Agenda item

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

The report of the Head of Highways, Waste and Property was presented for the Committees consideration.

The Portfolio Member for Highways, Waste and Climate Change said that the Council has a statutory obligation to achieve a 70% recycling rate, which is not currently met.  In order to increase the recycling rates and reach the statutory obligation, the Council must consider making changes to the waste collection and recycling arrangements.  There is a requirement to consult with those likely to be affected when any proposal to introduce a significant change to a service is considered, especially where the proposal is to reduce the service.  Since any changes to the collection service will impact every householder on Anglesey, a full consultation process will therefore be required.  He referred to Appendix 1 attached to the report and noted that the Council has set out a clear commitment to protect the environment and reducing carbon footprint within the Council Plan 2023-2028 and recycling plays a vital role in this work.  By reducing the amount of waste that goes to disposal, emissions can be reduce, conserve valuable resources, and help create a cleaner, greener environment for future generations.  The Authority currently recycles 65% which is below the target of 70%, and based on the recycling rates, the Council could face a fine of around £350k per year.  He referred that WRAP Cymru which lists the possible actions needed to increase recycling rates (the link to the documentation was included in Appendix 1).  WRAP Cymru also refers that around 52% of the waste currently placed in black bins on Anglesey could be recycled and they have attended the Penhesgyn Waste Disposal Site to separate the waste in the black bins.  The Portfolio Member for Highways, Waste and Climate Change said that the purpose of the report is to ascertain whether the Scrutiny Committee considers that the questions within the consultation document is adequate and appropriate.  Dependent on the result of the consultation process it could result in a 4 weekly black bin collection in the future.  He noted that it is important to have responses to the consultation, which could be contentious, to gather views as to ways to increasing recycling on the Island. He further that any changes would require investment from around £3m to £16m in new vehicles and improvements at the waste and recycling sites and due to this the earliest potential change to the collection service could be 2029.  There is a potential that Welsh Government will afford grants if it considers that the Authority is committed to reduce waste and increase recycling rates.

The Head of Highways, Waste and Property reported that minor changes will be made to the questionnaire to ensure that it is compatible with virtual requirement on the Council’s website and an additional question was be included as to the impact on the Welsh language to conform with the Equalities Act. 

In considering the report the following main issues were raised:-

·         Reference was made that the target set by Welsh Government for local authorities is to reach a recycling rate of 70%.  Questions were raised as to whether the Authority will face a fine of £350k per year until the proposed changes to the collection service in 2029.  Further questions were raised whether the proposed changes could be brought forward and potentially increasing the recycling rates with the availability of additional recycling provision i.e. increase capacity for carboard collection.  The Portfolio Member for Highways, Waste and Climate Change responded that Welsh Government vision is to ensure that local authorities are striving to increase recycling rates and have a plan in place to reach a recycling target of 70%.  The Head of Highways, Waste and Property said that there will be significant work to be achieved to ensure that the infrastructure is in place before introducing changes to the waste collection service.  He considered that introducing the changes in October 2029 is considered appropriate as there will be a reduction of the high volume of tourist to the Island and will be before the Christmas period.  The Chief Waste Management Officer said that the fines imposed by Welsh Government currently exits for local authorities that do not reach the required recycling rates.  However, constant consultation exists with Welsh Government as they require evidence that the Authority has a credible plan in place to reach the required recycling targets which results in avoiding the risk of fines imposed and the consultation process will be part of the evidence base to address the requirement of Welsh Government.

·         Questions were raised that there is a need for people to be afforded additional information as to the materials that can be recycled rather than put in the black bin.  The Portfolio Member for Highways, Waste and Climate Change responded that work will be undertaken with the Communications Team of the Authority to promote and educate residents to the recycling requirements through social media.  The Head of Highways, Waste and Property said that there are currently staff who visit communities and schools in promoting recycling and Welsh Government has afforded a grant to support such a provision.  Reference was made that residents should be made aware as to the type of materials that need to be recycled and to highlight that clean recyclable waste attracts a higher price.

·         Questions were raised whether there is a potential for staff redundancies if the Authority resolves to introduce a 4 weekly black bin collection.   The Head of Highways, Waste and Property said that it is not anticipated that there will be staff redundancies as they will be collecting and processing additional recycling materials.

