Agenda item

To submit a report by the Head of Highways, Property and Waste.

The report of the Head of Highways, Waste and Property was submitted for consideration by the Committee.

The Portfolio Member for Highways, Waste and Property said that the Resources and Recycling Strategic Plan for 2023-2028 supports the Council’s key ambitions in the Council Plan.  The Council Plan states that by 2028 the Council needs to reach a recycling rate of 70% and to reach the target of net zero carbon emissions by 2030.  He noted that all residents and tourists have a duty to reduce waste and to increase recycling.  The Council has a good working relationship with partner organisations within the WLGA, Welsh Government and WRAP Cymru to assist in reaching these target rates of recycling of 70% and at present the current recycling rates on Anglesey is 64% (which can vary during different periods within the year).  The Portfolio Member referred to the recent six weeks public consultation which took place between 11 September and 20 October, 2023.  The consultation was designed to gather feedback on the key work streams to reduce, reuse and recycle more of household waste and nearly 200 responded to the consultation process (the response received was highlighted within the consultation document attached to the report).   He further said that reference has been made that the recycling box to hold carboard is insufficient and other avenues of affording cardboard collection needs to be considered i.e. affording sacks for additional carboard.   He further noted that there is a need to re-educate people as to importance of recycling and especially the younger generation .

The Chief Waste Management Officer reported that the main strategic priorities are to reduce waste, increase recycling, reduce fly-tipping, improve street cleaning together with improving recycling and waste within Council buildings.  He also noted that to deliver services that are fit for the future there will be a need for efficient fleet to ultra-low emission vehicles that will need to transfer from diesel vehicles to electric vehicles to collect waste and recycling and the machinery within the recycling site at Gwalchmai and Penhesgyn in the future.  He further said that the consultation process was supportive of the need to increase recycling and to reduce the black bin waste.

In considering the report, the Committee discussed the following main matters:-

·         Reference was made that the Resource and Recycling Strategic Plan’s objectives are ambitious.  Questions were raised as to what else can the Council do to achieve the 70% statutory recycling rate by 2020.  The Chief Waste Management Officer responded that the recycling rate of 70% in Wales is high and residents on the Island have already been able to achieve a 64% recycling level.  He noted that other ways of recycling will need to examined with raising awareness of the importance of recycling and to consider other ways to make sure that everything that can be recycled is recycled.  An analysis has been undertaken of the contents of black bin waste and there are still recyclable materials within the black bins that can be recycled. 

·         Questions were raised as to how the Resource and Recycling Strategic Plan will help the Council to achieve its commitment to become carbon net zero

by 2030.  Further questions were raised as to whether the Welsh Governments’ 2030 carbon net zero is ambitious due to the financial economy. The Chief Waste Management Officer responded that the Wales Strategic Plan also refers that the reason for recycling is important so that carbon zero targets are reached and there will be a need to investigate as to how the recyclable material is collected with the need for electric and hydrogen vehicles.  However, at present hydrogen vehicles are currently being developed as it is part of new technology.   The Chief Executive said that the Council is committed in reaching the carbon net zero targets by 2030. However, it will be dependent on financial resources to reach the target.  He referred to the 3 elements with the Strategic Plan i.e  decarbonisation of Council buildings is required if financial resources are available, but he considered that the Authority has several historical buildings that need to be considered for future use. The fleet plan needs to be investigated but it is also dependent on capital resources and an all-Wales tendering process would alleviate costs burden on local authorities.  Procurement measures will also need to be investigated to make sure that partners organisations within the private sector are committed to carbon net zero.

·         Reference was made to the response to the consultation process undertaken as part of the Resource and Recycling Strategic Plan.  Questions were raised as to whether it was considered disappointing that only 22% responded to the consultation. The Chief Waste Management Officer responded that the consultation process was undertaken through the Council’s website and promoted through the social media channels.  It was also shared amongst Anglesey’s ageing well community forums.  Further reference was made that a quarter of the responders considered that the service was poor/very poor.  The Service Strategy & Business Manager responded that 75 responders commented that the ‘recycling trolley boxes’ are easily broken, not enough capacity within the boxes as regards to carboard and plastics, rubbish on the streets following the collection of the recycling materials and people unsure what they are able to recycle.   He noted that work is currently undertaken with WRAP Cymru to review the currently provision provided.

