Issue - meetings

Report of Cabinet Member for Waste, Recycling and Public Realm, Councillor Izaac Tailford

RESOLVED THAT:

1.    Cabinet agrees that from Friday 10 January 2025 the Swindon Road recycling centre will undergo a prolonged closure in order for a full options appraisal to be undertaken on the future of the Swindon Road Depot and the Household Recycling Centre. The options appraisal will include an assessment of the site and the potential for finding a cost-effective solution to meet with new and future environmental legislation and regulations, engagement with GCC, engagement and consultation and appropriate involvement of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee. 

2. Cabinet agrees that the Council will cease to provide a direct commercial waste service to businesses in Cheltenham from a date to be determined by the Chief Executive.
3. authority is delegated to the Chief Executive to implement recommendation 1 and 2, including the necessary contract variation with Ubico and to make suitable alternative arrangements for existing customers of the Council’s commercial waste service.    

4.    Cabinet agrees that the delivery charges for receptacles agreed by Cabinet on 23 July 2024 (recommendation 1) are amended as follows with effect from 1 January 2025 to assist residents using the kerbside service for any items which can no longer be taken to the Household Recycling Centre:  £4.99 for up to 3 items (with a reduced delivery charge of £2.99 for up to 3 items for residents in receipt of benefits as listed in reported dated 23 July 2024) and £9.98 for up to 6 items (with a reduced delivery charge of £5.98 for up to 6 items for residents in receipt of benefits as listed in the report dated 23 July 2024).

The Cabinet Member for Waste, Recycling and Public Realm gave a long and detailed introduction to this item, highlighting the main issues as set out in his report.  He began by explaining the reasons for the proposed temporary closure of the Household Recycling Centre (HRC), specifically the new Environment Agency requirements and the high cost of the necessary improvements, with no guarantee of a permit at the end. He was aware that the proposal is controversial, and that the HRC is a valued site, but pointed out that waste disposal is in fact a county council function - CBC is not required to provide the service, and kerbside collection of recyclables and garden waste has grown exponentially since the HRC was opened 40 years ago. As a result, the HRC has become more of a tip than a recycling centre which was never the intention, and over the last two years, daily visits have dropped from 1000 to 400-500; these can be absorbed by Wingmoor Farm which also accepts a wider range of types of rubbish.

The estimated costs of the work, in addition to the regular running costs, represent a very large percentage of CBC’s 11% council tax share but a very small percentage of the county’s 74% share.  CBC has subsidised the provision of waste disposal for 40 years, and it does not make financial sense for both county and borough to provide the same service.  He hopes that that county will be willing to work with CBC to find a solution which works for the people of Cheltenham; some conversations have already taken place, and a face-to-face meeting will be held soon. 

The recommendation is to close Swindon Road HRC for a prolonged period while different options are being considered.  These include:

-       the county council taking on the Swindon Road site;

-       the expansion Wingmoor Farm – which has recently been upgraded and much improved with an efficient booking system in place;

-       the opening of a brand new site.

If none of these are taken forward, other options will have to be considered, and residents will be able to share their thoughts through the budget consultation process.  Charging for visits to the site is not workable – the cost to residents would be too high -  and with the current site no longer fit for purpose, both councils will have to consider medium-term plans and decide whether it is worth spending £1m on the existing site for a short-term solution.

It is hoped that the additional drive to Wingmoor Farm won’t result in an increase in criminal fly-tipping, which is a challenge for all councils; this will be monitored closely.  Savings from the Swindon Road site will be re-invested in other services - weeding, leaf clearance, bring banks, and fly-tipping clearance. 

If approved, the Overview and Scrutiny Committee will be invited to look at the issue, and there will be public consultation, including a resident survey in 2025, and regular updates throughout – the council  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9