·         Questions were raised whether the Authority can target the areas that are below the current 65% recycling figures.  The Portfolio Member for Highways, Waste and Climate Change responded that there are some areas with high volume of flats and terrace houses in Holyhead which is more difficult for people to able to recycle and store the recycling boxes.

·         Questions were raised as to whether consideration has been given if a change in government occurs at the Welsh Government following the Senedd’s Election in May 2026 which could potentially cease the requirement for 70% recycling rates.  The Portfolio Member for Highways, Waste and Property responded that the currently priority of Welsh Government is to increase recycling rates which needs to be addressed.  The Chief Executive that it is a statutory requirement by Welsh Government to increase the 70% recycling rates, and the Authority is committed to reach the target as is highlighted within the Council Plan for 2023-2028.

·         Reference was made that the Authority had previously had a higher rate of recycling rates than the required 70% rate.  Questions were raised as to the reasons that the recycling rates have fallen over the years.  The Head of Highways, Waste and Property responded that the reduction in recycling rates occurred during the lockdown period during the pandemic.  With the trends changing with people buying more goods online, there has been an increase in cardboard waste.  He further said that some tourists also have not been used to recycling as is the requirement in Wales.   Further questions were raised that increasing the rate higher than 5% could be an option to be considered.  The Portfolio Member for Highways, Waste and Climate Change said that it is appreciated that there will be difference of opinion as regards to the proposed changes in collecting recyclable waste and black bin refuse, but the proposal is to afford extra boxes to recycle and more communication and educating the requirement for recycling.  The Chief Executive said that the purpose of the report is to ascertain whether the consultation process is adequate to gauge the opinions of the residents of Anglesey on the need to increase the recycling rates on Anglesey and potentially having a 4 weekly black bin collection.   He noted that considerable work has already been undertaken with WRAP Cymru and Welsh Government which has resulted in the need to the improve the recycling rates and to avoid potential fines.  He further said that there needs to be a targeted approach in some areas, with some residents not participating in the need to recycle. 

·         Questions were raised as to the 52% recyclable materials that have been found in the black refuse bin.   The Portfolio Member for Highways, Waste and Climate Change responded that it is mainly food waste that has been found in the black refuse bin that could be recycled. 

·         Reference was made to the timing of the public consultation starting on 7 January, 2026 and lasting for 6 weeks.  Questions were raised whether it would be advantageous to conduct the public consultation process when the Council Tax Bills are sent out to residents of the Island.  It was considered that this will give more publicity to people who may not have access to social media platforms. It was further said that the means of consultation should target the elderly who may not have access to the social media platforms with visiting activities held within local communities. The Portfolio Member for Highways, Waste and Property responded that he was uncertain whether delaying the consultation process would result in more people responding to the consultation, but he would discuss the matter with the Officers in due course.  He noted that the reason for starting the consultation at the beginning of the year was to avoid the pre-election period of the Senedd Elections in May, 2026 and to be able to evaluate the responses.  The Head of Highways, Waste and Property said that links are afforded on the Authority’s social media to highlights where the recycling materials are processed.  He further said that delaying the consultation could have a negative effect as the Authority need to show the commitment in respect of improving recycling rates to avoid potential fines by Welsh Government.

·         Questions were raised whether there have been alternatives solutions considered if there is a negative response by the residents of the Island during the consultation process.   The Portfolio Member for Highways, Waste and Property responded that it is imperative that residents of the Island respond to the consultation process as it affects all residents with regards to collecting waste and recycling.

·         Reference was made to the amount of packaging of goods by supermarkets and companies who deliver goods such as Amazon and there is a need to targets these companies rather than only the residents.  The Portfolio Member for Highways, Waste and Climate Change agreed that companies and supermarkets should be targeted by the governments to reduce packaging.  Further questions were raised whether there is a decrease in workplace recycling with more people working from home.   The Chief Executive responded that workplace and domestic recycling are managed separately and there is a duty to maximise both to reach the recycling targets.  He said that a new recycling system has been introduced within the Council Offices to improve the workplace recycling.  

It was RESOLVED to recommend to the Executive :-

·         That the consultation process on potential changes to the recycling and waste collection service be approved to help reach the 70% statutory recycling targets.

·         To accept the questions to be asked as part of the consultation process

·         To accept the timetable for the public consultation, starting on 7 January, 2026 and lasting for 6 weeks, but with the expectation that consideration is given to the Committee’s concern.