Agenda item

Report by the Assistant Director of Environment and Public Protection.

The Chairman of the Communities, Highways and Environment Committee will be invited to speak for up to three minutes to provide the views of the Committee on the strategic options for processing of separate food waste and other waste disposals services.

Each of the main Minority Group Leaders will be invited to speak for up to three minutes on the strategic options for processing of separate food waste and other waste disposals services.

The Cabinet will then discuss the report and proposals prior to taking any decision.

Following consideration of the report, the Cabinet resolved to approve:

1.       The variation of the Materials Resource Management Contract and associated capital investment to allow for:

a.    processing of source-segregated food waste

b.    production of loose Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF)

c.    improvements for the capture, storage, and disposal of metal for recycling to achieve the income from metals

d.    removal of redundant equipment

e.    bulking of dry mixed recycling (DMR) for delivery to the materials recycling facility (MRF)

2.           The commencement of a procurement for the disposal of refuse derived fuel until 2035 with a possible extension until 2040.

Delegation of authority to commence (1) and (2) above to the Assistant Director of Environment and Public Protection at a time to be agreed in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change and the Directors of Finance and Legal Services. In the event that either or both (1) and (2) are not exercised prior to 31^st March 2024, to bring a further report to Cabinet no later than 30th June 2024.  

21 February 2024

Materials Resource Management Contract

Since Cabinet made the above decision, there has been no change in the essential elements of the plan nor in the reasons for doing so and the Assistant Director (Environment and Public Protection) has now varied the Materials Resource Management Contract.

48.1            Cabinet considered a report by the Assistant Director of Environment and Public Protection. The report was introduced by Cllr Urquhart who outlined the requirement for the separate collection of food waste. A detailed review had shown that the council’s existing mechanical biological treatment (MBT) facility could be adapted to process food waste separately and create refuse derived fuel. This kept jobs in West Sussex, disposes locally as opposed to exporting and was the best solution financially. It would also increase recycling rates, reduce landfill and operating costs and provide better use of the anaerobic waste digester.

48.2            Cllr Britton, Chairman of the Communities, Highways and Environment Scrutiny Committee advised the Committee supported the proposals and the modifications at Warnham. The need for effective communication with residents to enable their understanding of the requirement and benefits of separate food waste collection ahead of its introduction was highlighted.

48.3            Cllr Lord, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group supported the decision which decreases carbon and provides a West Sussex solution for West Sussex waste. Cllr Lord endorsed the Scrutiny Committee’s recommendation to keep pressure on the Government to confirm arrangements for the new duties in order to support and encourage the District and Borough Councils in committing to the new statutory requirements once the timetable and funding arrangements are clear.

48.4            Cllr Johnson, Leader of the Green and Independent Alliance Group was pleased to support the proposals and supported the efforts to reduce waste but said there is still some way to go and that more could be done to lead on informing communities on the impact of food waste.

48.5            Cllr A Jupp felt this was a good move forward and that everyone could contribute through composting and changing shopping habits.

48.6            The Leader advised the recycling rate for West Sussex is 53%, a good achievement when considering Government targets (55% by 2025). He felt this raises awareness and provides an opportunity to work with district and borough councils on this new scheme. He advised government funding would be available but it is not determined yet when this would be announced. If the opportunity arises to implement the scheme earlier then retrospective funding allocations would be sought to rollout the scheme in partnership with district and borough councils. Cllr Urquhart advised a successful trial had taken place in Arun. A further trial in Mid Sussex is about to commence, and the Cabinet Member had chased the Government for a response to recent letters seeking clarity around an implementation date and new burdens funding.

48.7            Resolved – that the Cabinet:

1.      Approves the variation of the Materials Resource Management Contract and associated capital investment to allow for:

a.   processing of source-segregated food waste

b.   production of loose Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF)

c.    improvements for the capture, storage, and disposal of metal for recycling to achieve the income from metals

d.   removal of redundant equipment

e.   bulking of dry mixed recycling (DMR) for delivery to the materials recycling facility (MRF)

2.          Approves the commencement of a procurement for the disposal of refuse derived fuel until 2035 with a possible extension until 2040,

delegation of authority to commence (1) and (2) above to the Assistant Director of Environment and Public Protection at a time to be agreed in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change and the Directors of Finance and Law and Assurance.

In the event that either or both (1) and (2) are not exercised prior to 31^st March 2024, to bring a further report to Cabinet no later than 30th June 2024.