Agenda item

(i)              Joint Report of the Assistant Chief Executive and Corporate Director of Neighbourhood Services

(ii)             Presentation by Alan Patrickson, Head of Projects and Business Services

The Committee considered the Joint report of the Assistant Chief Executive and Corporate Director of Neighbourhood Services which provided members with supporting information in advance of the update on the waste programme (for copy of report, see file of minutes).

The Head of Projects and Business Services gave a presentation which provided members with an update on Garden Waste Subscriptions and Customer Interaction; Waste Transfer Station Capital Programme update and Station Grove Household Waste Recycling Centre Capital Programme update (for copy of slides, see file of minutes).

Councillor Holland sought clarification on the income versus costs for the garden waste service, in particularly if this service was still subsidised.

The Head of Projects and Business Services responded that the service was still subsidised as the income was just under £1m but the cost of the service was £2m. The kerbside collection service for rubbish cost £76.00 per tonne and landfill was £85.00-£90.00 per tonne, recycling was up and down with the markets but currently cost £17.00 per tonne. If Durham County Council did not recycle at the kerbside then cost to the authority would be £3.5m more. Two years ago Durham County Council received an income from recycling.

Councillor May commented that the garden waste collection service had been extended as it stopped too early last year and this year collections would not stop until November. He then sought clarification on the cost of additional bins.

The Head of Projects and Business Services responded that there was no additional charge for the collection of additional bins however an additional bin would cost £25.00 then a further £20.00 for the sticker to enable the bin to be collected.

Councillor Clare congratulated the team on their response to missed bins which were dealt with quickly with a separate a visit made. He also supported the renewal of the recycling contract and asked about the implications and what was acceptable to be placed in the recycling bin.

The Head of Projects and Business Services responded the contact was awarded to a local company who were O’Brien Waste Recycling Solutions and there would be no implications on what is currently placed in the recycling bin. The ‘Bin it Right’ campaign focused on educating local residents that nappies, food and dog waste should not be included in the recycling bins. Plastic bags were an issue but this had reduced as a result of the 5p charge for a bag.

The Chairman suggested a site visit by the Committee to the Energy from Waste facility at Haverton Hill. The Head of Projects and Business Services suggested that they could also visit the new recycling contactor.

Resolved: (i) That the waste programme update be noted.

(ii) That arrangements be made for Members to visit the Haverton Hill Plant and O’Brien Waste Recycling Solutions based at Washington.