Agenda and minutes

Councillors John Richards, Ibrahim Hayat, Martyn Kellaway, Mark Whitcutt and Tracey Brooks

None.

The minutes of the meeting held on the 15^th November 2021 were accepted as a true and accurate record, with the following correction:

Correction of the dates of the upcoming meetings in the Scrutiny Adviser report for the Annual Forward Work Programme wherein the dates are repeated.

City Services 

Invitees:

-       Paul Jones – Strategic Director

-       Councillor Roger Jeavons – Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for City Services

-       Silvia Gonzalez- Lopez – Service Manager Waste and Cleansing

The Strategic Director gave an overview of the report and noted that it had been a difficult year and that the effects of the pandemic were still affecting the service. It was highlighted that the increased covert surveillance on fly tipping, the upcoming installation of a new footbridge, and environmental improvements such as vehicle charging points and water fountains. The Strategic Director felt that the area was broadly on track and highlighted that the graph could be misleading due to the axis. It was noted the importance that this was dependant on Welsh Government hardship funding.

The Deputy Leader advised the sustaining the increase in the reduction of residual waste bin usage, booking times remaining at a minimum and no queuing on roads taking place. The Deputy Leader informed advised the Committee that they were awarded the HWRC Site of the Year Award. The increase in food waste had been announced at a previous Waste Savers meeting. It was also noted that the well-known “Road to Nowhere” was now renamed the “Road to Nature”.

The committee asked the following:

·         What was the real rate achieved in recycling, not just collection rate?

The Strategic Director informed the Committee that the measurement required by Welsh Government was the “end use” and that the 67% was the net figure. The Service Manager for Waste and Cleansing informed committee that the numbers come from a complex report that accounts for and breaks down all information, and that the actual rate of recycled was the 67% reported.

·         Is the service area confident that recyclables didn’t end up in landfills or mis-recycled?

·         The Service Manager for Waste and Cleansing noted that waste was only shipped within the country and was confident it was handled properly as they were subject to regulations. The Strategic Director advised there was potential for more detailed information to be included but was unsure whether this was the right report for that.

·         What is the percentage of households that “do well” in recycling?

The Strategic Director noted that it was a high percentage, and that a lot of education awareness had been done. It was then highlighted that enforcement was an option if households refused. The Service Manager for Waste and Cleansing informed the Committee that there was no recent survey data due to Covid, but anecdotal data suggested high and sustained participation.

·         Is adding more recyclable collectables being considered?

The Strategic Director noted that it was important to strike a balance as some non-recyclable/difficult to recycle materials should be discouraged.

·         What was being done to collect recyclable materials from public areas?

The Strategic Director noted that they had a reasonable portfolio with businesses but were still waiting for business regulations to change. The Service Manager for Waste and Cleansing confirmed that plans were waiting for Welsh Government’s  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

a)      Forward Work Programme Update (Appendix 1)

b)      Actions Plan (Appendix 2)

c)      Information Reports (Appendix 3)

d)      Scrutiny Letters (Appendix 4)

Invitee:

- Neil Barnett – Scrutiny Adviser

a) Forward Work Programme Update

The Scrutiny Adviser presented the Forward Work Programme, and informed the Committee

of the topics due to be discussed at the next two committee meetings:

Monday 13th November 2021 at 4pm, the agenda items;

-       Economic Growth Strategy and Economic Recovery Plan – Recommendations Monitoring

Monday 24th January 2022 at 4pm, the agenda items;

-       2022-23 Draft Budget Proposals