Issue - meetings

Matter for Decision:  

In September 2011 the University of Cambridge submitted outline planning applications to Cambridge City and South Cambridgeshire District Councils for a mixed-use extension to the north-west of Cambridge. The waste management strategy for this site proposes the use of underground banks for the collection of waste and recycling from residential premises.

The scheme had been selected based on the desire to minimise the visual impact of waste collection infrastructure on the proposed development, and meets the requirements of the Area Action Plan to incorporate innovative waste strategies.

It was anticipated that the scheme would provide both South Cambridgeshire District Council and Cambridge City Council with an innovative yet practical waste management solution maintaining the potential for recycling and allowing scope for future change within the restrictions of an underground scheme.

Decision of Executive Councillor for Environment and Waste Services:

              i.      Agreed the principle of the use of an underground banks collection system for the Cambridge North West development for all residents across both South Cambridgeshire and Cambridge City districts.

            ii.      Agreed to delegate authority to the Head of Refuse and Environment the development of an Inter Authority Agreement between Cambridge City Council and South Cambridgeshire District Council, that the City Council will undertake waste and recycling collections across the entire Cambridge North West development including those areas within the South Cambridgeshire District Council administrative boundary for agreement by the Executive Councillors of both districts.

          iii.      Agreed to delegate authority to the Head of Refuse & Environment to comment upon the final waste strategy in conjunction with South Cambridgeshire District Council and submit them to JDCC for consideration.

         iv.      Agreed to delegate authority to the Head of Refuse and Environment to finalise, in conjunction with South Cambridgeshire District Council, the ‘above baseline’ costs of service delivery, which will be recovered from the developer through a Section 106 agreement for agreement by the Executive Councillors of both districts.

Reason for the Decision:

As set out in the Officer’s report.

Any Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:

Not applicable.

Scrutiny Considerations:

The committee received a report from the Waste Services Development Officer regarding the Waste Plans for the North West University Site.

Members raised the following points:

              i.      Members were concerned about the logistics of the new collection vehicle.

            ii.      Members asked for clarity on the economies that could be achieved by using a single waste collection services for the cross boundary site.

          iii.      The innovations presented were welcomed.

The committee resolved unanimously to endorse the recommendations.

The Executive Councillor approved the recommendations.

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

Not applicable.