Issue - meetings

To receive an update on progress since the last meeting of the Joint Waste Disposal Board.

The Board received a report providing an update on progress made since its last meeting on 12 July 2012.  The report included an update on Environment Agency guidance relating to street sweepings and gully emptying, the Contractor’s rebrand, the Mini-MRF and retail outlet and access to the Household Waste Recycling Centres. 

The Board noted the Environment Agency’s responses to queries about the guidance on the recovery of street sweepings and gully emptyings published in May.  It was also noted that the outcomes of an Environment Agency review of whether or not dedicated leaf litter collections could be composted would be available in October.

The Environment Agency had written to local authorities seeking volunteers who were willing to participate in the leaf litter recycling trials.  It was acknowledged that Wokingham and Bracknell Forest both had a number of areas with restricted vehicular access where significant volumes of leaf litter were collected and that some benefit could be gained from participating.  It was stressed that the conditions of any proposed trial were to be clarified and appropriate areas identified in all boroughs before a commitment to joining the trials was made.

Clarification had been sought over the potential implications of the contractor rebranding for the re3 project.  No response had been received to date but officers would continue to monitor the situation.

The Board considered a request from the Contractor to change the hours in which residents who had larger vehicles, and who were unable to fit under the height barriers, would be able to receive facilitated access to the Household Waste Recycling Centres at Longshot Lane and Smallmead.  It was noted that the weighbridge was shut at 4pm and that drivers of ‘overheight’ vehicles would still be unable to access the facilities outside the hours operating currently.

RESOLVED that:

1. Progress made since the Joint waste Disposal Board meeting on 12 July 2012 be noted
2. A further report on the impact of the Environment Agency guidance on street sweepings be brought to a future Joint Waste Disposal Board meeting
3. the Hours of access to ‘overheight’ vehicles remain as they are currently
4. Officers approach the Environment Agency about involvement with the Street Sweeping and Gully Emptyings trials