Issue - meetings

REPORT OF THE SERVICE DIRECTOR – PLACE

To Consider the Report on Garden Waste Concessionary Charges.

RECOMMENDED TO CABINET:

(1)       That the concessionary rates principles as proposed in para 8.2 be agreed;

(2)       That the decision as to whether the implementation of Direct Debits is practicable for August 2020 be delegated to the Service Director of Place, in consultation with the Executive Member for Recycling and Waste Management.

REASON FOR DECISIONS: To deliver objectives set out in the Councils plan and to implement the recommendations in 2020/21.

Audio Recording – Session 2 - 34 Minutes 50 Seconds

Prior to the commencement of the item, Councillor Carol Stanier declared a Declarable Interest in that being the Deputy Executive Member for Recycling and Waste Management, she had taken part in the development of the proposals contained in the report. She advised that would leave the room for the duration of the item and take no part in the debate or vote.

The Committee considered a report entitled Garden Waste Service on the implementation of concessionary rates and to reconsider implementation of direct debits for future garden waste charges commencing 2020/21.

The Shared Waste Services Manager Informed Members of the following:

·                That the Council had approximately 55,000 households of which 90% were eligible for the garden waste service;

·                In 2018/19 approximately 29,000 households had signed up to the service at a cost of £40;

·                At the time of writing the report, 26,666 households had signed up to the service in 2019/20;

·                There was a proposed concessionary rate of 50% reduction in the standard charge; and

·                Concessions would only apply to households in receipt of Council Tax Reduction.

Members discussed at length their concerns with the proposals and the implementation of direct debits for future garden waste charges.

The following Members asked questions and took part in the debate:

·                Councillor David Levett;

·                Councillor Sam Collins;

·                Councillor Claire Strong;

·                Councillor Terry Hone;

·                Councillor Terry Hone; and

·                Councillor Helen Oliver.

In response to these concerns, the Shared Waste Services Manager and Councillor Elizabeth Dennis-Harburg, Executive Member for Recycling and Waste Management, responded as follows:

·                Testing was being carried out to ensure the payment page was reliable in order to prevent any disruption to service users;

·                The ability to pay by Direct Debit for future garden waste charges would only be available to households not in receipt of Council Tax reduction;

·                The current contract allowed for Direct Debit payments;

·                Consultation had not taken place with those in receipt of Council Tax Reduction regarding the proposed concessionary rate; and

·                60% of those in receipt of Council Tax reduction would be willing to pay the reduced rate.

RECOMMENDED TO CABINET:

(1)       That the concessionary rates principles as proposed in para 8.2 be agreed;

(2)       That the decision as to whether the implementation of Direct Debits is practicable for August 2020 be delegated to the Service Director of Place, in consultation with the Executive Member for Recycling and Waste Management.

REASON FOR DECISIONS: To deliver objectives set out in the Councils plan and to implement the recommendations in 2020/21.