To receive from Members any declarations of interest.

None were declared.

To respond to general questions and statements from members of the public in accordance with the Public Participation Procedure as set out in Part 4G of the Constitution.

No members of the public had registered to speak.

To outline the possible options for the commissioning of the kerbside collection of household waste and street cleansing services in Central Bedfordshire and recommend a preferred commissioning route.

1.      That the Council offers a harmonised waste collection service across the whole of Central Bedfordshire.

2.         That the Council commits to increasing recycling rates to meet targets of 50% by 2020 and 55% by 2025.

3.         To achieve the above commitments, the Council will:

·           Introduce a weekly food waste collection to the south of Central Bedfordshire.

·           Maintain a free green (garden) waste collection service to all residents, where possible offering the choice of a bin or reusable bags.

·           Approve the separate collection of glass as a desired future additional service to residents and include as an optional item in the procurement of the services.

·           Support residents to maximise recycling by the use of proactive, targeted officer and contractor support particularly to those having difficulties.

·           Following the introduction of the new recycling services and initiatives across the whole of Central Bedfordshire, recycling rates should improve the residual waste volumes decrease; when this has been achieved, a further report will be considered by the Executive seeking authority to implement a three-weekly residual collection service.

3.         To authorise the Assistant Director – Environmental  Services, in consultation with the Executive Member for Community Services, and working in conjunction with procurement officers to commence and carry out a full procurement process compliant with the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 to out-source the services to a third-party supplier in order to maximise cost efficiencies.

The Executive considered a report and presentation from the Executive Member for Community Services on the options for the kerbside collection of household waste in Central Bedfordshire.  The report also outlined the options for the commissioning of the kerbside collection of household waste and street cleansing services, taking account of the outcome of the public consultation and recommended a preferred commissioning route.

In response to questions, the Executive Member for Community Services explained the approaches that had been taken to seeking the views of residents.  The Council was keen to build on the level of public engagement and to support residents in maximising their recycling to help decrease residual waste.  In addition, the packaging industry was taking steps to increase the use of recyclable materials in its products.

In response to a question, the Director of Community explained that the Council was not proposing to impose fines on residents, but to support them in understanding what materials could be recycled.  Officers were also considering the option of the contractor not only collecting the waste but also being responsible for its disposal.  He confirmed that the harmonisation of services across Central Bedfordshire would itself deliver savings.

The proposals had been considered by scrutiny which was supportive of the suggested way forward. 

Reason for decision:  To enable the Council to tender for the waste collection and street cleansing services to commence in 2019.

RESOLVED

1.      that the Council offers a harmonised waste collection service across the whole of Central Bedfordshire;

2.         that the Council commits to increasing recycling rates to meet targets of 50% by 2020 and 55% by 2025;

3.         to achieve the above commitments, the Council will:

·           Introduce a weekly food waste collection to the south of Central Bedfordshire.

·           Maintain a free green (garden) waste collection service to all residents, where possible offering the choice of a bin or reusable bags.

·           Approve the separate collection of glass as a desired future additional service to residents and include as an optional item in the procurement of the services.

·           Support residents to maximise recycling by the use of proactive, targeted officer and contractor support particularly to those having difficulties.

·           Following the introduction of the new recycling services and initiatives across the whole of Central Bedfordshire, recycling rates should improve and the residual waste volumes decrease; when this has been achieved, a further report will be considered by the Executive seeking authority to implement a three-weekly residual collection service.

4.    to authorise the Assistant Director – Environmental  Services, in consultation with the Executive Member for Community Services, and working in conjunction with procurement officers to commence and carry out a full procurement process compliant with the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 to out-source the services to a third-party supplier in order to maximise cost efficiencies.

The decision was unanimous.

The report seeks approval for the Council’s Housing Revenue Account (HRA) to purchase residential accommodation identified in exempt papers. The rationale is to provide transitional accommodation to clients presenting as homeless (CBC has a statutory obligation to provide accommodation).

To authorise the Director of Community Services, in consultation with the Executive Member for Assets and Housing Delivery, to approve the acquisitions identified in the exempt papers.

The Executive considered a report from the Executive Member for Adults, Social Care and Housing Operations that sought approval for the Council to purchase residential accommodation, as identified in the exempt papers, funded by the Housing Revenue Account..

Reason for decision:  The Council had a statutory obligation to provide accommodation and purchasing additional accommodation would provide transitional homes to residents that become homeless.

RESOLVED

to authorise the Director of Community Services, in consultation with the Executive Member for Assets and Housing Delivery, to approve the acquisitions identified in the exempt papers.

To receive the Exempt Appendix.

See minute E/17/146.