Agenda item

The Portfolio Holder provided an initial contextual briefing to Members. 

It was highlighted that there was a typographical error for 1.2 recommendation which read as follows:

 “The Council allocates £2,200,00 Capital funding in the Medium-Term Financial Plan for the 2025/26 financial year for the purchase and distribution of these bins”.

The Portfolio Holder informed the Board that it should read as follows:

The Council allocates £2,200,000 Capital funding in the Medium-Term Financial Plan for the 2025/26 financial year for the purchase and distribution of these bins”.

Following the initial briefing by the Portfolio Holder, the Environmental Services Manager presented his report for the Refuse Fleet Replacement and Wheeled Bin Pressures to the Board to Members.

Given that the “Diamond” bins were limiting the Council’s ability to meet the statutory duties, as well as increasing operating costs, it was proposed that Bromsgrove District Council replace all the existing “Diamond” wheeled bins with industry standard “Comb”240ltr wheeledbins (nochange insize forany waste streams).  Or to replaceall theexisting greenand brown“Diamond” wheeledbins with industry standard “Comb” 240ltr wheeled bins and replace the existing 240ltr wheeled bins for residual waste, with 180ltr “comb” wheeled bins.

The option to reduce the size of the residual waste bin, although would support immediate benefits regarding recycling performance, it might add additional challenges should the Council look to make further changes to expand the service and/or reduce the frequency of residual waste collection to further pressurise the waste stream and reduce operating costs linked to the non-recyclable waste.

Like for like replacement of all existing Diamond Wheeled bins would requireCapital investmentof approximately £2.2mincluding delivery and expected credits against the recycled “Diamond” bins.

A decision to reduce the size of the 240ltr residual waste bins to 180ltrs would reduce that cost by £60k and would also support increased recyclingquantities andtake upof thefood wasteservice expectedto start in 2026 based on a current fortnightly collection service.

During consideration of the item Members raised the following:

• What the impact could be with increasing the frequency of collection times and capacity of the bins and could it cause infestation issues? – It was advised that the possible introduction of a weekly Food Waste Service should assist with infestation issues.  It was further discussed that to encourage the disposal of food waste, there was a suggestion of reducing the size of the bin capacity or to extend the frequency of collection of residual waste from two to three weeks which would also further reduce infestation issues.  The Executive Director also advised the Board that Stratford on Avon District Council had rolled out a three-week residual waste collection service and a garden waste collection service every two weeks with very few issues and an overall good reception from residents.
• What the Council’s provision was to ensure the prevention of future deaths in response to the fatality involving one of its vehicles whilst in service with Coventry City Council in 2022? – Members noted that the Health and Safety Executive and Coroners Office (who dealt with the inquest) were ensuring manufacturers made the adjustments necessary for the specific lift system.
• Had communal areas been considered which had larger bin containers in the specific residential areas?  - It was suggested that a lack of ownership was an issue for the larger communal areas.  The Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) (legislation that aims to make producers responsible for the cost of the collection, management and recycling of packaging) funding would assist with future engagement to promote the correct recycling habits for residents. 
• Would the lifting mechanism for the new fleet be adequate for the different sized litre bins proposed? – It was reported that the size of the bins would not be an issue for the lifting mechanisms with the proposed or existing fleet.
• Members considered the financial implication proposals and raised concerns that costings were only estimates and that the Council should consider fluctuating costs in the future.  Members urged for a strong business case model to be established and that the Board be given the opportunity to scrutinise the costings in full detail.  It was also requested if Members could be provided with further clarity on the Capital Investment figure of approximately £2.2m. – Members were informed that the funds were based on calculations carried out in November 2024, testing the market for the cost of the wheeled bins, collection and disposal.  It was understood by Officers that there might be some variance for future costings.
• Could the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) funding transfer of £1.04m for dry recyclable material through the EPR scheme for the 2025/26 financial year be clarified. – Members noted that the funding was due to a tax on packaging manufacturers under the “producer pays” principle and was intended to support costs of the existing waste collection arrangements, supporting communication and education on dry recycling.  The Executive Director added that whilst the funding was not ringed fenced, it was expected to be used specifically for waste considerations.  From 2028 the funding would be linked to the quality as well as the quantity of recycling collected and may be required to support education and engagement with residents regarding their waste to maintain the level of funding.

Also, during consideration of the item, a recommendation was proposed by Councillor R.J. Hunter.  The recommendation was:

“To endorse the proposal 4.1.1 to: Replace all our existing “Diamond” wheeled bins with industry standard “Comb” 240ltr wheeled bins (no change in size for any waste streams)”.

The recommendation was proposed by Councillor R.J. Hunter and seconded by Councillor J.W. Robinson.

On being put to the vote the recommendation was carried.

RECOMMENDED that:

The Cabinet RECOMMEND that:

1)    The Council agrees to replace all “Diamond” lift bins in use across the Residual, Recycling, and Garden Waste services in Bromsgrove District during the 2025/26 financial year with industry standard “Comb” lift bins.

2)    The Council allocates £2,200,00 Capital funding in the Medium-Term Financial Plan for the 2025/26 financial year for the purchase and distribution of these bins.