Agenda and minutes

An apology for absence was received from Councillor Mrs C L A Hockley.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Streetscene Scrutiny Panel held on 05 July 2023.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Streetscene Scrutiny Panel held on 05 July 2023 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

The Chairman announced that a response has been received from DEFRA to the long-awaited May 2021 consistency consultation, which forms part of the Environment Act 2021. The announcement was as follows:

Summary

All local authorities in England must collect the same recyclable waste streams for recycling or composting from households.  The recyclable waste streams include paper and card, plastic, glass, metal, food waste and garden waste.

All non-household municipal premises in England (such as businesses, schools and hospitals) must make arrangements to have the same set of recyclable waste streams (with the exception of garden waste) collected for recycling or composting and must present their waste in accordance with the arrangements.

Key Implications for Waste Collection Authorities

The materials to be collected in dry recyclable waste streams are glass, metal (tins, cans, aerosols, foil, foil trays), plastic (bottles, pots, tubs and trays), paper/card and cartons for food and drinks by 31 March 2026.

Collection of recyclable plastic film is required by 31 March 2027

An exemption to the Environment Act 2021 is being proposed to allow all dry recyclables (paper, plastic, glass, metal) to be collected in one recycling bin (co-mingled) pending consultation and regulation confirmation.

Waste collection authorities in England must introduce weekly food waste collections for all households, including flats, by 31 March 2026.

Non-household municipal premises must also separately collect food waste, but they are not required to have weekly collections by 31 March 2025.

The government will provide reasonable new burdens funding to local authorities for household food waste collections.  This funding will cover capital, transitional, and initial operational costs.

Waste collection authorities must collect garden waste by 31 March 2026, but they can charge for this service.

The Statutory Guidance on the amended regulations is currently out for consultation with a deadline of 20 November 2023.

To receive any declarations of interest from members in accordance with Standing Orders and the Council’s Code of Conduct and disclosures of advice or directions received from Group Leaders or Political Groups, in accordance with the Council’s Constitution.

There were no declarations of interest made at this meeting.

To receive any deputations of which notice has been received.

There were no deputations made at this meeting.

To consider any item of business dealt with by the Executive since the last meeting of the Panel, that falls under the remit of the Streetscene Portfolio. This will include any decisions taken by individual members during the same time period.

There were no items of Executive Business for consideration at this meeting.

To receive a report by the Head of Streetscene which presents the draft Sustainable Pesticide Use policy for consideration and comment.

Councillor Mrs L E Clubley left the meeting during this item.

The Panel received a report by the Head of Streetscene which presented the draft Streetscene Sustainable Pesticide Use Policy for consideration.

During the debate on this item it was accepted by the Panel that reducing the use of glyphosate in controlling weeds is a significant challenge facing not just Fareham but other Councils as well.

The Panel was supportive of the policy but suggested that it should include targets and benchmarks so that progress and success can be measured. It was suggested that trials could be held in some areas to assess what is achievable through the proposals outlined in the policy and that this could then be used to inform the inclusion of benchmarks and targets and to help formulate a media campaign to raise awareness.

The Panel discussed the need for, and the different ways to, communicate information about dates and times when spraying will take place across the Borough so that residents can chose to avoid a particular area. It was noted however that this is sometimes operationally challenging as timetables can be affected by adverse weather conditions and resource shortages. It can also result in negative responses on social media.

In discussing the significant resources required to deliver grounds maintenance services without the use of pesticides it was suggested that local volunteer groups could be encouraged to work with the Council to help deliver this non-statutory service. Members enquired whether help and support can be made available to volunteer groups and were assured that guidance and information can be provided.

It was noted that improving, alternative options to glyphosate are likely to come onto the market over time and agreed that the Council needs to ensure that there is a continued awareness of new, sustainable treatments that become available.

RESOLVED that the Streetscene Scrutiny Panel makes the comments outlined above in respect of the draft Streetscene Sustainable Use of Pesticides Policy in preparation for the adoption of the policy as a working document for the Streetscene Public Spaces Team.

To provide an opportunity for Members to consider the scrutiny priorities for the Streetscene Panel.

Members discussed the Scrutiny Priorities for the Streetscene Panel.

It was requested and agreed that an update on Allotment Associations be added to the Scrutiny Priorities Plan.

RESOLVED that the Streetscene Scrutiny Panel considered the Scrutiny Priorities.