Agenda and minutes

There were no Declarations of Interest made by Members at this point in the meeting.

The minutes of the previous meeting of the Environment Scrutiny Panel held on 9 October 2023 were submitted and approved as a correct record, subject to references to weight tonnages being amended and the word ‘ceased’ amended to ‘seized’ (page 6).

In response to a query raised at the previous meeting by a Panel Member in relation to clarification over the use of opaque plastic bags for recycling collection from homes without wheeled bins, it was confirmed that only clear bags should be used so that operatives could fully view the contents of the bag to check for contamination.

The Director of Environment and Community Services will be in attendance to provide further information in relation to the Panel’s current scrutiny investigation, including detailed and comparative data in relation to recycling.

Recommendation: That the Panel receives and notes the information provided and considers the next steps for its review.

Officers from Environment and Community Services were in attendance at the meeting, as follows: G Field, Director of Environment and Community Services; A Mace, Head of Environment; C Coverdale, Environment Services Manager; and G Fisher, Waste Disposal Manager, to provide further evidence in relation to the Panel’s current scrutiny topic of Waste Management. 

Information had been circulated to the Panel prior to the meeting in relation to amounts of recycling and green waste collected in Middlesbrough; types of recyclable materials collected; comparative information for previous years and in relation to other North East Councils; and disposal costs.

A Panel Member requested whether it would be possible to provide this information in relation to local authorities within the Cipfa family.

The data showed that most local authorities had struggled with post-Covid recycling rates.  Middlesbrough’s recycling rates were around the regional average, however, all North East local authorities were not meeting current government targets and a significant level of work had been undertaken regionally to try to increase recycling rates.

Household waste sent for reuse, recycling or composting (from waste data flow), showed that Middlesbrough had sent an average of 18,657.98 tonnes between 2018 and 2023.  This equated to 29.3%.  The regional average for the same period was 24,268.18 tonnes, equating to 32.3%.

It was highlighted that it was much cheaper to send waste for reuse, recycling or composting than to the incinerator and that this cost was set to increase further.

It was queried whether there was any reason why the recycling figures for Middlesbrough had declined from 19,169.47 tonnes in 2021/22 to 14,989.51 tonnes in 2022/23.  The Panel was advised that a new recycling contractor had taken over and that issues had now been resolved.  Redcar and Cleveland Council used the same contractor as Middlesbrough and, similarly, Redcar’s recycling figures had reduced from 22,076.91 tonnes in 2021/22 to 16,265.53 in 2022/23.

It could be seen from the figures for the first quarter of 2023/24 that Middlesbrough’s recycling rate was 5,572.15 tonnes and Redcar’s figure was 5,646.91 tonnes for the same period.  This equated to 31.5% and 35.5% respectively.

In a national context, recycling targets set by Government were to achieve 50% by 2020 and 65% by 2035.  In 2020, the national ‘waste from households’ recycling rate was 44% meaning that the 50% target was missed nationally.  The national 44% recycling rate had also reduced from the previous year (2019) when it was 45.5%.

In terms of residual household waste (the waste not sent for recycling), Middlesbrough’s average for the period 2018-2023 was 63,771.58 tonnes.  This was below the regional average of 75,820.50 tonnes.

Data specific to Middlesbrough’s kerbside recycling tonnages was provided by breakdown of materials, from 2018-19 to 2022-23.  The materials collected in the scheme were: glass, paper, mixed paper and card, mixed plastic bottles, steel cans and aluminium cans.  A category of ‘non-target recyclate’ was also included and it was explained that these were materials not included in the recycling contract, in other words not on the specified  ...  view the full minutes text for item 23/18

The Panel is asked to consider and agree the Terms of Reference for its review of Waste Management.

Draft Terms of Reference for the Panel’s review topic of ‘Waste Management’ had been circulated with the agenda.

AGREED that the proposed Terms of Reference for the review of Waste Management be approved as follows:-

1.      To examine the current position regarding waste and recycling collection and disposal in Middlesbrough, including performance data and targets and how these compare locally and nationally.

2.      To explore how Middlesbrough can increase its recycling rates, and reduce residual waste, to achieve national targets whilst minimising costs.

3.      To gain an understanding of the legal and policy framework in which the Council must operate, in terms of all types of waste collections and associated enforcement activity.

4.      To examine the current position in Middlesbrough regarding the collection and disposal of bulky waste (junk jobs) and fly-tipped waste, including performance data and targets and how these compare locally and nationally, and, if appropriate, how this can be improved.

5.      To consider how Middlesbrough can prepare for, and comply with, compulsory food waste collections once introduced.

To identify best practice and ideas from other local authorities that have good recycling rates.

The Vice Chair will provide a verbal update in relation to the work of the Crustacean Deaths Collaborative Working Group.

The Vice Chair provided the Panel with a verbal update in relation to the ongoing work of the Crustacean Deaths Collaborative Working Group, of which he was a member.

A recent presentation made by PD Ports, the Statutory Harbour Authority, had examined the issue of to what extent dredging was a factor in causing the mass morbidity of sea creatures.  It was explained that two types of dredging took place – capital and maintenance.  Capital dredging was when large amounts of earth were dug up, for example when extending the port, and maintenance dredging was an ongoing requirement in order to keep channels free.

Capital dredging had only commenced in September 2022 and the morbidity issues had started in April 2022, therefore, occurring prior to the commencement of capital dredging.

Other factors in the morbidity issues included pathogens that affected sea creatures and it had been highlighted in a report by Professor Cauldwell that even small amounts of Pyridine could be harmful to sealife.  Pyridine was used in various manufacturing and chemical industries all of which were linked to the area. 

The next meeting of the Working Group was scheduled for 7 December 2023.

NOTED

The Chair will provide a verbal update in relation to the business conducted at the Overview and Scrutiny Board meeting on 18 October 2023.

The Vice Chair provided a verbal update in relation to the business conducted at the Overview and Scrutiny Board meeting held on 18 October 2023, namely: -

·        Executive Member Update – Executive Member for Children’s Services, Councillor Uddin.

·        Middlesbrough Ward Boundary Review – The Democratic Services and Registration Manager presented the final draft of the Council’s submission to the Local Government Boundary Commission.

·        Updated Work Programme for the Overview and Scrutiny Board – now to include the topic of Electoral Registration.

·        Executive Forward Work Programme.

·        Scrutiny Panels’ Chairs’ Updates.

Next meeting of Overview and Scrutiny Board – Wednesday, 15^th November at 4.30pm.

The next meeting of the Environment Scrutiny Panel was scheduled to take place on Monday, 11 December at 10.00am.