Environment & Economy Overview & Scrutiny Committee

The committee considered a call-in of Cabinet's decision of 23 July 2024 to reduce residual (black bin) waste collections. Call-in means councillors ask a scrutiny committee to review a decision before it takes effect. The committee accepted the explanations given but did not endorse the decision.

1. Decided

   The committee was 'no longer concerned' after hearing the explanations, but did not say it was 'satisfied'. It therefore accepted the decision but did not endorse it. Councillor Richard Lloyd proposed this option, seconded by Councillor Simon Jones, and it was carried.

   Why

   The council's recycling rate was 62.77% in 2023/24, below the statutory target, and the target rose to 70% from April 2024. A 2022 analysis found 13,410 tonnes of recyclable material in black bins, 6,940 tonnes of it food waste. Officers, the Leader and the Deputy Leader responded to these concerns, and the Cabinet Member supported the decision. The Cabinet record of decision says three weeks, while the report says four; the minutes do not explain this.

   Based on the minutes, Cabinet Report - Restricted Capacity Residual Waste Collection Model, Cabinet Decision - 23.07.2024, Call In Arrangements Document, Call In Notice - 1, Call In Notice - 2

Written by AI from the council's minutes and reports. Sentences with a number or name that can't be found in those papers are removed automatically, but mistakes are still possible. Councils publish no word-for-word record of meetings, so this says what was decided and why. Read the official papers to be sure.

1. 2

   Declarations of Interest (Including Whipping Declarations)

   Minute

   No declarations of interest were made.

2. 3

   Consideration of a matter referred to the Committee pursuant to the Call In arrangements

   Minute

   The Democratic Services Manager advised that Cabinet had considered a report on ‘The Council’s Transition to a Restricted Capacity Residual Waste Collection Model’ at a meeting held on 23 July 2024. The decision (Record of Decision 4236) had been called in on two separate occasions and were shown as Call In Notice 1 and Call In Notice 2 in the Agenda. Copies of the Cabinet report, Record of Decision and Endorsement of Call in 1 and 2 were included in the agenda pack. The Democratic Services Manager explained the procedure for the call in of a Cabinet decision as detailed in the supporting document which was included in the agenda. The Chairman invited the signatories to present the reasons for the call-in to the Committee.

   Part of an issue followed across 6 meetings

   Papers: Call In Arrangements Document
3. 4

   The Council’s Transition to a Restricted Capacity Residual Waste Collection Model

   Decision as recorded

   RESOLVED: That having considered the decision, the Committee was ‘no longer concerned’, having received the explanations, but was not minded to indicate that it was ‘satisfied with the explanation’, therefore the Committee accepted but did not endorse the decision.

   Minute

   Representations from Call In Signatories Councillors: Alastair Ibbotson, Bill Crease, Marion Bateman, Carol Ellis, Helen Brown and Richard Jones outlined the reasons for the Call In, expanding on the reasons outlined within the Agenda. Responses from the Decision Makers The Chief Officer (Streetscene & Transportation) and Regulatory Services Manager provided a detailed presentation in response to the concerns expressed by the Call In signatories. The Leader of the Council and Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Streetscene and Transportation responded to the comments made by the Call In signatories. The Chairman invited Members of the Committee to ask questions of the Decision Makers and Call In signatories. The Chairman invited the initiators of the call in to sum up. Councillors Alasdair Ibbotson and Richard Jones summed up on behalf of the call in signatories. The Chief Officer (Streetscene and Transportation) summed up the reasons for the proposals with the Cabinet Member for Streetscene and Transportation also summing up his support for the decision made by Cabinet. The Chairman invited the Democratic Services Manager to remind Members of the options for decision making as detailed in item 3 of the Agenda. Councillor Richard Lloyd proposed Option 2 and this was seconded by Councillor Simon Jones. Councillor Roy Wakelam proposed Option 4 and this was seconded by Councillor David Coggins-Cogan. An explanation was provided that a second proposal could not be taken ahead of a vote on the first proposal. On being put to the vote, the proposal for Option 2 was carried. RESOLVED: That having considered the decision, the Committee was ‘no longer concerned’, having received the explanations, but was not minded to indicate that it was ‘satisfied with the explanation’, therefore the Committee accepted but did not endorse the decision.

   Part of an issue followed across 4 meetings

   Papers: Cabinet Report - Restricted Capacity Residual Waste Collection Model, Cabinet Decision - 23.07.2024, Call In Notice - 1, Call In Notice - 2

4. Attendance by members of the press and public

   Minute

   None.

Councillors must say when they have a personal link to something being discussed, such as a job, a property or a family member. A prejudicial interest is one strong enough that the councillor usually leaves the room and takes no part.

The minutes record no declarations of interest.

The council hasn't recorded attendance for this meeting.

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