Agenda and minutes

To consider the minutes of the meeting held on

Resolved that the minutes of the meeting of the Sub Committee held on 12 January 2021 be approved.

To receive any declarations of interests or dispensations

There were no Declarations of Interest or Dispensations reported.

To give consideration to a presentation on the 10 year plan for waste.

Consideration was given to a presentation which provided an update on the actions taken by the Authority in relation to its 10 Year Plan for Waste, which had been approved by Cabinet in 2013.  The presentation also provided an update on the actions being taken by the Government which could impact on the delivery of the plan.

It was explained that a new Environment Bill was currently making its way through Parliament and which was anticipated would be passed into law in the Autumn.  Once enacted the Bill would have implications for the Authority on a number of different levels including the collection of waste and recycling.  Reference was made to one element of the Bill which would introduce a requirement for the Authority to collect food waste separately from the general waste.  Officers were looking at the implications for the Authority and residents on this change and how it could be managed. Reference was also made to the proposals to introduce a deposit return scheme in relation to plastic bottles which could have implications for the Authority’s recycling service and possibly lead to a reduction in the quality of plastics collected which could have a financial impact for the Authority.  The Bill also contained provisions in relation to an increase in the plastics tax designed to encourage less use of plastics, a tax to encourage producer responsibility and the use of recyclable products.

It was explained that the Authority would need to procure a waste contract for recycling in 2023 and that the residual waste collection contract had recently been extended.  Reference was made to the industry awaiting clarity from the Government on what they would be required to do once the Environment Bill had been passed. 

Members sought clarification on where the Authority was in relation to its recycling targets.  It was explained that the pandemic had caused a bump in the road but the Authority was making steady progress.  It was suggested that details of the current levels of waste processing be provided to members.

Reference was also made to the steps being taken by the Authority to prevent food waste and it was explained that although clarity was awaited from Government on the actual requirements there was a significant amount of work being undertaken to identify how the Authority could assist residents and Authority services to minimise food waste. Reference was also made to the steps being taken to identify the best way for any food waste to be collected and whether the standardisation of bins would form part of this process.

Reference was also made to the recycling of small electric appliances and whether local collection points could be set up for residents who did not have access to a vehicle.  It was explained that this was currently being explored.  Reference was also made to recycling and the circular economy and how this could be encouraged and facilitated.  

Resolved that (1) the presentation be noted; and

(2) a further update be provided on the proposals  ...  view the full minutes text for item E3/19

To give consideration to the Sub-committee’s work programme for the 2021/22 Municipal Year

Consideration was given to the Sub-committee’s work programme for the 2021/22 municipal year.

In accordance with the usual practice members had been invited to submit suggested topics for consideration by the Sub-committee and a number of suggested topics were also outlined during the meeting.

Resolved that the following topics be included in the Sub-committee’s work programme for 2021/22:

·         Invite the Cabinet Member to advise the Sub-committee on the work being undertaken by the Authority in relation to those elements of the environment which fell within her remit;

·         Invite the Young Mayor and the Youth cabinet member to attend a meeting to advise the sub committee on the environmental issues of concern to young people;

·         An examination of the practical steps that each Directorate of the Authority has taken to address the Authority’s climate emergency declaration;

·         An examination of what steps the Authority has taken in relation to the reduction in food waste;

·         An examination of the Authority’s procurement processes to see how they contribute to the Authority’s environmental aspirations and how the service can support each department to minimise its environmental impact through its purchasing processes;

·         An examination of the steps that the Authority has taken to support businesses in relation to the aspiration for a Plastic Free North Tyneside;

·         An examination of the aspirations, processes and constraints in relation to the provision of charging points for electric vehicles in North Tyneside;

·         An update on the Biodiversity Action Plan;