Future of waste collection to be given further consideration

January 27, 2022

Further work on the future of the waste collection contract will be undertaken at the cross-party environment, culture, tourism and planning working party. Although the matter was to be debated at Full Council last night, it was withdrawn by the administration.

A report on the matter was discussed by both cabinet and place scrutiny committee on Monday. The current waste collection contract is in place until October 2023, meaning that the current arrangements for waste collection will be in place until at least then.

At Full Council last night, the matter was withdrawn so that the issue can be considered further by the environment, culture, tourism and planning working party. An updated report will then go back through the democratic process, via cabinet and place scrutiny committee.

Cllr Carole Mulroney, cabinet member for environment, culture, tourism, and planning, says: “This is a complex and challenging issue, regarding the largest revenue contract that we have, and impacting every resident of the Borough.

“At both cabinet and scrutiny, there was a significant measure of agreement by councillors that we should go to tender for a new waste collection contract and that we wish to retain the current model of collection if that is any way practical. However, given the national, local and financial context, there was also recognition that we might need changes in the future.

“In light of this, the matter was withdrawn for further discussion at the environment, culture, tourism and planning working party with a view to realising an agreed position going forward in a timely manner, the outcome of which will be considered by cabinet and made available for scrutiny.

“We need to get this issue right, and if that means more time is taken, then that is what we feel is the right thing to do.

“I want to reiterate that any new contract would not start until October 2023 at the earliest meaning that the current arrangements for waste collection will be in place until at least then.”