Agenda item

Oliver Handson, Environmental Service and Strategy Manager will present this report. The report provides an overview of the scope of operations delivered by Biffa, how the contract is managed and outlines contractual performance during 2018/19. Laura Parker, Business Manager for Biffa will deliver a presentation to the Committee and Members are requested to note the contents of the report.

            [During the course of the discussion of this item Councillor Elkins and Councillor Purchese made personal declarations as Members of West Sussex County Council]

            In introducing the report, the Environmental Services and Strategy Manager welcomed Laura Parker, Biffa’s Business Manager, to the meeting. The report, presented to the Committee provided an overview of the scope of operations delivered by Biffa, how these were managed and explored the contractual performance achieved during 2018/19.

            The Committee were reminded that Arun District Council’s three-year Combined Cleansing Services Contract commenced on 1 February 2017, having been awarded to Biffa Municipal Ltd. In December 2017 the then Cabinet agreed to a further three-year extension of the contract up to 2023. It was previously reported that the extension would allow the Council to retain a cost effective and high performing service as well as being able to fully explore service delivery before the next competitive tender process.

            The Environmental Services and Strategy Manager outlined the key services that the Combined Cleansing Services Contract provided as:

§  Weekly refuse collection

§  Bi-weekly recycling collection

§  Bi-Weekly garden waste collection

§  Street Cleansing (including the removal of fly tipping)

§  Emptying and cleaning of 612 Litter Bins and 450 Dog Waste Bins

§  Cleansing Service for all of the Council’s public conveniences

§  Small waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) weekly collection

§  Weekly clinical waste collection (carried out by Medisort who are based in Littlehampton)

§  Bulky waste collection (chargeable, on demand service)

Members were also reminded that management of this Contract was completed by the Council’s Cleansing Team with rigorous monitoring and regular performance reviews undertaken. It was also highlighted that the support received from Arun Direct dealing with resident enquiries and complaints was invaluable to ensuring that they were resolved at first contact where possible.

            An overview of the key performance measures and indicators was explained to Members and it was advised that nationally the results show that Biffa was a well performing team, alongside the low number of Complaints received that further support the confirmation that the contract was performing well. 

Laura Parker, Biffa Business Manager, then provided the Committee with a presentation that outlined the service structure in place to deliver the Arun contract.

                        Following the presentation, a number of questions were asked.  Key points raised were:

§  Recycling - new upcoming initiatives to help promote education for residents in terms of what can be recycled. It was also confirmed that West Sussex County Council (WSCC) work collaboratively with schools in the area offering education sessions through their Waste-Buster initiative. It was also suggested that the Council might consider education sessions for the public at seasonal events in the future. Further discussion was had in relation to multiple occupation properties, in particular flats to ensure enough bins and recycling bins are made available for these residents. It was also confirmed that where refuse and or recycling issues are highlighted the Council do work proactively to educate residents and had seen great results.  

§  Confirmation was sought regarding the recycling process of small Waste Electrical Equipment and Textiles collection (WEEE) to ensure that these items were not ending up as landfill. It was confirmed that all elements of WEEE were being recycled properly and correctly.

§  It was reported that WSCC had responsibility for recycling of plastic waste and how and what happens to this product was out of Arun District Council’s control. A further suggestion was made for Members to reach out to the Cabinet Member for the Environment at WSCC for further details on the process they use.

§  Carbon footprint – the Biffa Business Manager was asked how modern their vehicle fleet was and what were Biffa looking at to proactively reduce their C02 emissions. It was explained that whilst the age of a number of vehicles within the fleet varied, Biffa were currently investigating the option of electric vehicles, however with it being relatively new technology it needed to have careful consideration before decisions were made. Members were reassured that it was a matter that was very high on their agenda.

§  Brexit – Members were keen to understand the impact of a no deal Brexit. It was confirmed that the Council was satisfied the risks were minimal and would have very little impact.

§  Green Waste Service - Several comments relating to the cost of Green Waste collections were raised by Members who wanted to know if the Council would consider making the Green Waste Collections a free service, given the success of the initiative since it started in 2006. It was confirmed that currently there had not been any discussion on the topic and therefore an answer could not be provided at the current time. Confirmation from the Biffa Business Manager was that whilst it was good to see an increasing customer base, that it now meant there was an increase in service delivery costs to run the initiative. It was also confirmed by the Chief Executive that Central Government were expected to announce possible further funding in the Autumn 2019 and that while there was clearly strong feeling amongst the Committee, it might be premature to look to consider any changes when funding could be available shortly.  

After further discussion Councillor Dendle proposed that the Council look to introduce a free garden waste service. This was seconded by Councillor Miss Rhodes.

Debate then took place on the proposal and a summary of the key points made are highlighted below;

§  Contractually there would be a significant cost implication which the Council would need to bear.

§  As the Council were waiting for the directive from the Government to come forward, it would be untimely to make a decision now.

Councillor Dendle stated that based on the debate that had taken place he wished to make an amendment to his original proposal to read as follows, “that Arun District Council introduce a free/reduced cost green waste service, subject to the Governments decision on funding.” This was seconded by Councillor Miss Rhodes.

Debate on the amended proposal led to Councillor Bennett putting forward a counter proposal to read as follows, “that this Committee asks the Cabinet Member for Community Wellbeing and Officers to prepare a detailed financial report on what would happen if we were to implement a completely free or reduced cost green waste service now or at the end of the Contract and how much would it cost the tax payer at each of these stages.” This was seconded by Councillor Mrs Catterson.

            Members discussed the importance of education for recycling, re-use of waste and composting benefits for residents within the Arun District when debating the proposal made by Councillor Bennett.

            The Committee Manager reminded Members of Councillor Dendle’s first proposal as amended, as a vote still needed to take place.

As the result of the vote was tied (7 voting for, 7 voting against) the Chairman confirmed he would use his casting vote. This resulted in the amendment falling.

The Committee then turned to the counter proposal (put forward by Councillor Bennett), this was put to the vote and declared CARRIED.

The Committee therefore

RESOLVED -

“That the Cabinet Member for Neighbourhood Services and Officers prepare a detailed financial report detailing the implications to possibly implementing a completely free or reduced cost Green Waste Service now or at the end of the Contract, looking at how much this would cost the Tax Payer at each of these stages.”

The Chairman thanked The Environmental Services & Strategy Manager and Biffa’s Business Manager for providing a detail update.