Agenda item

(To receive a report from Samantha Harrison, Head of Economic Development, David Hickman, Head of Environment, and Mike Reed, Head of Waste which invites the Committee to consider the performance of the Tier 2 Service Level Performance measures for 2021/22 Quarter 1 for Economy, Flooding and Waste)

Consideration was given to a report from the Head of Economic Development, the Head of Environment and the Head of Waste updating the Committee on the Tier 2 Service Level Performance measures for 2021/22 Quarter 1 for Economy, Flooding and Waste.

The target for businesses support had been substantially exceeded, in large part, due to the Covid-19 business recovery grant which was currently delivering final payments. Some applicants were choosing not to accept the grant as a result of their material and supply costs increasing to the point that their business opportunities were no longer viable. The Council was currently behind on its target of approved funding bids due to delays in approvals from Government, for example, the Council had expected to receive a response from the Community Renewal Fund bid by the end of July 2021, but was still sat unresolved. However, the funding applications made by the Council remained in line with expected targets.

In the first quarter of the 2021/22 financial year, there were only three incidents of flooding that required a formal investigation. It was acknowledged the year had been particularly dry so far. Significant flooding issues in 2019/2020 resulted in a backlog of flooding investigations awaiting completion.

Booking systems had been introduced at Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs), resulting in less material being recycled. In addition, Covid-19 restrictions resulted in reduced separation rates. The overall recycling rate was consequently slightly lower than the expected target. While the expected target hadn't been met, it was felt that, with the current system, the target deficit could have been greater. As of 1 September 2021, the booking system had been removed; therefore, greater recycling take up was expected. Curb side recycling rates were also lower than anticipated; this was believed to be a result of reduced recycling opportunities from working from home arrangements. The projected requirements for overall tonnage per household were being met.

The Committee considered the report, and during the discussion the following comments were noted:- 

• Observing that the external funding attracted to Lincolnshire had seen a significant reduction from 2017, Members sought further clarity on the decrease. It was advised that funding was dependant on which funding programmes were in operation by Government at any time. 2017 saw a significant spike in Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and regeneration funding for example. Previous consideration was given to the production of a profile to identify the funding bids versus criteria. The levelling up white paper, expected October 2021, should enable the Council continue to produce a funding profile.
• Members asked why the Council struggled to successfully bid for funding, particularly when district Councils had recently seen some success. It was advised that the council did not struggle to bid for funding, there were examples of successful bids, but some of the regeneration funding had moved to different routes that county councils were unable to bid for.  Government had recently changed the way funding was distributed from LEPs, which the Council was previously very successful at, to scheme such as High Street Funding and Towns Funding, which were targeted at District Councils. The Community Renewal Fund was anticipated to translate to a Shared Prosperity Fund, which would be bid for by County Councils.
• The appreciation of the village of Ancaster was passed onto officers for their work in relation to recent flash flooding.
• Noting that Section 19 reporting only took into account water which had entered dwellings, not garages, sheds or out buildings, Members felt that further data collection would be useful to list near misses. It was advised that officers had recently began to collect 'near miss' data, in addition to the legally required Section 19 statistics, to inform future flood risk planning. Members and residents were encouraged to report all incidents of flooding to the Council.
• Members asked what further could be done to encourage residents to recycle. Officers were very mindful of the importance of encouraging recycling, with a number of campaigns currently in operation. A separate paper and card bin to reduce contamination had recently been rolled out and a team was currently analysing material to better establish contaminate patterns.
• Seeking further detail, Members asked if any feedback had been received regarding the removal in booking restrictions for HWRCs and if further information could be provided on the general operation of HWRCs. Little feedback had been received since booking restrictions had been removed, however it was noted, comments were previously raised on social media complaining of increased waiting times resulting from booking restrictions. Further detail surrounding 'peak times' would be needed to rely on an accurate picture to service users. Changes to operating hours had been reviewed, as a consequence, operation now extended to five days rather than seven and four days. To increase all sites to seven days wouldn't be financially viable across the board. In addition, the availability of staff wasn't currently sufficient to facilitate a seven day service.
• Members asked what 'all sources' extended to as referenced within the household waste statistics. It was advised that 'all sources' included all forms of municipal waste, particularly curb side, fly tipping and HWRC.
• The Committee were advised that a number of stories circulated the press complaining of extensive fly tipping; however the actual rates of fly tipping appear to have been exaggerated.
• Noting the facility for black bin waste to be used in energy to waste facilities, Members questioned the quantities that were disposed of in this manner. It was advised approximately 20 – 25 per cent of household waste was used to fuel energy to waste facilities.

RESOLVED

That the report and comments be noted.