Agenda and minutes

RESOLVED/-

That apologies be received and noted from Eamonn Boylan, David Taylor, Steve Wilson and Paul Morgan.

There were no chairs announcements or items of urgent business.

To receive declarations of interest in any item for discussion at the meeting. A blank form for declaring interests has been circulated with the agenda; please ensure that this is returned to the Governance & Scrutiny Officer at at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting.

RESOLVED /-

There were no declarations of interest reported by any Member in respect of any item on the agenda.

To remind Members of their obligations under the GMCA Members Code of Conduct and to complete an annual declaration of interest form and to note that the completed form be published on the GMCA website.

RESOLVED /-

That Members noted their obligations under the GMCA Members’ Code of Conduct and to complete an annual declaration of interest form and that the completed form would be published on the GMCA website be also noted.

To consider the approval of the minute of the meetings held on 13 July 2021.

RESOLVED /-

That the minutes of the meeting held on 13 July 2021 be approved.

To note the following meeting dates 2021/22:

·         26 January 2022, 10.00am, Venue TBC

·         23 March 2022, 10.00am, Venue TBC

RESOLVED /-

That the Programme of Meetings for 2021/22, be noted as follows:

·         26 January 2022, 10.00am, Venue TBC

·         23 March 2022, 10.00am, Venue TBC

Report of Justin Lomax, Head of Contract Services, GMCA Waste

and Resources Team.

Justin Lomax, Head of Contract Services, GMCA Waste and Resources Team introduced a report which provided an overview of performance of the Waste and Resources Management Services (WRMS) and the Household Waste Recycling Centre Management Services (HWRCMS) contracts that commenced on 1 June 2019.

It was reported that the data used was verified for quarter 1 (April to June) of the financial year 2021/22 (contract year 3), for the two contracts held by Suez and compared with the same period of 2020/21.

Highlights from the report included:

·         The year on year comparison of total waste arising has increased by almost 15%.

·         Recycling rates have been maintained with a slight increase to 47.83% for quarter 1 of 2021/22.

·         A total rate of c.98% of material had been diverted away from landfill disposal, a slight increase on the previous year.

·         Combined recycling rates at the HWRCs has risen to 51%, a 10% increase on 2020/21.

·         Rejection levels at the Materials Recovery Facility from kerbside recycling has reduced to c.14.5%.

·         The tonnage of collected loads rejected at the reception points has reduced by c.77%, over 2.4kt lower than the previous year.

·         Since the last committee report, there has been 1 further RIDDOR incident, in quarter 1 of contract year 3. The last incident, during routine checks at Bolton TRF, involved an operative’s finger was struck by a hammer. The incident was investigated, and Safe Working Practices reviewed with alternative methods and guidance on taking care when using hand tools on-site issued.

·         The overall data shows that Household Waste Recycling Centre visitor numbers have stayed below levels seen pre-covid with c.1.6m visits in quarter 1 of 2021/22.

·         The web-based van permit system has been tested and is ready to go live, beginning with a soft launch in early November with the hard launch the following month.

·         Construction activity at Reliance Street Mechanical Treatment and Reception facility (MTR plant) is complete and receiving waste, warm commissioning of plant and machinery was completed in July and August and the plant passed its main tests proving reliability, throughput, and availability, with average hourly throughputs above 50 tonnes per hour, and availability and reliability recording at 100% under test conditions.

·         Modernisation of Longley Lane Plant begins this month, these works will not impact any WCA deliveries to the facility whilst the construction is underway.

Members queried whether any steps are being taken to increase the types of plastics that can be recycled. Officers clarified that due to the types of machines used GM cannot, at this time, offer any other plastics for recycling, other options are being considered, for example, second pass recycling.

RESOLVED /-

1.    That the report be noted.

2.    That an update on the Longley Lane project be brought to future meetings.

Report of Michelle Whitfield, Head of Communications and Behavioural Change, GMCA Waste and Resources Team.

Michelle Whitfield, Head of Communications and Behavioural Change, GMCA Waste and Resources Team introduced a report updating Members on the Recycle for Greater Manchester Communications & Behavioural Change Delivery Plan for 2021/22 and the joint SUEZ/Recycle for Greater Manchester (R4GM) Communications and Engagement Plan.

Highlights from the report included:

·         The R4GM home composting campaign, offering 10% discounted composting products from Get Composting.

·         The partnership with Sow the City which offers composting advice to residents.

·         Promotion of the Renew shops across web and social media channels.

·         The refit of the Longley Lane Education Centre was completed in September, delivery of educational sessions at the Material Reduction Facility (MRF) are now taking place in person.

·         Communications advising of the introduction of the van and trailer permit scheme to residents.

·         Key priorities of the Communications Plan for 2022/23.

Officers confirmed communications had begun with RHS Bridgewater with a view to establishing a partnership for them to become a compost outlet.

Members asked if any checks take place to confirm whether schools recycle. Officers confirmed that education within schools focuses on home recycling, but will discuss schools recycling with education officers and districts.

Officers confirmed that discussions are taking place around the use of the fly tipping budget being used for communications. Members suggested that communications should include some focus on commercial disposal operators and private rental accommodation owner and tenants, and that everyone should be made aware of local authority bulky waste collections and facilities available at household waste recycling centres. Officers confirmed that discussions are taking place around best practice in tackling fly tipping, and will take back the suggestion on the use of cameras across the conurbation to target fly tippers.

Officers invited councillors to visit the Renew Hub at Trafford Park.

RESOLVED /-

1.    To note the progress against the Communications and Behavioural Change Plan.

1.    To note the progress on the joint SUEZ and R4GM Communications and Engagement Plan.

Report of Steve Wilson, GMCA Treasurer.

Lindsey Keech, Head of Finance, GMCA Waste and Resources Team presented a report updating Members on the timeline for setting the budget and levy for 2022/23.

A forecasted break even position for 2021/22 was reported as detailed in section 3 of the report. Since publication of the report it has been recognised that an increase to the figures, set in February 2021 outlined in section 2, detailing the budget and levy for 2022/23 is required, this is due to increased tonnage estimates and the increase in inflation rates to 3.2%, which is above the already included 2%.

It was confirmed that the increase in figures from 2022/23 to 2024/25 is for machinery lifecycle replacement costs and is a forecast over the 7 year contract.

RESOLVED /-

1.    That the report be noted.

2.    That figures detailing the potential budget savings for districts if recycling were to be increased be circulated.

That, under section 100 (A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 the press and public should be excluded from the meeting for the following items on business on the grounds that this involved the likely disclosure of exempt information, as set out in the relevant paragraphs of Part 1, Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 and that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighed the public interest in disclosing the information.

RESOLVED /-

That, under section 100 (A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 the press and public should be excluded from the meeting for the following items on business on the grounds that this involved the likely disclosure of exempt information, as set out in the relevant paragraphs of Part 1, Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 and that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighed the public interest in disclosing the information.

Report of Justin Lomax, Head of Contract Services and Paul Morgan, Head of

Commercial Services GMCA Waste and Resources Team.

RESOLVED /-

1.    To note the contract updates and key risks as set out in the report.