Agenda item

The report was introduced by the Interim Executive Director for Environment, Mr Geoff Mee.   He provided a summary of the report funded by the Mayor of London which identified mechanisms by which Barnet can deliver the aims of the Mayor’s London Environment Strategy (LES) via the Council’s Reduction and Recycling Plan (RRP).   Mr Mee gave an overview of the Medium Term Financial Strategy savings targets that the Council had considered for the Environment portfolio which included the possibility of introducing charges for household garden waste collections.   He requested that Members gave consideration to the report and it’s recommendation.

Councillor Simberg requested to know if residents were able to make direct debts for the service and if the Council Tax support scheme could be aligned with green waste charges.  He added that this should be considered by the Committee and agreed if acceptable.    Mr Mee said that if requested by the Committee he would look into the matter.  

Members had the opportunity to consider the report and make comments. The Council’s Service Change Manager for Street Scene was in attendance to provide a response to comments and questions

Councillor Peter Zinkin noted that a number of neighbouring Councils and many other local authorities across the Country had implemented charges for Garden Waste.  

Councillor Alan Schneiderman outlined that he didn’t support the report and stated that residents also didn’t support the charges.    

Councillor Jo Cooper outlined concerns about residual waste and contamination of recycling.  She stated that the implementation of changes would lead to fly-tipping, bonfires would increase and trips to recycling centres would increase, adding to the carbon footprint. Councillor Cooper requested that a definition be provided to Members on residual waste.  Councillor Peter Zinkin noted that this information was available on the Council’s website

Before the voting process Councillor Alan Schneiderman said that he would vote against the report.   He noted the report’s recommendations and therefore he requested that the Committee refuse the report, he further requested that the Committee agree to retain a free garden waste collection service for residents.  This was noted.

The Chairman outlined that earlier in the meeting there had been the following suggestions from Councillor Simberg,

-       That the Interim Executive Director, Environment find a way to introduce direct debt payments for the service (10 monthly payments)

-       That the Interim Director for Environment look into the possibility of aligning the council tax support scheme with green waste charges 

This was seconded by Councillor Laithe Jajeh.

The Chairman requested that the reports recommendations and the above two listed amendments be voted on:

Resolved:

1.         That the Environment Committee considered the report, the consultation report (appendix A and section 6) and equalities impact assessment (appendix B and section 5.6) and agreed the introduction of charges for household garden waste collections.

2.   That the Environment Committee agreed the following elements of the service:

- The service will become chargeable from 6 April 2020.

- There will be up to 23 collections a year, the service year will run from April.

- The charge will be a fixed charge of £70 per bin per year, payable through credit or debit card.

- Authority to be delegated to the Interim Executive Director of Environment in consultation with the Chairman of the Environment Committee authority to agree the level of any discounted charge for additional garden waste bins beyond the first bin.

- Sign up to the service will be online although assistance will be given when required.

- Stickers will be used to identify bins that have been paid for.

- Existing Household Recycling & Waste Policies relating to contamination of refuse and recycling bins will be applied.

3. That the Environment Committee agreed to delegate to the Interim Executive Director of Environment in consultation with the Chairman of the Environment Committee authority to implement the decision of the Committee and make any necessary alterations to the proposals of this report.

The vote recorded was:

For – 6

Against –  4