Issue - meetings

Report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Community Direction).

Council was updated on actions following the decision of the previous meeting to consult on the options for the future provision of green waste collection. It was reported that an increase in planning income had meant that the financial gap as a result of the County Council’s withdrawal of recycling credits could be met from balances.

Some members ask if the planning income may be required to support enforcement and appeals, and in response it was noted that this was continually under review. It was moved by Councillor Bray, seconded by Councillor Bill and unanimously

RESOLVED –

(i)            The removal of the need for consultation on charging for green waste due to having identified additional income be agreed;

(ii)           A transfer of £350,000 from General Fund balances to the Waste Management Reserve in 2014/15 be approved;

(iii)          A transfer of £350,000 from the Waste Management Reserve in 2015/16 to fund the forecast budget pressure arising from the withdrawal of green waste recycling credits be approved;

(iv)          It be noted that the transfer can only occur because of one-off savings arising in year as a result of large planning applications and savings in the production of the Area Action Plan and a longer term solution must be sought to fund this budget gap from 2016/17.

At the meeting of Council on 4 November, the recommendations in the attached report were supported, along with an additional recommendation that the matter be referred to the Scrutiny Commission prior to consultation and prior to any final recommendations to Council following the consultation process.

Members received a report on the introduction of charges for green waste collection that had been referred by Council for consideration and agreement of the consultation questions. It was reported that the proposed closing date for the consultation would be 31 December and that there would be an article in the Borough Bulletin. In addition, it would be advertised via the website and social media. It was reported that the anticipated take-up for the service was around 50% and that concessions would be available.

Some members expressed concern about the costs of changing the service so people had to ‘opt in’ and pay the £30 charge, as there would be costs associated with administration, billing and collecting unused bins. It was also suggested that the cost of providing the service would not reduce proportionately to the reduction in the number of customers, as the collection lorries would still need to follow the same routes as customers would be spread across the Borough.

As an alternative to the suggested £30 charge per year for collection of green waste, a member asked about the additional charge that would need to be placed on Council Tax to enable continuation of the provision of green waste collection for every household. In response it was reported that there would need to be a 10% increase on the Borough precept, which would mean an additional £10.08 per year for the average band D property. This would enable the universal recycling service to be maintained, without the need for a separate charge. Members were reminded, however, that in order to increase the Council Tax by 10%, a referendum would be required at three different levels of costs ranging from £45,000 to £110,000, depending on the timing of the referendum. Should the referendum be successful, there would then be costs for re-billing which would cost around £66,000. It was also reiterated that the authority would not then be eligible for any freeze grant that the Government may offer.

The risk of needing the go through the same process in future, should the County Council withdraw the dry recycling credits, was highlighted by some members. Others felt that the increase in the Council Tax base at this stage would avoid the need to do so by an amount exceeding 2.0% again in the near future.

Concern was expressed by some members that, if a third option of increasing Council Tax by 10% was added to the consultation options, residents who would have opted for the £30 charge would opt for the Council Tax increase, or no increase at all, as it would seem a preferable increase, and as such it would not give a clear steer. Other members felt that the option should be given. It was moved by Councillor Lay and seconded by Councillor Bessant that a third option be included in the consultation: for a 10% increase in Council Tax. Upon being put to the vote, the motion was LOST. It was therefore

RESOLVED – the consultation  ...  view the full minutes text for item 267

An additional recommendation will be proposed as follows:

2.2       that the Scrutiny Commission be asked to consider the detailed questions at its next meeting on 13 November, along with any longer-term implications, and review the response prior to any final recommendations to Council.

Council was advised of the reduction in funding from Leicestershire County Council in relation to recycling credits for green waste collections from 2015/16. Councillor Bray, seconded by Councillor Taylor, moved an additional recommendation that the Scrutiny Commission be asked to consider the detailed questions at its next meeting, which was accepted without debate. It was agreed that the following points would be incorporated into the discussion at the Scrutiny Commission meeting:

·         Whether the Borough Council could take on the responsibility of the Waste Disposal Authority

·         Provision within the consultation to gauge the views of the elderly

·         The possibility of discounts for those in receipt of benefits

·         The options with regard to additional bins.

It was moved by Councillor Crooks, seconded by Councillor Bray and

RESOLVED –

(i)            Council agrees to a consultation on the introduction of charges for green waste collections from 2015/16;

(ii)           The Scrutiny Commission be asked to consider the detailed questions at its next meeting on 13 November, along with any longer-term implications, and review the response prior to any final recommendations to Council.