Decision details

The Service Director, Democratic Services & Communication provided Cabinet with the interim report of the Scrutiny Working Group established to deal with ‘Recycling in Communal Areas’.  Members were advised of the background to the scrutiny review regarding low recycling figures and lack of ownership in respect of communal waste recycling, the inability to identify offenders of contamination and the potential for fly tipping.

Members were aware of the work undertaken so far through the utilisation of two sub groups of the working group, one looking at Social Landlords and one looking at enforcement.

At this juncture in the meeting the Chairman welcomed the Vice Chair of the Committee, Councillor T Williams to address the Cabinet.

The Group Director,, Prosperity, Development & Frontline Services also spoke positively on the work undertaken by the working group and suggested that a trail be undertaken in Rhydyfelin as the area lent itself to the objectives of the trial as it housed all types of house in one area.  The Group Director also referenced the trial undertaken in Ynysybwl with a letter scheme and the positive effects witnessed which he hoped would be reflected in Rhydyfelin with the scrutiny proposals.

The Deputy Leader thanked the working group and the Group Director for their work and welcomed the trail in the Rhydyfelin area and the potential improvements to recycling.

The Cabinet Member for Environment, Leisure & Heritage Services. thanked the Scrutiny working group for their work to date and spoke of the positive meetings that scrutiny were conducting with Social Landlords.  The Cabinet Member welcomed the scrutiny recommendations and the recent improvements witnessed in Ynysybwl and fully supported the trial and the scrutiny work going forward.

Following discussions it was RESOLVED:

1.    To acknowledge the Interim report of the Scrutiny Working Group;

2.    To the Interim recommendations put forward by the Scrutiny Working

            Group, as set out below:

a)    That a community recycling engagement event, as set out in paragraph

4.6 of the report, is held at one of the following areas, which have been identified as areas of poor recycling and high levels of black bag waste, in partnership with the Social Housing Landlords and the Council’s Streetcare Services team:

•           Rhydyfelin

b)    To consider progressing an appropriate pilot scheme in one of the above areas, such as the coloured refuse bags scheme/ or the ‘Red/Amber/Green’ letter scheme, as referred to in paragraph 4.6 of the report. 

c)    To direct the Council’s legal department to undertake meetings with the

 Housing Associations in respect of data sharing and/or Service Level 

            Agreements, as set out in paragraph 4.7 of the report; and, 

d)    That Waste Services are consulted on major planning applications, as appropriate and as referenced in paragraph 6.2 of the report.