Agenda and minutes

Minutes of the meeting held on 18 October 2016, previously circulated

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting held on 18 October be signed as a correct record.

Items which in the opinion of the Chairman should be considered at the meeting as matters of urgency.

The Chairman welcomed Mr N Scott to thank him for his work as Devon Community Composting Network Co-ordinator for 21 years across Devon and Torbay. The Chairman and Members thanked Mr Scott for his valued and dedicated service for Devon communities.   

Report of the Chief Officer for Highways, Infrastructure Development and Waste (HIW/17/2) attached

The Committee considered the Report of the Chief Officer for Highways, Infrastructure Development and Waste (HIW/17/2) on the current joint contracts and a proposal for the sale of recycled plastic and card by the Councils. The Report also outlined an update of existing contracts for paper, glass, bulk haulage and textiles, and discussions relating to a plastics and cardboard joint contract with the partner councils and current contractual commitments. 

The Committee also received a presentation on the fluctuating prices for recycled paper, textiles, glass, plastics and cardboard and the financial impact for North Devon District Council. 

It was MOVED by Councillor Croad, SECONDED by Councillor Sampson and

RESOLVED

(a) that the overall success of the majority of joint contracts for the sale of glass, paper and textiles and bulk haulage be noted;

(b) that the proposal to not proceed with joint contracts for cardboard and plastics at this current time be supported;

(c) that other opportunities for joint procurement of products or services be explored.

Report of the Chief Officer for Highways, Infrastructure Development and Waste (HIW/17/3) attached

The Committee considered the Report of the Chief Officer for Highways, Infrastructure Development and Waste (HIW/17/3) and received a presentation on the draft Waste Prevention and Reuse Strategy for Devon and Torbay (which formed a supplementary document to the Waste and Resource Strategy for Devon and the Municipal Waste Management Strategy for Torbay).

The Waste Prevention and Reuse Strategy (Appendix 1 to Report HIW/17/3) provided a framework and policies which would lead to a reduction in the Local Authority Collected Waste (LACW) arisings in Devon and Torbay with the following objectives:   

•    reduce waste volumes in the most economical way possible;

•    achieve long term behavioural change amongst Devon’s and Torbay’s residents;

•    address the environmental consequences of resource depletion and waste disposal;

•    meet the relevant policies in the Waste and Resource Management Strategy for Devon           and the Municipal Waste Management Strategy for Torbay.

Members and officers from the partner local authorities outlined their current policies and the trend of more consistent practices across the partner areas. Members noted that the last analysis of Devon’s dustbins carried out in 2012 showed that food waste (24%) represented significantly the largest proportion of waste material, reflected in the proposed action plan, policies and priorities. Members also referred to the need for further analysis of the content of Devon dustbins, noting the cost implications of such an exercise.    

It was MOVED by Councillor King, SECONDED by Councillor Croad and

RESOLVED that the draft Waste Prevention and Reuse Strategy and Action Plan be noted; and that the priorities for the Action Plan be agreed and progress monitored.

Torbay Council to report

The Committee noted the contract specifications, requirements and targets and the award of the contract to ‘Resource Futures’ which had considerable experience in the area and continuing detailed negotiations about implementation including allocation of advisors’ time and services over three local authority cluster groups.   

At its meeting on 4th November 2016, the Devon Local Government Steering Group considered a briefing note from Teignbridge District Council on Litter, Street Cleansing and Enforcement in Teignbridge. In discussion, Members raised and asked questions on the potential for prevention / education and co-ordinated activities including pooled budgets and / or grant funding, stronger messages regarding prosecutions and the role of the Devon Authorities Strategic Waste Committee. It was agreed that the issue be raised at the Devon Authorities Strategic Waste Committee for further consideration of options.

Work is currently being undertaken to look at this further and a paper will be brought to the Devon Authorities Strategic Waste Committee at its meeting in June 2017 for consideration.

Recommendation:  Members note the position.

The Committee noted that  the Devon Local Government Steering Group had at its meeting on 4th November 2016, considered a briefing note from Teignbridge District Council on Litter, Street Cleansing and Enforcement in Teignbridge. In discussion, Members raised and asked questions on the potential for prevention / education and co-ordinated activities including pooled budgets and / or grant funding, stronger messages regarding prosecutions and the role of the Devon Authorities Strategic Waste Committee. Work was currently being undertaken to look at this further and a further report would be brought to the Committee in June 2017 for consideration.

Chief Officer for Highways, Infrastructure Development and Waste to report.

The Chief Officer for Highways, Infrastructure Development and Waste reported on the Work Programme and including a proposal for consideration of a residual food waste survey.

28 June; 1 November 2017 and 7 February 2018

28 June, 1 November 2017 and 7 February 2018  

Note: The County Council calendar of meetings is available at:

 http://democracy.devon.gov.uk/mgCalendarMonthView.aspx?GL=1&bcr=1