Agenda item

The Committee considered the report of the Corporate Director of Regeneration and Local Services that addressed the four key questions raised and directed Members to resources available to answer any additional questions they may have in advance of the meeting (for copy of report, see file of minutes).

The Strategic Waste Manager, Regeneration and Local Services and the Contracts Team Manager, Regeneration and Local Services were in attendance to answer any questions. 

Mr Kinch asked for an update on the Stainton Grove Household Recycling Centre at Barnard Castle. The Strategic Waste Manager, Regeneration and Local Services gave Members an update and advised that the current site was a small site and was not ideal being restricted in the range of commodities it can receive and limited to two cars only at a time. A new facility has been designed within the existing but unused Depot area which is significantly bigger and a benchmark facility. Due to fulfilling planning condition requirements and a number of other design issues there have been a number of delays with the programme. The site has grown from the original design meeting a number of Member identified requirements (Trade Waste Recycling/Furniture Re-use outlet) there are additional costs so approval is needed for additional spending. This has been approved in principal but a report needs to be presented at CMT in November/December. A public meeting had been held in May 2017 where a number ofresidents attended and were happy with the proposals. The facility would be the first with amenities to take trade waste and furniture re-use. They hoped to have the facility operational in the summer of 2018 subject to financial approval.

Councillor Clark reminded members that the Member Development Group were looking to hold a seminar on Household Waste Recycling Centres. It was highlighted by the Strategic Waste Manager a Waste Seminar was being considered by the Head of Service in the future to offer advice and information on wide ranging waste issues.

Councillor Clare commented that the information contained in the report was helpful and referred to landlords and how some were left with rubbish from tenants which they had to dispose of but, because they were landlords it was considered as trade waste even when using their own private vehicle. He asked if the service was aware of these issues and if there was any way landlords could be helped as they were paying full council tax for the property when it was empty so why was the waste not classed as residential.

Officers responded that the service supported landlords but principally they were a business and therefore landlord waste was generally defined as commercial waste.  It was highlighted that legislation was not specific regarding aspects of Landlord waste and hence the service applied a consistent and fair approach but on a case by case basis.

Councillor Clare commented that if a tenant was moving out they had the right to take waste to the household waste recycling centre and could do so in the landlord’s vehicle as long as the permit was in the tenant’s name. The Officer confirmed that this was correct as long as the permit was in the tenant’s name and that they were present in the vehicle.

The Strategic Waste Manager advised members that if they had any additional questions to email him on the email address in the presentation papers.

The Chair thanked the officers for their attendance at the meeting and reminded members that they should take the opportunity to view the CCTV camera’s that had been brought in.

Resolved: That the report be noted.