Issue - meetings

REPORT OF THE SERVICE DIRECTOR – PLACE

To consider and agree initiatives and recompense that recognises the inconvenience caused to our residents due to the impact of Covid 19 on the Garden Waste Collection Service.

RESOLVED: That the report entitles Garden Waste Collection Service Impacts of Covid-19 be noted.

RECOMMENDED TO CABINET: That Council agrees an extension of the current 12 months payment period for green waste collection, for a further period of 2 months [The loss of income based on current (48%) uptake is approximately £186,000].

REASON FOR DECISION: To acknowledge service disruption / suspension in our garden waste collection service and demonstrate to residents that the Council accepts the inconvenience caused during the seasonal peak of garden waste production.

Audio Recording – 1 hour 59 minutes 57 seconds

Councillor Elizabeth Dennis-Harburg, Executive Member for Recycling and Waste Management, presented the report entitled Garden Waste Collection Service Impacts of Covid 19 and drew attention to the following:

·                Three collection had been missed due to Covid-19 out of 26 collections in the year;

·                An extension to the existing period was the most reasonable outcome which would result in a loss of £186,000;

·                This extension would mean the renewal would be in October, which was a low gardening period, which could result in an initial low renewal rate;

·                With the uncertainty of the future relating to Covid-19 it may be that the service has to be suspended again in future;

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

·                Councillor David Levett;

·                Councillor Terry Hone;

·                Councillor Tony Hunter;

·                Councillor Sam Collins;

·                Councillor Claire Strong

In response to questions Councillor Dennis-Harburg advised:

·                Residents received a one year service from the date they paid;

·                There had been a number of issues with implementing direct debits although it was hoped that this service would be available by the renewal date;

·                It had never been policy to collect garden waste from those who had not paid;

·                This was a joint contract with East Herts;

·                There had been a number of collection staff who had self isolated due to Covid 19 and this had affected the ability to continue collections;

·                Drivers of waste vehicles were specialist HGV drivers and could not easily be replaced;

RESOLVED: That the report entitled Garden Waste Collection Service Impacts of Covid-19 be noted.

RECOMMENDED TO CABINET: That Council agrees an extension of the current 12 months payment period for green waste collection, for a further period of 2 months [The loss of income based on current (48%) uptake is approximately £186,000].

REASON FOR DECISION: To acknowledge service disruption / suspension in our garden waste collection service and demonstrate to residents that the Council accepts the inconvenience caused during the seasonal peak of garden waste production.