1,150 properties in Arun.

The Cabinet

            RESOLVED – That

(1)  Approval be given to proceed with a Food Waste and AHP Collections trial using a 123 service as outlined in the report for a period of twelve months, commencing in March 2021;

(2)  It be noted and support be given to the governance arrangements which are designed to allow the respective project teams to take all necessary decisions to successfully deliver the trial within the framework outlined in the report; and

(3)  Approval be given to the necessary drawing down of funding from West Sussex County Council and expenditure associated with Arun’s delivery of the trial as outlined in the report.

            In the absence of the Cabinet Member for Neighbourhood Services, the Chairman introduced this item stating that this Council had made a firm commitment to tackling climate change and therefore it was wholly appropriate for Cabinet to consider a report proposing a trial food waste and absorbent hygiene products collection service. Councillor Dr Walsh stated that everyone had a role to play in reducing their waste as far as possible by recycling as much as possible of what was left. It was fact that significant volumes of food were currently wasted in Arun and so this trial had been designed to test assumptions; to gauge the views of a sample of residents; and to provide valuable data which the Council could consider and use to inform future decision making.

Councillor Dr Walsh confirmed that he firmly believed that many residents would  fully support the proposal for a trial as there was a growing number of environmentally conscientious residents who wanted to have the opportunity to do the right thing when it came to waste reduction and recycling. If ultimately, we can reduce the amount of food wasted and recycle as much of what is left as possible, then this would be a positive development for all concerned. This trial was a positive first step in exploring this possibility.

            The Group Head of Neighbourhood Services and the Environment Services and Strategy Manager then provided further details on all aspects of the proposed trial.  The key points have been summarised below:

·         The Government was expected to mandate the separate collection of food waste as early as 2023

·         The trial would address the fact that Arun’s food waste equated to 46% of the content of total waste. 

·         From a 2018 modelling exercise, this collection system was the optimal collection model in terms of maximising recycling rates.

·         If approved, all residents would be provided with a 240-litre residual bin as well as internal and external food waste caddies

·         Looking at operational delivery, the report set out how the trial would look and work on the ground.  Collections would be made by the Council’s existing cleansing contractor, Biffa.

·         AHP collections would be undertaken by Medisort, the Council’s existing clinical waste collection contractor.

·         Throughout the trial Ward Members and the Cabinet Member including the Environment & Leisure Working Group and the appropriate new Committee will be kept fully appraised of the trial including details such as resident satisfaction and other data.

·         The project timetable identified a proposed start date of March 2021

·         Looking at outcomes and targets, customer satisfaction would be evaluated

·         The trial would be funded by WSCC as the disposal authority who would set aside a performance improvement fund for Districts and Boroughs within the West Sussex Waste Partnership to bid for in respect of projects that would deliver improvements in recycling performance.

·         The importance of compiling a well-considered communications plan was key to ensure resident engagement and understanding.

In discussing the proposed trial, Cabinet fully supported this scheme and as this was fully  ...  view the full minutes text for item 283