Agenda item

A period of 30 minutes has been set aside for members of the public to ask questions on matters set out on the agenda for tonight’s meeting.

The Chair, Councillor Gartside, invited questions from members of the public present at the meeting and the following issues were raised:

·      A number of residents raised concerns in relation to potential health hazards from flies, maggots and vermin as a result of the proposal to empty grey bins every 3 weeks.

Councillor Isherwood, Cabinet Member for Environment, stated that he did not anticipate any increase is flies, maggots and vermin as a result of the new collection arrangements and explained that no food waste should be going into the grey bin. All food waste would be collected fortnightly through the brown bin collection round.

·      In response to a number of questions relating to difficulties faced by large families the Cabinet Member explained that the overall bin space across all four bins would not reduce and highlighted that green and blue bins would be emptied more frequently. For large families who are recycling as much as possible but still struggle with capacity a waste audit can be arranged and an extra grey bin provided if necessary.

·      With regard to a question concerning the assumptions and business case on which the proposals were based the Cabinet Member explained that this information was set out in the Zero Waste Strategy. The Cabinet Member reported that evidence shows that restricting residual waste collections has a positive impact on rates of recycling and referred to the increase in Bury from 28% to 47% following the switch to fortnightly collections.

·      In response to a question concerning the recent campaign to encourage people to take smaller 140 litre grey bins, the Cabinet Member reported that residents wishing to upsize to a 240 litre bin could do so at no cost.

·      Alison Moses enquired if the proposals were driven by financial reasons or the need to increase recycling rates. The Cabinet Member referred to the budget cuts faced by the Council and reported that the proposals would achieve savings and increase recycling rates.

·      Councillor Walker highlighted the change of policy from encouraging the use of smaller grey bins. Councillor Southworth, Deputy Cabinet Member for the Environment, explained that many of the residents who took up the offer of a 140 litre bin were single person households and it is hoped that they would be able to manage with 3 weekly collections. The Deputy Cabinet Member re-iterated that those who need to upsize could do so free of charge.

·      Councillor Wright stated that the decision had been taken in a non transparent way with no public consultation.

·      In response to a question from Councillor Gunther concerning the cost of disposing of green waste, the Cabinet Member reported that although there was an associated cost of disposal of £61 per tonne, this was still a large saving when set against the £284 per tonne  of disposing of residual waste.

·      In response to a request from Councillor Shori, the Cabinet Member confirmed that he was happy for a steering group to be set up with the Sedgley community and senior officers.  

·      With regard to the issue of non recyclable plastics such as margarine and yoghurt pots, the Cabinet Member stated that the Council were urging GMWDA to look at this issue. Mr David Taylor from GMWDA explained that the Authority was seeking sustainable markets for these lower grade materials. 

·      In response to concerns raised by Councillor Hussain in relation to fly tipping, the Deputy Cabinet Member stated that she believed there was no reason this would increase as a result of the proposals. Where fly tipping does occur the Deputy Cabinet Member stressed that the council would continue to take robust enforcement action.