Issue - meetings

To consider the attached report of the Head of Waste Services.

The Vice-Chairman, Councillor M Rose, took the Chair in the absence of the Chairman, Councillor C A Vinson.

Members discussed the following points:

·         Why the consultation that had originally been requested by the Cabinet in December 2022 had not been undertaken before the elections in May 2023. Members were advised that the change to containerisation was in the waste contract and would have had to happen regardless undermining the point of a consultation.

·         When the risk to staff of musculo-skeletal injuries caused by overladen (weight more than 20kg) garden waste sacks had first been identified and what alternatives to containerisation had been explored. Members were advised that 11 of the 12 Kent districts used bins as opposed to sacks.

RESOLVED: That it be recommended to the Cabinet:

(a)  That, in the interests of the health and safety of the refuse collection contractor’s workforce, the use of garden waste sacks be withdrawn and the sacks replaced with a 240-litre wheeled bin.

(b)  That a single wheeled bin be provided at no cost to subscribers in Year 1 of the revised service, and that residents who cannot access the service be offered a £25 voucher for a free home composter.

(c)   That the Head of Waste Services be authorised to work with the Head of Legal Services to finalise and approve the draft Garden Waste Service terms and conditions.

(Councillor C A Vinson declared an Other Significant Interest (OSI) in the Garden Waste Containerisation Project as a subscriber to the scheme and withdrew from the meeting for the consideration of this item of business.)

(Councillor H M Williams declared an Other Significant Interest (OSI) in the Garden Waste Containerisation Project as a subscriber to the scheme and withdrew from the meeting for the consideration of this item of business.)

(Councillor L M Wright declared an Other Significant Interest (OSI) in the Garden Waste Containerisation Project as a subscriber to the scheme and withdrew from the meeting for the consideration of this item of business.)

(Councillor M Bates declared an Other Significant Interest (OSI) in the Garden Waste Containerisation Project as a subscriber to the scheme and withdrew from the meeting for the consideration of this item of business.)

(Councillor D R Friend declared an Other Significant Interest (OSI) in the Garden Waste Containerisation Project as a subscriber to the scheme and withdrew from the meeting for the consideration of this item of business.)

To consider the attached report of the Head of Waste Services.

Responsibility: Portfolio Holder for Planning and Built Environment

(In accordance with the provisions of Section 100(B)(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972, the Chairman of the meeting has agreed that this item, which was not detailed on the agenda, should be considered as a matter of urgency)

It was agreed:

(a)   That, in the interests of the health and safety of the refuse collection contractor’s workforce, the use of garden waste sacks be withdrawn and the sacks replaced with a 240-litre wheeled bin.

(b)   That a single wheeled bin be provided at no cost to subscribers in Year 1 of the revised service, and that residents who cannot access the service be offered a £25 voucher for a free home composter.

(c)   That the Head of Waste Services be authorised to work with the Head of Legal Services to finalise and approve the draft Garden Waste Service terms and conditions.