Agenda and minutes

To be notified of the appointment of any Substitute Members.

There were no substitute members reported.

You are invited to declare any registerable and/or non-registerable interests in matters appearing on the agenda, and the nature of that interest.

You are also invited to disclose any dispensation in relation to any registerable and/or non-registerable interests that have been granted to you in respect of any matters appearing on the agenda.

Please complete the Declarations of Interests card available at the meeting and return it to the Democratic Services Officer before leaving the meeting.

There were no declaration of interest or dispensations reported.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 12 November 2019.

Resolved that the minutes of the previous meeting held on 12 November 2019 be confirmed and signed by the Chair.

To receive a report and presentation on the Authority’s 10 year plan for waste which sets out actions that the Authority will need to take in order to address the future challenges anticipated as a result of the expected changes to the strategic landscape.

Consideration was given to a report which presented the Authority’s 10 Year Plan for Waste which had been considered and approved by Cabinet in November 2019.  The report also set out the legislative and technological background to the plan.

It was explained that in October 2013 the Cabinet had adopted a Waste Strategy 2013-2030 which had the aim of reducing waste and making use of what was left as a resource.  Following the adoption of the strategy the average waste generated per household in the borough had reduced and more of the residual waste had been diverted away from landfill. Over 90% of the waste from the borough was either recycled or converted into energy.

In December 2018 the government had published a new strategy for waste which had the intention of introducing legislation to create a circular economy of minimising waste and using it as a resource.

As a result, the Authority had developed a plan to guide its approach to waste for the remaining 10 years of the Waste Strategy.  The plan covered the strategic landscape for waste covering the international, national and local drivers which were shaping the waste industry and set out the actions that the Authority needed to take to address the future challenges that are anticipated. 

It was explained that the type of materials disposed of changes over time, for example, plastics had started to enter the waste stream in the 1960’s and 1970’s. Reference was made to the proposals to deal with food waste, possible by a separate weekly collection from each household.  It was explained that this would be an issue for the authority as there were strong opposing opinions of how it should be carried out.  Reference was also made to the proposals nationally to introduce a deposit return scheme for plastic bottles which would have implications for the authority in relation to the quantity and quality of waste collected. 

Reference was made to the waste contract and the impact that the current uncertainty in relation to waste and recycling would have on the marketplace. 

It was explained that the Authority was increasing the type of materials it could collect and recycle including, for example, margarine tubs and yoghurt pots. 

Clarification was sought in relation to the proposals for harmonisation of the colours of waste and recycling bins across the country.  It was explained that the government had provided assurances that funding for any changes necessary would be available and further discussions were ongoing.  Reference was also made to whether it would be possible to introduce a scheme which would allow residents to reuse goods which had been delivered to the household waste centre, similar to the pop-up shop at South Tyneside.  It was explained that the limitations of the household waste site currently prevented such a scheme being operated in North Tyneside.     

The Chair thanked the officer for his report and presentation.

It was agreed that the presentation be noted.