Meeting documents

Cabinet are asked to AGREE to keep Burnham HRC open and continue to operate it 5 days a week, with closing days being Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Mr Tett invited Mr M Dickman, Environment Services Director and Mr Chapple, Cabinet Member for Planning and Environment to introduce the item. 

Mr Chapple reminded members that on 7 January 2019 the report had been brought to cabinet and examined in great detail.  Four decisions were taken:

1)    To implement charges for non- domestic waste

2)    To close Bledlow recycling centre

3)    To close Chesham, Burnham and Rabans Lane on Wednesdays and Thursdays

4)    A minded to decision to close Burnham recycling centre. 

The fourth decision would be reviewed at the meeting, and it was highlighted that the report set out the detail of the site.  Communication was crucial to ensure that any plans and decision were made clear. 

Following the increase of waste disposed in March due to the pre-empting of the charges there had been a decrease in the following months. However the amounts were starting to pick back up.  It was highlighted that although at the end of the current year there would be a deficit, the following years would break even including Burnham.  Mr Chapple stated that the Burnham site should be kept open as it served residents in the area well. 

Mr Chapple highlighted that in terms of charges, there was only one item that was charged at £20 which was a boiler.  65 items in total came with charges to dispose of.  40 of the items came with charges of £2.50, 13 items were between £5 and £9 and only 5 items cost more than £10.   There had been a significant amount of reports on flytipping, but in the previous year the statistics had decreased due to the combined efforts with S.C.R.A.P.

The Cabinet raised and discussed the following points:

Mr Tett highlighted that waste disposal was one of the most important customer facing services run by the Council  and emphasised the excellent staff.   Mr Tett was aware that the charges were not popular, but that the decision was dictated by the financial situation.  Mr Tett remarked that it was not surprising that the volume had dropped in May 2019, but the system was now well embedded.   Mr Tett expressed that he was very pleased that Burnham Recycling Centre could be saved and paid credit to Lin Hazell for her leading role in lobbying.   Statistics proved that the level of flytipping had not increased.   It was highlighted that one flytipping offender a week was prosecuted and that there was zero tolerance in Buckinghamshire. 

Mr Shaw gave congratulations to Mr Chapple and the team.  It was highlighted that it was worthwhile for residents to participate in consultations as their opinions were taken into account. 

Mr Whyte reiterated the importance of residents taking part in consultations and also congratulated the team for flytipping prosecutions and welcomed the increase in skip hire. 

Mr Williams highlighted that 2/3 of fly tipping offences were commercial and it was positive that the prosecution level was high.

Lin Hazell gave thanks to Mr Chapple and officers and reiterated the importance of Burnham Recycling Centre to South Buckinghamshire.

Mr Chapple highlighted that communications were meaningful and that residents were listened to.  An extra officer had been recruited to combat flytipping.  Thanks were given to the staff at the sites that had dealt with the changes effectively and professionally. 

Cabinet were asked to:

1)    AGREE to keep Burnham HRC open and continue to operate it 5 days a week, with closing days being Wednesdays and Thursdays.

RESOLVED: Cabinet Members AGREED the above recommendation.