·         Reference was made during the consultation process as to the need to increase the facility for carboard collection.   Questions were raised that there has been no mention of the inadequate size of the brown food bin as food waste could be saved from having to be disposed into landfill which could contribute to increase carbon emissions.   Further comments were made that the number of brown food bins put out for collection is low.  The Chief Waste Management Officer responded that an analysis was undertaken into food waste within black bins.  Whilst it is acknowledged that food waste should be avoided, the Authority needs to focus on different avenues for the collection of food waste.  The Chief Executive referred to Page 10 of the strategic priorities which focuses on the way forward as regards to recycling and disposal of waste.  He noted that the Strategic Plan is a corporate resource across the services of the Council in respect of educating and communicating with the public as regards to the need to recycle and reduce waste.  He suggested that the Committee should recommend to the Executive that further analysis needs to be undertaken as regards to this matter.

·         Questions were raised as to how additional waste can be collected on street collection bins.  The Chief Waste Management Officer responded that over 600 street collection bins are located on the Island; there are 15 bins which has recycling facilities for separation of waste.   He noted that the standard of the recycling within these bins are poor due to contamination which result in difficulties to recycle.  Whilst the management of these facilities is a challenge, additional  facilities need to be place in further areas within the Island over the next few years.  The Chief Executive suggested that the Committee should recommend to the Executive that further recycling street collection bins should be erected, especially within town centres and coastal areas.  He further said that there is a link also between the Destination Plan and the AONB Plan of the Authority.

·         Questions were raised as to what risks have been identified that could impact the delivery of the Resource and Recycling Strategic Plan.  The Chief Waste Management Officer responded that the main risk to the Strategic Plan is capital resources with major changes ahead due to the need to changes to the fleet to electric/hydrogen vehicles, need to change the bins and services provided and to maintain the current services.  He further said that there are risks to any changes that may occur to legislation and fines can be faced if targets are not reached.  The materials that are currently recycled is sold to generate income to fund the service but the market for such materials can fluctuate.  Further questions were raised as to the financial implications for the Council to implement the Strategic Plan.  The Chief Waste Management Office responded there are immense capital financial implications as been noted previously and financial resources needs to be invested in the infrastructure and address any changes to Health & Safety Regulations in the future. 

·         Questions were raised as to whether there are costs implications if the recycling materials are not washed and whether it is worthless.  The Chief Waste Management Officer responded that the majority of residents  do comply with the requirement to wash their recycling materials but if the standard of the recycling is poor then the value of the recycling does decrease.  Further comments were made that there seems to be an increase in ‘take-aways’ facilities in town centres.  Questions were raised as to whether a planning condition can be imposed that they must afford a waste bin on any approval of a planning application for a ‘take-away’ facility.  The Chief Waste Management Officer responded that he would welcome such a condition on a ‘take-away’ facility, however, the packaging waste would also need to be separated into the correct recycling boxes.

·         Reference was made within the Strategic Plan that there is a need to address  fly-tipping.  Questions were raised as how this can be tackled across the Island and how many have been prosecuted for fly-tipping last year.  The Chief Waste Management Officer responded that there was no prosecution for fly-tipping on the Island last year.  He noted that prosecuting fly-tipping in any local authority through court proceeding is low as resources is needed to enforce enforcement and to secure evidence and prosecution of fly-tipping.   However, enforcement is required to reduce fly-tipping as it has a negative effect on town and communities and there is a need to convey that fly-tipping is unacceptable. The Service Strategy & Business Manager said that consideration is currently been given to increase the financial penalty for fly-tipping which is currently £75 in comparison to other local authorities in North Wales who charge between £200 - £400.  Further questions were raised as to whether a recycling facility could be located in Holyhead as it seems that fly-tipping is higher within this area. The Chief Waste Management Officer responded that there are currently no additional sites planned on Anglesey.  The Chief Executive said some people do not have the facilities to be able to take their recycling materials to the recycling centre.  He noted that ‘community skips’ were popular over several years ago in the communities.  The Council works with a partner organisation Keep Wales Tidy in coastal areas with volunteers helping to clear waste.  He said that different aspect of recycling facilities could be discuss under the Shared Prosperity Scheme.

·         It was RESOLVED:-

·         To note the Isle of Anglesey Resources and Recycling Strategic Plan 2023-2028;

·         To recommend to the full Council that the Isle of Anglesey Resources and Recycling Strategic Plan 2023-2028 be adopted.

ACTIONS :

·       That the Resources and Recycling Strategic Plan on specific actions includes the increase in food recycling rates;

• That consideration needs to be given when planning applications are submitted for fast food outlets that a waste disposal bin needs to be provided;  
• To note that recycling and waste is a corporate responsibility across a number of Council Services and that Keep Anglesey Tidy campaigns should be afforded to educate children and young people the importance of recycling;

Recycling bin waste in our coastal towns and communities is an aspect that needs further attention and is a matter linked to other strategic plans such as the Destination Management Plan, the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Management Plan.