Issue - meetings

The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, Enterprise, Community and Resources, on proposed changes to the policy and operating practices at Halton’s Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs).

The Board was advised that a review of HWRCs in Halton had been undertaken. Table 1 in the report set out details of the increase in annual operating costs since 2014/15. It was reported that the purpose of the review was to identify options to reduce the overall costs associated with each Centre whilst maintaining a high level of customer service. Research was undertaken into the operation of HWRCs across a number of other local authority areas, both regionally and nationally, and four key options for change had been identified for Members’ consideration. The four were as follows and were detailed in the report, together with the rationale behind each:

·       To reduce the current opening hours at the Centres;

·       To amend aspects of the current Vehicle Permit Scheme;

·       To introduce a new ‘Halton Resident Only’ Policy; and

·       To introduce a new Policy of charging for the deposit of ‘non household’ waste items at the HWRCs.

It was noted that the Environment and Urban Renewal Policy and Performance Board (PPB) had considered a report on the proposals, recommending that Executive Board approve the introduction of a number of changes to the current Policy and operating practices at the Centres.

The Board wished to place on record their thanks to Members of the PPB for their work and contribution to the Policy. In addition, they also wished to record their thanks to the Waste Operatives who provided a consistent service across the Borough during the 2017/18 winter months.

RESOLVED: That

1)    Members approve

(i)        that the current opening times for Halton’s HWRCs be amended and new opening times of 9.00am to 5.00pm be introduced to operate all year round;

(ii)       that the current HWRC Vehicle Permit Scheme be amended and the number of Temporary Permits that each household is eligible to receive be reduced from 12 per year to 6 per year;

(iii)     a new ‘Resident Only Policy' which limits access to the Council’s HWRCs to Halton residents only and prohibits access to non-residents of the Borough;

(iv)     a new Policy of charging for the deposit of ‘non-household waste’ items at Halton’s HWRCs; and,

2)    the Strategic Director - Enterprise, Community and Resources, be authorised, in consultation with the Executive Board Member for Environmental Services, to take all such actions and to make any decisions necessary to develop and implement the proposals set out in Recommendation (ii), including the implementation date for each individual proposal and the setting of the level of charge for depositing Hardcore within the range of £2.50 to £3.00 per standard sized ‘rubble sack’.