Agenda and minutes

None.

None.

Purpose.

The purpose of this report is to seek approval from the Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change to make two changes to policies used at the Household Waste and Recycling Centre (HWRCs) at Port Solent. These are to:

a)    Increase the price of a bag of soil and rubble (incl. stonework, clay, bricks, concrete blocks, paving slabs, tiles, ceramic bathroom units) and individual ceramic items, such as a toilet pan, by 50p to reflect the increased cost of disposing of this material and to keep charging in line with the rest of the HWRCs operated by Hampshire County Council (HCC) and Southampton City Council (SCC).

b)    Increase the price point at which individual items require labelling from £5 to £10 to reflect the change in the value of goods that has occurred over time. (This will not change the value of the item only the requirement for it to be labelled.)

RECOMMENDATIONS

That the Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change approves an increase in the charge to users for a bag of soil and rubble or other individual ceramic items disposed of at a Household Waste Recycling Centre by 50p to £3.00 to reflect the increase in costs associated with management and disposal of this material and to ensure that charging is kept in line with HCC and SCC HWRC sites which are all managed under the same contract. (For current charges see appendix 1)

That the Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change approves a change to the price point at which an item available to be sold for reuse at a Household Waste Recycling Centre should be individually labelled from £5 to £10 to reflect the general increase in the value of goods.

The Director for Housing, Neighbourhood and Building Services is given the delegated authority, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change to agree future changes to the charges for non-household wastes at the Household Waste Recycling Centres to ensure that the City Council can respond rapidly - in partnership with Hampshire County and Southampton City Council to market changes and in keeping with contract timescales and to avoid additional cost burdens associated with any delays.

Colette Hill, Assistant Director Neighbourhoods, presented the report of the Director of Housing, Neighbourhood and Building Services. She explained the background to the proposed changes, in line with actions being taken by Hampshire County Council and Southampton City Council.  The government is giving consideration to HWRC charges nationally, so there may be future changes.

Councillor Dave Ashmore, as Cabinet Member, acknowledged that these were charges necessary for the recouping of costs and to ensure that these were in line with neighbouring authorities.   The individual price of items for resale were not affected by the new labelling requirements.

Councillor Robert New, Spokesperson, was supportive of these price increases so that Portsmouth was not seen as a cheaper option for disposal of goods.  His concern was regarding Recommendation 3 which gave officer delegated authority, as he would favour an item coming back to a public meeting. 

The Assistant Director Neighbourhoods responded that this had been included as the contract had a 5 day notice period, and at both Southampton CC and Hampshire CC these decisions had been taken under officer delegated powers.   Any further changes under these powers could be publicised to members via the Members' Information Service.

Councillor Ashmore agreed the recommendations, as presented.

DECISIONS:

(1)  the Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change approved an increase in the charge to users for a bag of soil and rubble or other individual ceramic items disposed of at a Household Waste Recycling Centre by 50p to £3.00 to reflect the increase in costs associated with management and disposal of this material and to ensure that charging is kept in line with HCC and SCC HWRC sites which are all managed under the same contract. (For current charges see appendix 1 of the report.)

(2)  the Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change approved a change to the price point at which an item available to be sold for reuse at a Household Waste Recycling Centre should be individually labelled from £5 to £10 to reflect the general increase in the value of goods.

(3)  The Director for Housing, Neighbourhood and Building Services is given the delegated authority, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change to agree future changes to the charges for non-household wastes at the Household Waste Recycling Centres to ensure that the City Council can respond rapidly - in partnership with Hampshire County and Southampton City Council to market changes and in keeping with contract timescales and to avoid additional cost burdens associated with any delays.