Agenda and draft minutes

Contact: Christine Lewis 

Media

Items
No. Item

7.

Appointment of Chairman

Minutes:

Cllr Pullen nominated Cllr Cox as Chair. The nomination was seconded by Cllr Chesworth

8.

Apologies for Absence

Minutes:

There were apologies from Cllr Cook who then later joined the meeting

9.

Declarations of Interests

Minutes:

There were no declarations of interest

10.

Minutes from the Previous Meeting pdf icon PDF 109 KB

Minutes:

The Minutes of the meeting held on 5 November 2019 previously circulated, were taken as read and approved as a correct record

11.

The Future Provision of the Dry Recycling Service pdf icon PDF 153 KB

Minutes:

The General Manager of Joint Waste Services was invited to present his paper to the committee. He outlined that the existing contract with Biffa Waste was due to expire on 31 March 2022 and asked members to endorse the paper presented.

 

The paper explained that Biffa have taken a strategic decision to reduce exposure to clients using the Comingling approach to dry recycling - this approach is currently used by Lichfield and Tamworth. The final decision would have to take into account other influencing factors including: the National Resource and Waste Strategy, the impact of Brexit on the value of material exports and any potential future economic impact from Covid-19.

 

He indicated that soft market exercises conducted were considered useful but did not provide enough information to make a final decision on the future direction of the service. Therefore the proposal was to go to the market in the autumn with a tender for both Comingled and Dual-Streaming collections, plus different options on contract length and risk profiles. Results will be weighed alongside the outcome of discussions with the County Council and any further developments from the emerging National Waste Policy with a final decision to be made around February 2021.

 

Cllr Pullen and Cllr Chesworth both endorsed the paper but raised concerns regarding the level of uncertainty and unknown factors at the present time. Cllr Cook also endorsed the paper but raised concerns that these preparations may become redundant following the upcoming plans for local government reorganisation to be announced by central government in September.

 

Diane Tilley suggested the possibility that MPs may be able to find out when decisions will be taken by central Government on the upcoming waste policy.

 

 

DECISION

 

The decision of the committee having regard to the paper submitted was to unanimously endorse the paper, including the approach being undertaken and determine the future provision of the dry recycling service.