Agenda and minutes

In the event the fire alarm sounds attendees will be advised to evacuate the building via the nearest fire exit and assemble at the Bottle of Notes opposite MIMA.

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting, introductions were made, and the Fire Evacuation Procedure explained.

To receive any declarations of interest.

There were no declarations of interest received at this point in the meeting.

The minutes of the Place Scrutiny Panel meeting held on 2 September 2024 were submitted and approved as a correct record.

Recommendation: That the Panel considers the content of the draft Final Report and agrees conclusions and recommendations for inclusion.

A copy of the Draft Final Report on Waste Management had been circulated with the agenda.

Members discussed the information provided and suggested conclusions and recommendations for inclusion in the Final Report.

AGREED that:

1.     The following conclusions were approved for inclusion in the report.

A.     The Panel found that, in 2022/23, Middlesbrough had one of the highest rates of local authority collected waste; household waste; and household waste per person amongst its local, regional and nearest Cipfa neighbours.  The amount of residual waste collected by Middlesbrough in 2022/23 has increased from the previous year and is above the regional and national average.

B.     The percentage of household waste sent for reuse, recycling and composting in Middlesbrough in 2022/23 has reduced from the previous year and is below the regional, nearest Cipfa neighbours and national average.  A reduction in recycling rates in Middlesbrough is also due to the amount of waste sent for reuse, recycling and composting that is contaminated.  This is significantly higher in Middlesbrough than the regional, nearest Cipfa neighbours and national average.   Locally, Middlesbrough and Stockton have the highest rates of residual waste, per person, and poorest recycling rates.  Both councils operated a weekly residual waste collection service which supports the theory that, in general, weekly residual waste collections result in poorer recycling rates, however, Middlesbrough moved to a fortnightly collection model in August 2024. 

C.    The Panel recognises the significant financial pressures under which the Council is placed and notes the cost of residual waste disposal has increased year on year.   With delays in the procurement of the new energy from waste facility, it is anticipated that gate fees are set to double by 2026, meaning that it is crucial to reduce the amount of residual waste being sent for disposal to reduce disposal costs.  The cost of disposing of recyclable materials through the various streams is significantly lower than those disposal costs for residual waste which is a factor in the necessity to drive up recycling as well as improving the Council’s contribution to reducing the impact of climate change.

D.    The Panel is supportive of the Council’s implementation of a move to fortnightly collections for residual waste in line with most other councils in England.  It is hoped this will make householders think twice about the amounts of residual waste they are generating and drive-up recycling rates.  In turn, by doing so, this will ease some of the financial pressures on the service by reducing residual waste disposal costs.

E.     The Panel acknowledges, however, that Middlesbrough has a high proportion of terraced properties and accepts that it can be more difficult for those households to recycle with limited outdoor space/storage for various waste streams.  Additionally, these properties lack gardens and outdoor green space so produce none or very little green waste which contributes to recycling rates.  New and future housing developments tended to have gardens and green spaces so it is possible that, over time, there will be a gradual increase in green waste  ...  view the full minutes text for item 24/23

Monday 7 October 2024 at 4.30pm

Monday 7 October 2024 at 4.30pm

Any other urgent items which in the opinion of the Chair, may be considered.

None