Agenda item

For the Select Committee to scrutinise a report of the Director of Economy, Transport and Environment regarding a revised overall strategic direction for waste management in Hampshire, in advance of its consideration by the Executive Member for Environment and Transport on the afternoon of 14 November 2017.

The Select Committee received a presentation on behalf of the Director of the Economy Transport and Environment Department regarding waste management, in support of a report on the Waste Strategy (see Item 6 in the Minute Book). The report was due for consideration at the Decision Day of the Executive Member for Environment and Transport later that day.

Cllr Kyrle declared a non-pecuniary interest in this item; that he was Executive Member for Waste at Eastleigh Borough Council, and sat on the Project Integra Board (the Waste Partnership). Cllr Heron also declared a non-pecuniary interest in this item; that he also sat on the Project Integra Board. (both members remained in the meeting)

Members heard that savings of £8m had been made in waste services between 2012 and 2017, however there was a target to make a further £4.8m in savings under the ‘transformation to 2019’ programme. It was reported that while Hampshire has high levels of landfill diversion (93.94%), the area performs poorly for recycling rates compared to other councils (the highest performing collection authority in Hampshire recycles 40.2% of waste, which ranks at 214).

Officers estimate potential growth in waste volumes, and determine the cost implications of growth in waste. Improving recycling rates could help manage the costs of managing waste. Behavioural insights was being explored to help change residents behaviour.

Consideration was also being given to opportunities to invest in infrastructure to support further recycling. From an options appraisal the preferred option was to build a single central Material Recovery Facility (MRF) to replace the existing facilities in Portsmouth and Alton. Discussions were underway with the partners to the Project Integra waste partnership, regarding what additional types of recyclable material the new facility could sort, as this would impact on district and borough councils as collection authorities.

It was also proposed to set up a grant fund to support local enterprise to set up initiatives for the reuse of bulky household waste items.

Members asked questions for clarification, and discussed the proposed direction for waste management in Hampshire. It was discussed that options to improve recycling would need to consider the costs of investment required, and costs that may impact on other parts of the system/other partners. It was noted that it was proposed to hold a workshop on waste for Members in the new year to consider these issues further.  

The Chairman proposed that the Select Committee support the recommendations being put to the Executive Member in section nine of the report. The recommendations were put to the vote and carried (support for 9.2 and 9.3 unanimous, 9.1 9 in favour and 3 abstentions). Those abstaining were not willing to support the strategic direction for waste management without further information. The Chairman noted that at this point it was a direction rather than a strategy, and the committee could continue to comment as the strategic approach was developed further.

RECOMMENDED:

That the Economy, Transport and Environment Select Committee support the recommendations being proposed to the Executive Member for Environment and Transport in Section 9 of the attached report.