Issue - meetings

The Cabinet Member for Climate Action and Environment introduced the report.

The report referred to Cambridgeshire County Council, as the Minerals and Waste Authority, had approved publication of a consultation on the Draft RECAP Interim Resources and Waste Strategy 2026–2031 on behalf of the RECAP Waste Partnership (RRWS). The consultation would close on 26 January.

Greater Cambridge Shared Waste Service was seeking the Cabinets approval for the draft document and agreement to delegate sign‑off of the final post‑consultation version to the Cabinet Member for Climate Action and Environment.

In response to questions and statements from those present, the Cabinet Member for Climate Action and Environment said the following:

      i.         The strategy had been extensively discussed across all councils within the Combined authority area, representing a wide range of political groups. A significant amount of work had gone into agreeing wording that all partners could support.

    ii.         The strategy focused on improving waste and recycling facilities across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, strengthening communications, and reducing emissions from waste collection and disposal.

   iii.         Did not anticipate major changes arising from the consultation. However, if any significant amendments were proposed, this would be brought back to Cabinet.

  iv.         There were two elements to the proximity principle referenced in both the strategy and the report. Some councils had struggled to find local solutions specifically in relation to transfer stations (sites where collected waste is unloaded and then transported for further processing or disposal).

    v.         Previously, the Council did not require a transfer station for blue‑bin recycling but did now. In contrast, councils located further away, such as in Fenland, required transfer stations to transport material to Waterbeach. Each authority therefore had different operational needs.

  vi.         The second aspect concerned a Materials Recovery Facility (MRF). Ideally, a modern and environmentally efficient facility would be in Cambridge and used by all partners at an affordable cost. The report highlighted that, with stronger cross‑council cooperation, the RECAP partnership could potentially deliver such a major project in future if councils agreed.

 vii.         Supported in principle exploring a Cambridge‑based MRF in the longer term, but it would require substantial upfront investment, higher risk, and technical expertise that councils currently lacked. These issues would need collective consideration. This underlined the value of a shared waste and recycling strategy, providing a coordinated basis for future planning and investment.

viii.         The strategy set out a high‑level approach to improving recycling facilities and strengthening joint working across Cambridge and Peterborough, while also aiming to reduce overall waste. Ideally, recycling should form a greater proportion of waste, but the strategy also emphasised avoiding unnecessary waste generation altogether.

  ix.         The Supplementary Planning Document (next item on the agenda) focused on practical measures such as improving bin stores, ensuring adequate access for collection vehicles, and other requirements for new developments. These improvements will be particularly significant for residents of new apartment blocks. Officers worked closely with developers to achieve good outcomes for both residents and collection crews, ensuring bin stores were accessible and waste and recycling can be collected efficiently.

Cabinet unanimously resolved to:

1.         Approve the Draft RECAP Resources and Waste Strategy 2026-2031 (RRWS).

2.         Grant delegation of approval to Cabinet Member for the final post consultation version of RECAP Resources and Waste Strategy 2026-2031 (RRWS) in February 2026.