Agenda and minutes

Minutes of the meeting held on 29 June 2022,  attached.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 29 June 2022 be signed as a correct record.

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

There was no item raised as a matter of urgency.

Report of the Director of Climate Change, Environment and Transport (CET/22/55)

The Committee considered the report and presentation of the Director of Climate Change  (CET/22/55) which provided Members with an overview of waste performance statistics for Devon and Torbay for 2021/2022.

In reference to the National picture, it was noted that funding by the Welsh Assembly provided greater waste service opportunities for the country. 

Recycling in Devon continued at a consistent rate, with a small reduction last year. 

It was noted that Exeter City Council food waste scheme was not a pilot scheme and was currently  in the third phase of roll out. Greater education of waste collections for new residents in the city would be welcomed particularly at the start of the academic year.

The Committee requested that future results published in September  be circulated to District Officers for dissemination to the Devon Authorities Strategic Waste Committee prior  to inclusion in the committee papers.

Devon remained one of the highest performing Waste Disposal Authorities in England achieving a recycling rate of 55.3% in 2020/21 and, retained its position as second highest preforming Waste Disposal Authority, nationally.

Torbay had achieved a recycling rate of 35.5% in 2020/21, reflecting a slight reduction from the previous year. 

It was noted that the average recycling rate for Devon Waste Collection Authority reduced  from 51.5% to 49.8%.

It was MOVED by Councillor Dewhirst, SECONDED by Councillor Slade and

RESOLVED that

(a)  the performance statistics for 2021/22 and the ongoing challenges arising from impact of the Covid19 pandemic & the current geopolitical landscape be noted;

(b)  support be continued for Devon Authorities Strategic Waste Committee authorities to provide comprehensive waste services for residents in accordance with the objectives outlined in the Resource and Waste Management Strategy for Devon and Torbay (2020- 2030).

Report of the Director of Climate Change, Environment and Transport (CET/22/56)

The Committee considered the report and presentation of the Director of Climate Change  (CET/22/56) which detailed  a proposal to postpone the allocation of the 2021/22 underspend until the publication of the results of the Waste Composition Analysis.  It was noted that the underspend of £57,895 was due mainly to the impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic.

In referring to the Waste and Recycling Advisors (WRA) Contract, it was noted that the Advisors offer advice on a range of issues including waste prevention, reuse and recycling. The plan for 2023/24 is to continue to build on the achievements of the work carried out in the previous years.  Members considered the work of the WRAs to be invaluable and welcomed the proposal to extend the WRA contract for a further year.

During general discussion regarding the schemes, the main areas of spend in 2022/23 included the Don’t let Devon go to waste campaign work; to meet the targets in the Waste Prevention and Reuse Strategy Action Plan; Waste Composition Analysis of the residual bins in Devon and Torbay; and the Waste Recycling Adviser contract.  The Committee generally supported the budget proposal but a contrary view from the representative of South Hams District Council was expressed that any underspend be returned to the authorities.

It was MOVED by Councillor Dewhirst, SECONDED by Councillor Slade and

RESOLVED that:

(a)  the  budget for 2023/24 be approved;

(b)      the proposal to wait on the results of the waste compositional analysis before deciding at the February 2023 meeting how to allocate the 2021/22 underspend be approved;

(c)      the Waste and Recycling Advisor (WRA) contract be extended for a year.

Members to provide an update on their council’s position and progress with regard to the aligned service and convergence initiatives

The Committee shared information about waste and recycling in their areas and noted progress made across the County to align waste and recycling services.

East Devon District Council

A proposal to be discussed at the Council’s Partnership Board to change the first collection to  an earlier time of 6am.

South Hams District Council

Introduction of a garden waste collection at a cost of £49  per annum subscription will commence  from March.

West Devon District Council

No changes currently

Torridge District Council

Discussions about a three weekly collection cycle in line with the convergence of other authorities.

Exeter City Council

Progression with food waste collection scheme progressing in phase three of the scheme.  Currently 7.2% of the Exeter residents currently have a food waste collection.

North Devon District Council

Problems have been encountered with drivers lately. 

Teignbridge District Council

A fully aligned service is currently in place. Charges for sacks have been introduced.  Consultation with Exeter City Council regarding processing of recycling in ongoing.  

Mid Devon District Council

Three weekly collections have commenced.  30,000 black wheelie bins have been delivered with hang tags detailing the new scheme throughout the district with seagull sacks offered to households unable to accommodate a bin.

The next meeting of the Devon Authorities Strategic Waste Committee will be Thursday 23 February 2023.

Future meetings will be held on:

28 June 2023

17 October 2023

21 February 2024

The next meetings of the Devon Authorities Strategic Waste Committee will be:

22 February 2023
28 June 2023
17 October 2023
21 February 2024