Agenda item

Report of the Chief Officer for Highways, Infrastructure Development and Waste (HIW/20/37) seeking approval of the Resource & Waste Management Strategy for Devon and Torbay, attached.

An Impact Assessment is also attached for the attention of Members at this meeting.

The draft Strategy is available from the agenda page for this meeting as an additional document, and can also be found as Appendix I to report HIW/20/34 at https://democracy.devon.gov.uk/documents/s32889/HIW-20-34.pdf.

(Councillors Biederman, Connett, Dewhirst and Hannaford attended remotely in accordance with Standing Order 25(2) and the Local Authorities and Police and Crime Panels (Coronavirus) (Flexibility of Local Authority and Police and Crime Panel Meetings) (England and Wales) Regulations 2020 and spoke to this item).

The Cabinet considered the Report of the Chief Officer for Highways, Infrastructure Development and Waste (HIW/20/37) seeking approval of the Resource & Waste Management Strategy for Devon and Torbay. The Report had been circulated prior to the meeting in accordance with regulation 7(4) of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012.

The Report described how Devon Local Authorities and Torbay would manage Local Authority Collected Waste (household waste, litter, flytipped, street sweepings and some trade) from 2020-2030. The delivery of the Strategy would be overseen by the Devon Authorities Strategic Waste Committee. Whilst Torbay were party to the Strategy, as a Unitary Authority they would also have their own.

Following its approval at the Devon Authorities Strategic Waste Committee (DASWC) meeting on 15th October 2020 the draft Strategy required the approval of the individual local authorities for proceeding to public consultation before returning to Cabinet in 2021 for final approval.

Waste Prevention and Reuse were critically important areas of the Strategy. Less waste meant that the costs of collection and recycling/disposal were reduced along with a reduced carbon footprint. The key targets for each were highlighted in the Report including Carbon targets and how the Strategy contributed to a net zero carbon for Devon and Torbay by 2050 at the latest, recycling targets including recycling at least 60% of household waste by 2025 and 65% by 2035 and other actions such as continuing to support Don’t let Devon go to Waste and Recycle Devon.

The Chief Officer’s Report incorporated an Impact Assessment for the attention of Members at the meeting. This highlighted that the focus of the draft Strategy meant positive impacts on the environment, including a reduction in greenhouse gases. There was also potential for improved social cohesion, skills development and resilience, via community engagement (e.g. repair cafes). The Strategy would also align with the Circular Economy and Green Recovery plans so a potential for new jobs due to the need to increase reuse and recycling and enable businesses to recycle more. When implementing campaigns and any changes to services, Local Authorities would ensure information was written in plain English and available in a variety of formats and languages where appropriate so they were accessible to all.

The matter having been debated and the options and/or alternatives and other relevant factors (e.g. financial, sustainability (including carbon impact), risk management, equality and legal considerations and public health impact) set out in the Chief Officer’s Report and/or referred to above having been considered:

it was MOVED by Councillor Davis, SECONDED by Councillor Hart, and

RESOLVED that

(a) the draft Resource and Waste Management Strategy for Devon and Torbay be approved for consultation; and

(b) delegated authority be given to the Chief Officer for Highways, Infrastructure Development and Waste in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Infrastructure Development and Waste on any necessary changes to the draft strategy prior to consultation.

(NB: The Impact Assessment referred to above may be viewed alongside Minutes of this meeting and may also be available on the Impact Assessment Webpages).