Agenda item

To consider a report on progress in the delivery of the re3 Joint Waste PFI Contract and the re3 Strategy.

The Board received a report briefing them on progress in the delivery of the re3 Joint Waste PFI Contract.

Since non re3 residents had been denied access to re3 sites the overall tonnage in July and August  had been reduced by 30% and 24% at Smallmead in comparison with the same months last year. At Longshot Lane, Bracknell, overall tonnage in July reduced by 15% but increased by 8% in August, compared to the same months last year however the latter figure had been affected by the clearing of all waste ion site in advance of August Bank Holiday. The feedback from residents using the both sites had been largely positive with many commenting that the sites were now easier to use.

The second phase of changes were due to come into operation on the 30^th September. Residents who wish to deliver their waste in commercial or commercial type vehicles would need to apply for a permit on the day before visiting the site and changes were also being introduced to cover the cost of certain types of waste.

Members had previously expressed a keen interest in the development of a smartcard to access the sites. It had however come apparent that the timescales for the adoption of corporate e-government systems were longer than originally believed and would require even more integration between re3 services and corporate systems.

It was reported that Wokingham Borough Councils Executive had just approved a business Plan for a 21st Century Council which was all about self service.

The Members discussed the consideration of charging for West Berkshire residents following the changes that had been implements at the re3 Recycling Centres. Members were reminded that legal advice had previously been sought and a profit couldn’t not be made, any charge could only cover the cost of the service being provided. The Board had also been provided with a list of comparable policies that were already in place at other regional recycling centres.

As requested at the previous Board meeting, the Board received an update on the current conditions in the refuse derived fuel (RDF) Market and the arrangements that were being made with FCC. It was reported that officers were working with the contractor and DEFRA to reach a conclusion and a full report would follow at the next board meeting.

It was brought to the Boards attention that their had been an issue in the Bracknell Forest Customer Services where an out of date email address had been sent to a resident which had since been brought to the attention to the Bracknell Forest Members. Since the incident had occurred a response had been drafted to send to the resident and the correct address had been confirmed with Bracknell Forest Customer Services. re3 Officers had briefed Bracknell Forest Customer Services and extended the offer out to Wokingham Borough Council and Reading Council to do the same.

RESOLVED that:

1. That following consideration of the relevant factors, including those identified by officers at Appendix 2, the Joint Waste Disposal Board decided not to allow use of the re3 Recycling Centres by West Berkshire residents for a charge.

2. That following the decision at 2.1, the decision be formally communicated by letter to West Berkshire Council by the re3 Joint Waste Disposal Board.

3. That Members resolve to support, where possible and through the provision of services within the remit of the re3 Joint Waste Disposal Board and re3 Waste PFI Contract, the future development of e-government as and when it is introduced by the re3 Councils.

4. That Members note the remaining contents of this progress report.