Decision details

RESOLVED that

       i.          the introduction of food waste and the move to three weekly refuse collections for households is postponed until the 1st March 2021

as a result of the Coronavirus.

      ii.          communications related to the changes will be paused and restarted in October 2020 with a refreshed and revised communications plan.

     iii.          the introduction of food waste collections to flats and Houses of Multiple Occupation with communal bins is postponed until the Autumn of 2021 following work being completed by Overview & Scrutiny after roll out of the household service.

Following approval by The Executive on 28 January 2020 work began on

communicating with residents on the changes however as a result of the Coronavirus

since early March online and social media communication has stalled. This means

our residents are not as informed about the changes as planned at this time.

One of the crucial elements of the summer communication focussed on face to face

advice and support. Coronavirus restrictions have meant face to face interactions

with residents have not been possible.

The five vehicles to be used for collecting food waste have been ordered, but

production has been paused so at the time of writing there is no confirmed delivery

date.

A service change of this scale requires a significant amount of preparation, a critical

element is the new collection rounds for the service and the subsequent adjustments

for the refuse collections. This process is running behind schedule as a result of the

additional service pressures within Suez due to efforts of keeping existing collection

services going during the pandemic.

The recommended 1 March 2021 start date avoids being too close to Christmas and

New Year. Caddy deliveries and final roll out communications will take place in

January and February.

Continue with the original October 2020 date; this carries a significant risk as

vehicles may not arrive in time, new vehicle rounds may not be completed, and

residents would not be as informed about the changes as planned.

Delay until October 2021, a full year delay is an option, however this would see an

even larger reduction in the estimated savings and BFC would be lagging behind re3

partners.

None