Agenda item

Note: This decision cannot be called in.

RESOLVED: That Cabinet

1. Noted the Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee’s findings following the call-in hearing of 14 December 2021;
2. Thanked the Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee for the work they had undertaken in considering the issue;
3. Taking into account the Council’s current financial position, confirmed the decision previously taken:
   1. that a charge is made for kerbside garden waste collection for all residents of West Northamptonshire who opt into this service of £42 per bin per year, from 1 April 2022
   2. that the customer service and administration of the garden waste collection service be operated in-house for all residents of West Northamptonshire, ending the arrangements with West Northamptonshire Norse, in the Daventry area.
   3. that the establishment of a subsidised home composting scheme, be launched at the same time as the charge 2022/23, to offer residents an alternative.
4. Confirmed that the free collection of real Christmas trees will continue across West Northamptonshire;
5. Confirmed that Household Waste Recycling Centre opening times be unchanged;
6. Confirmed the intention to introduce a scheme for payment by instalments and a discount scheme to support those on low incomes in the future.
7. That the changes are agreed without the need to wait for the outcome of the DEFRA consultation.

REASONS:

In accordance with the Overview and Scrutiny procedure rules, Cabinet was required to reconsider the matter, taking into account any concerns and recommendations of Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee and make a final decision, amending the decision or not and providing reasons for the decision.

• The introduction of a charge for the collection of garden waste would bring the south of West Northamptonshire into harmony with the rest of the Council area. The scheme would be run council-wide with the level of charge, terms and conditions and service standards the same across west Northamptonshire.
• Cabinet determined that, given the costs associated with collecting and processing garden waste, not implementing the original decision would present a financial risk to the Council, both now and in the future.
• Cabinet noted the consultation undertaken by DEFRA in relation to this subject, but determined that there were no clear timescales for an announcement on the outcome of the consultation and it would not, therefore, be prudent to await an announcement, given the need to harmonise the policy across West Northamptonshire. Cabinet also noted the LGA’s position on the matter.
• Charging for the collection of garden waste would ensure that only those who wish to use the service pay for it and in that way, supports the ‘Polluter Pays’ principle. Therefore, those who home compost, or who don’t have gardens or who take their garden waste to the Household Waste Recycling Centre would not pay for the collection service.
• The Council would be permitted to levy a ‘reasonable’ charge for the garden waste service (under the Controlled Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2012). The proposed charge would generate income essential to part fund the waste collection services provided to the residents of West Northamptonshire. This includes approximately £800,000 in additional net income to the council in 2022/23 for the south area, where the charge would be newly introduced. It would also maintain the approximate £2.2 million of annual income from the areas of the council where there was an existing charge.
• The £42 charge recommended for 2022/23 would be the same as was charged in the Daventry and Northampton areas in 2021/22 and so would represent no increase for those residents and is identified as average across the region.
• The proposal to bring the customer service and administration of the garden waste collection service in house would enable the Council to have a direct interface with residents who wish to opt-in to this service, ensuring they receive the best possible customer service.
• The subsidised home composting scheme would provide an alternative option for residents who do not want to pay the collection fee. It also promotes home composting, which in waste management terms is a preferred option.

ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS:

1. In reviewing the council’s garden waste service, several alternative options were considered for harmonising it across the whole of West Northamptonshire. The appendix to the original report set out the considered options, along with the positive and negative considerations of each option and the financial impact of each.
2. Officers had considered whether it would be appropriate and possible to offer discounts, for example in the following circumstances:

The council would seek to establish a single auto payment system across West Northants which might enable future opportunities for any discounts to be administered as well as providing evidence of where any discounts were needed or justified based on usage.

3. Therefore, it was agreed to introduce the scheme using existing payment systems in April 2022.

At the Chair’s invitation Councillor Phil Larratt presented the report, copies of which had been previously circulated. Cabinet was advised that the decision had been called in on the 11^th November 2021 and had been considered by the Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee on the 4^th December 2021. A comprehensive presentation was made to the Overview and Scrutiny committee, this had been included within this report as the appendix. The option for residents to pay through direct debit instalments had been discussed, the technology was not in place at the moment, but should be by the end of the year.

Councillors made the following comments.

• The call-in debate had been thoughtful and challenging.
• It was felt that there was no good reason given as to why the cost of the green waste collection could not come out of the Council Tax.
• It was noted that the revenue raised from charging residents for the service would be £3 million across West Northamptonshire.
• It was felt that weekly waste collection should be a core service.
• This had been a cross-party concern.
• The cost of living had increased, this charge would greatly impact lower income houses.
• It was felt that a reduction in the fee should be considered.
• Could the income generated be used for climate and carbon reduction?
• Fly-tipping had become more of a problem, how much money had the council paid so far to deal with this?
• It was queried whether closing the household waste centres for two days had increased the amount of fly-tipping and whether asking resident to pay for the waste collection service would have the same effect.

The Chair invited Councillor Dermot Bambridge to make any comments as the Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, the following comments were made.

• It had been acknowledged that there was a need for harmonisation and the basic principle of charging was accepted.
• It was noted that the financial aspects had been considered.
• It was advised that there had been no clarity as to what the cost of the service would be if it were cost neutral.
• Assurances had been given that charities and places of worship would still receive a free service, the Vice-Chair of the O&S committee had since been informed that this would no longer be the case.
• The committee was reminded that even if a resident has a garden, they might not be able to afford the cost of the service, this is especially pertinent when discussing the elderly, the infirm and those from low-income houses.

Councillor Phil Larratt made the following comments.

• He thanked the Overview and Scrutiny committee for their considerations.
• The council does not currently have the technology that would enable paying by instalments, but it was hoped that it would be in place by the end of the year.
• The household waste recycling centres were open 5 days a week. Both centres in Northampton do not close on the same days, with both open at the weekend.
• Cabinet was reminded that garden waste collection was not a statutory service.
• Northampton and Daventry residents had already been paying for the service.
• It was advised that a new street sweeping vehicle had also been purchased for the south Northants area.
• It was advised that the £42 charge would also help restore many services.
• Subsidised composting bins were also an option should residents request it.

Councillor Malcolm Longley advised that WNC was still a new council with various pressures finance-wise from all departments.

Councillor Adam Brown advised that the council still needed to be cautious with regards to revenue, and that it could not forgo revenue for populism.

Note – This decision could not be called in.

RESOLVED: That Cabinet

1. Noted the Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee’s findings following the call-in hearing of 14 December 2021.
2. Thanked the Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee for the work they had undertaken in considering the issue.
3. Taking into account the Council’s current financial position, confirmed the decision previously taken:
   1. that a charge is made for kerbside garden waste collection for all residents of West Northamptonshire who opt into this service of £42 per bin per year, from 1 April 2022
   2. that the customer service and administration of the garden waste collection service be operated in-house for all residents of West Northamptonshire, ending the arrangements with West Northamptonshire Norse, in the Daventry area.
   3. that the establishment of a subsidised home composting scheme, be launched at the same time as the charge 2022/23, to offer residents an alternative.
4. Confirmed that the free collection of real Christmas trees will continue across West Northamptonshire.
5. Confirmed that Household Waste Recycling Centre opening times be unchanged.
6. Confirmed the intention to introduce a scheme for payment by instalments and a discount scheme to support those on low incomes in the future.
7. That the changes are agreed without the need to wait for the outcome of the DEFRA consultation.