Decision details

Matter for Decision:

Cambridge City Council operates 24 public bring banks sites, where residents can take their dry recyclables to a local facility in, for example, a neighbourhood car park and segregate various materials for recycling. This joint procurement is aimed at providing a range of options for partners including the emptying of banks or bins at these sites, the maintenance of banks and the sale of recyclables.

Decision of Executive Councillor for Environmental and Waste Services:

Agreed:

1. To authorise the inclusion of Cambridge City Council in a joint procurement with RECAP partner authorities for one or more of the following options:

·        the emptying of bring banks

·        the provision, maintenance and replacement of bring banks

·        the collection of recyclables from the bays at our Mill Road Depot and the sale of recyclables to reprocessors

These services would be provided as ‘lots’ for each individual material including commingled dry recyclables.

2. To decide in consultation with the Director of Environment and Planning which of the ‘lots’ the Council will contract for as a result of the tender process.

Reason for the Decision:

It is intended that the procurement for the bring bank services be as flexible as possible.  The various aspects of the services will be divided into ‘lots’ and each ‘lot’ will cover a variety of service options. For instance a ‘lot’ will include an element for collection, maintenance and provision of bins.  This will enable all partners to opt-in to any number of separate ‘lots’ for the services as and when they require.

Any alternative options considered and rejected:

As detailed in the report.

Scrutiny Considerations:

The Head of Environmental Services introduced the report. Discussion followed on what items might be recyclable in the future. The officer stated that prices for the materials collected had risen lately. And there is a benefit to be gained from joint procurement and harmonising collection methods over a larger area. South Cambs are currently tendering for mixed plastics that the City does not currently collect. City residents are very good at recycling and contamination rates are very low.  Members discussed more options for flat dwellers and potential to have green waste bins in communal collection points. This was agreed to be problematic and not viable at present.

Cllr Pitt thanked the officer for their work in this area and was encouraged by the progress. However, he reminded members that the ultimate goal remains less waste rather than more recycling.

The Scrutiny Committee considered and endorsed the recommendations by a vote of 9 to 0 (unanimous).

The Executive Councillor for Environmental and Waste Services approved the recommendations.

Conflicts of interest declared by the Executive Councillor (and any dispensations granted)

N/A