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16BATH AND NORTH EAST SOMERSET COUNCIL
WASTE MANAGEMENT SUB-COMMITTEE
Tuesday 6th November 2001
PRESENT -: Councillors: B Carruthers, G Derrick, I Dewey, R Griffiths, M Kelleher, B S Organ, and R A Symonds
RESOLVED that Councillor I. Dewey be elected Chair(person) for the duration of the meeting.
The Chair drew attention to the emergency evacuation procedure as set out on the Agenda.
There was no vice-chair(person) elected.
There were no declarations of interest made.
There were no items of urgent business. However, the Sub-Committee was informed that a members briefing, concerning the Keynsham Environment Park would follow the Sub-Committee.
There were no items from members of the public.
There were no items from Councillors.
RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on Monday 10th September 2001 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair(person).
The Sub-Committee received a report, which detailed a cleanliness survey of the district, which was carried out in August 2000 by the Tidy Britain Group to quantify the cleanliness of the district and identify areas for improvement. In response to this survey, new initiatives were introduced to improve standards of cleanliness throughout. The report also detailed the results of a follow up survey carried out by officers of North Somerset, Bristol City and South Gloucestershire Councils on behalf of B&NES.
The results demonstrate that significant improvements have been made as a result of the new initiatives and increased levels of funding.
On a motion from Councillor R. Symonds, it was RESOLVED that:
(1) Bath & North East Somerset Officers should carry out regular update surveys in the course of their duties to enable robust comparative information to be developed and improvements to be quantified, and that independent verification be carried out annually by the Tidy Britain Group and neighbouring local authority Officers; and
(2) Officers should identify improvements in management and operational practices relating to weed control.
The Sub-Committee received a performance monitoring report for the refuse collection and cleansing contracts, which also included the performance information relating to the recycling and waste operations activities. Members were asked to consider the contents and identify any issues to be considered for future action and investigation.
In response to a question from Councillor R. Griffiths, regarding the new legislation on abandoned cars, the Waste Services Manager agreed to circulate a policy paper to Waste Management Sub-Committee Members by 10th November 2001.
On a motion from Councillor B. Carruthers, it was RESOLVED that:
(1) The tables be made much easier to understand and the use of lines on the columns be discontinued and shown in separate tables;
(2) Certain key areas are identified at each meeting and that these areas are discussed in detail and actions recommended are implemented by officers; and
(3) The following points were recommended for appropriate investigation and action by Officers:
(a) Councillor R. Symonds requested that the following graphs be provided to the next Sub-Committee meeting illustrating (1) the number of garden waste sacks which are collected, (2) the numbers of garden waste sacks that are composted at the HW&RC and (3) a comparison of missed bins with missed recycling bins.
(b) Councillor G. Derrick and Councillor R. Griffiths requested that the standard of compost available at HW&RC's be checked for quality.
(c) Councillor G. Derrick requested that the number of reported missed bins in the back door collection scheme should be investigated by the Waste Services Manager.
The Sub-Committee received a report, which clarified the principles relating to the vision of zero waste which is being developed internationally. Members have agreed to adopt a vision for zero waste within the council's consultation draft waste strategy.
On a motion from Councillor R. Symonds, it was RESOLVED that:
(1) Members reaffirm their commitment to a long term vision of zero waste based on the principles outlined in this report, sections 4.2 - 4.8;
(2) This vision forms the basis for the consultation draft waste strategy; and
(3) Clear targets to achieve this vision are identified through the development of the waste strategy and through future reports to this Sub-Committee.
The Sub-Committee received a report concerning the EC Regulation on Ozone Depleting Substances, which requires the extraction of Chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) foam from white goods such as fridges and freezers prior to disposal or recovery. This is in addition to the extraction of CFC gases, which currently takes place. The regulation will come into effect on 1st January 2002. It is forecast that the cost implications to local authorities could be from £15-£40 per unit. There is as yet no facility able to deal with the extraction of CFC within the UK, and it is likely that goods will have to be stored until such facilities become available.
As of Spring 2002 waste refrigerators will be classified as hazardous waste and any onward movements from Household Waste & Recycling Centres must be consigned as such.
The Waste Services Manager updated Members on the current discussions with SITA, SIMMS Metals and B&NES Property Services to identify joint storage compounds for hazardous materials as currently no company is in the position to deal with these materials.
On a motion from Councillor B. Carruthers, it was RESOLVED that:
(1) Members are aware of this regulation and note the additional significant financial burden that may be placed upon Bath & North East Somerset as detailed in sections 3.1 and 3.2;
(2) Officers work closely with neighbouring local authorities, the waste management industry and reprocessors to source storage and reprocessing outlets for fridges and freezers; and
(3) Officers should write to the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and request that Local Authorities be given 2 - 3 years notice of this type of legislation.
No reported action had been taken under delegated authority in consultation with Spokespersons since the meeting of the Sub-Committee in September 2001.
RESOLVED that Councillor M. Kelleher (Liberal Democrat Group) be nominated Chair(person) for the next meeting.
The Waste Services Manager updated Members on the priority of future agenda items and informed them of a Waste Best Value Review workshop on 23rd November 2001.
The `Enforcement Measures to Counter Litter Droppers' report is awaiting advice from Legal Services. The `Future of the Horsed Drawn Recycling Collection Service' and the `Parish Sweeper Scheme' reports will be submitted to the next meeting of the Sub-Committee. A Members Briefing on the `Keynsham Environment Park' followed the Sub-Committee meeting.
RESOLVED that the future agenda items list be noted.
The meeting ended at 15:09pm
Chair(person)
Date Confirmed and Signed
Prepared by Democratic Services |
Agenda document
