South Holland District Council’s cabinet hears how a new refuse collection service could be imposed upon them

Councillors have agreed to introduce wheelie bins after being ‘lumbered’ with the choice by Government - which could have imposed a new collection service on the area.

South Holland District Council’s cabinet have now agreed to ditch the area’s traditional collection of green and black bin bags in a landmark decision on Thursday night. Only one member of the cabinet - Coun Gary Taylor - abstained in the vote.

The full service changes are likely to take around 18 months to come into force but will see residents getting three 240 litre bins for residual waste, recycling and paper and card - although bags will be provided for some properties. A mandatory food waste caddy is due to be introduced next year.

Members of the full council will decide on July 16 on whether to draw £3.150million from the the authority’s capital programme to fund the bins and new vehicles.

Environmental services portfolio holder, Coun Jim Astill, thanked cabinet members for backing the reforms - which he has previously said had been driven by the Environment Act.

Coun Astill said: “I am pleased that the council have supported the recommendation. It will lead to a more effective and efficient service for the residents of South Holland.”

The Crowland councillor kicked off the debate by stating that this was likely to be one of ‘most significant changes’ in the council’s 51-year history.

He outlined the legislations along with the options which had been considered and assured residents that their feedback had been taken into consideration.

Coun Astill also stated that few vehicles would be needed, the quality and quantity of recycling would be improved as well as the health and safety of refuse collectors. He also highlighted that accident and sickness rates where higher at South Holland than other councils.

He told the meeting that the changes would bring about an average saving of £514,000 ‘compared to projected average cost of the current service of £5.217million.”

Coun Astill also stated that local authorities with an efficient and effective service would receive Extended Producer Responsibility payments. Big businesses such as Amazon are required to pay for the management of the packaging waste.

But he warned that these payments could be reduced if recycling rates fall below a certain level.

Later in the debate Coun Astill said: “If we do nothing, there is a risk that someone from Government will come along with a clipboard and say ‘your service is not effective or efficient’ and is going to dictate what the collection regime is. By making changes we are in control.”

Leader of South Holland Independents, Coun Paul Barnes posed a number of questions at Coun Astill including asking why the decision was not being taken by the full council. Council leader, Nick Worth, explained that this was down to the constitution.

Coun Barnes went onto ask a number of technical questions such as if the wheelie bins would be limiting recycling along with highlighting the issues faced by residents with long drives, the timescale and also the size of bins for elderly people.

He said: “Personally I am in favour of bins and used bins before effectively.

“I am very concerned that we are considering bins and bags. Staff are still going to be lifting bags for a number of properties - should we even be considering bags at all?”

The mechanics of how the new system is going to work is going to be hashed out later when the policy goes before the council’s scrutiny committee.

But there were promises of staff assisting people who qualify for help in moving bins and a requirement that staff will lay down bins on windy days.

Deputy leader Coun Paul Redgate said: “If we don’t make changes to our service there will be repercussions to this authority for not doing so.”

Coun Tracey Carter said it was a ‘head and heart issue’ but accepted that there is no other way forward for the authority financially.

She also said that she felt confident that Coun Astill and the team had explored every avenue but asked for assurance that they will listen to the views of ward members when they speak up for specific properties to remain with bags.

Spalding Castle member Coun Taylor abstained in the vote stating that he felt that wheelie bins would not improve the street scene.

Coun Andrew Woolf, who is chairman of the policy development panel, said the council is being ‘lumbered’ with the changes by the Government.

He said: “This is being forced on us by the government and is not something we particularly want to discuss.

“If we don’t do it we are going to suffer penalties.

“It is a huge ask to our residents to change, not just a block of houses but every single household in the district is going to have to change.”

He gave assurances that the policy will be scrutinised ‘in the best interests of residents and this authority’ but also raised concerns about the sloped driveways for residents in Barrier Bank and Peakhill.

Coun Liz Sneath said she had received a number of questions from residents on this but highlighted that the scheme is going to be expensive and suggested keeping bags for two to three more years.

At the end of the debate Coun Worth, who seconded the motion, thanked everyone for their questions which he said amplified the concerns of residents.