Agenda item

Consideration was given to a report by Matthew Michell, Lincolnshire County Council, which presented the feedback received during the consultation carried out for the Joint Municipal Waste Management Strategy (JMWMS).

The Partnership was advised that 150 responses had been received in total, including formal responses from each partner authority.  It was noted that the response from East Lindsey had been circulated separately.

It was noted that every detail from each had not been included, but themes had been summarised.  Members were advised that if there anything that had not been reflected in the revision of the Strategy, it could still be incorporated.  It was noted that the full text of each response could be circulated to members, but members were asked to keep the information contained within the responses internal due to data protection considerations.

It was reported that 89% of the responses either agreed or strongly agreed with the vision set out in the Strategy, and 75% agreed or strongly agreed that the objectives could achieve the vision.  It was noted that whilst there were a lot of supportive comments, there were some comments which indicated a need for the objectives to be more strongly worded.

Some of the main comments referred to the strategy being good as it was but that it did not have enough specific actions.  However, Partners were advised that an action plan would be produced and was being worked on by the Officer Working Group.

Other things which were highlighted for consideration included carbon management, review of Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC) services as well as a need for a strong communications message.  It was noted that these would be included as part of the action plan.

It was highlighted that the consultation responses indicated a divided opinion on food waste collection with an almost 50/50 split on whether it was thought a separate food waste collection would be a good idea.  It was suggested whether if residents were aware food waste would be collected on a weekly basis, if this would alleviate some of the issues highlighted such as risk of infection or smells.

Members were advised that the Strategy should be ready to go to the individual partners for approval in the autumn.

The Chairman expressed his thanks to the members of the public who had taken the time to respond, as well as all districts for providing a response as an authority, as well as all comments received from members.  It was commented that the engagement and feedback received had been excellent and would be incorporated into the final version of the Strategy.

It was commented that it was pleasing to see that the Partnership had moved on from working with the 'blank sheet of paper', and it was always useful to have a wide range of views, especially as the input had been that the vision was mainly going in the right direction.  Now there was a need to focus on the issues which had been raised. 

The Chairman commented that he was surprised by some of the negative comments in relation to food waste collection, but it showed there was a requirement to carry on with education around this area.

RESOLVED

1.    That the Lincolnshire Waste Partnership note the Joint Municipal Waste Management Strategy consultation feedback included as Appendix B to the report.

2.    That the Lincolnshire Waste Partnership approve that the draft Joint Municipal Waste Management Strategy be updated in line with the recommendations in the report.

3.    That each partner authority provide, through the Officer Working Group, ongoing support and feedback to the Joint Municipal Waste Management Strategy revision and Action Plan development.