Agenda item

A report by the Director of Environment and Public Protection.

The Committee is invited to consider:

1.   How the pilot scheme worked, and any learning arising from the pilot;

2.   The extent to which the evidence supports making the arrangements permanent, and the proposed widening of scope; and

3.   How well learning will be addressed in the proposed future arrangements.

14.1     The Committee considered a report and presentation on managing demand at recycling centres (copies appended to the signed minutes).

14.2     Summary of responses to members comments and questions: -

·         Although some household recycling centres took trade waste for a fee, most was dealt with at private sites

·         Material that was subject to fly-tipping was not the sort of material that household recycling centres dealt with

·         There was anecdotal evidence that some Bognor Regis residents resented the booking trial and the limit on visits allowed although feedback showed 60% were in favour of the system

·         The system of five visits a month was working well, but the Council would wait for the outcome of consultation before reviewing this

·         If the system became permanent, consideration would be given to providing an app for bookings

·         There was confidence that the system would be cost neutral

·         A concern was raised regarding the state of the WSCC-owned access road to The Woodhorn Group’s green waste recycling centre in Tangmere. It is perceived as a potential deterrent for private contractors with small vehicles and a contributing factor to subsequent green waste fly-tipping in the local area

·         Changes to paperwork by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs could explain the increase in fly-tipping of green waste

·         Sites could be added to the system if there were major issues at them such as congestion

·         If same day bookings were introduced, the cost would be absorbed by existing arrangements

·         As some sites did not accept trailers, some people would have to go to sites that did

·         Capacity at sites in Horsham and Littlehampton could be improved in the future

14.3     Resolved – that the Committee: -

     i.        Looks forward to the possibility of making the pilot booking system permanent at the Bognor Regis, Crawley, Horsham, Littlehampton, Shoreham and Worthing recycling centres and extending the booking system to include the Burgess Hill recycling centre, going to public consultation and receiving the feedback so the County Council can make a more informed decision on making this initiative permanent or not.

    ii.        Welcomes the fact that same day booking and the introduction of an app to make it easier for people to book is being explored

   iii.        Asks the Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change to note concerns around fly-tipping and the site at Bognor Regis