Councillor David Dean outlines his reasons for the call in and highlighted the following points:

·         Lack of pre decision scrutiny;

·         Recommendations of the 2011 Scrutiny Task Group Review of Waste Management and the fact that only two recommendations had been implemented, despite all 22 recommendations being agreed by Cabinet;

·         That resources would be better allocated toward Adult Social Care and Merton Adult Education, rather than the wheeled bins pilot;

·         Not all residents required large wheeled bins;

·         The potentially negative impact on recycling rates and increase in residual waste;

·         Increased costs of a wheeled bin service when collecting waste;

·         Efficiency of the waste collection process with wheeled bins;

·         Issues concerning storage of wheeled bins;

·         Costs of processing significant volumes of waste; and

·         Why the pilot was necessary

Councillor Judy Saunders agreed that scrutiny had a role to play in considering the outcome of the pilot, and any recommendations that may result from the pilot, such as the introduction of wheeled bins. This issue has been on the council’s agenda for some time. One of the recommendations made by the task group was that the council review its position on wheeled bins at a later stage. It is taking this opportunity to do so now when there is ring-fenced funding from DCLG and additional funding available from an underspend in the highways budget. There is an issue with littering and this may be resolved through the wheeled bins approach. At present small recycling bins have no lids and cause an issue regarding litter and capacity. The pilot will be undertaken before any decision is to be made on wheeled bins. There are no plans to roll out wheeled bins borough wide as the council does not presently have the funds.

Councillor James Holmes asked if this was a suitable time to be undertaking this pilot given its cost and the recent cuts to adult social care and adult education budgets. Councillor Judy Saunders responded that there would always be other considerations in the budget at whatever time this pilot was rolled out. If this is taken forward, following the pilot, then it may be funded on a ward by ward basis to manage costs and operational implications.

Councillor James Holmes asked if the Cabinet Member was satisfied that this pilot was a wise course of action and use of funds, as even if the pilot is positive, the council is unable to deliver this scheme immediately. Councillor Judy Saunders explained that the department would assess the findings of the pilot and then make a decision as to how it would roll out the scheme if that was the conclusion of the analysis.

Councillor Daniel Holden asked if the DCLG grant was not solely intended for communications, and other related incentives, to increase recycling rates. Councillor Judy Saunders confirmed that communications had been undertaken and that the mega recycle campaign had not had the intended impact. Therefore other measures, which the fund is allowed to be used for are being taken forward to address the issue.  Chris Lee reinforced that the mega recycle programme had minimal success and therefore the department were trialling alternative approaches allowed by the DCLG.

Councillor Daniel Holden asked why the shortfall in the grant was being made up by an underspend in highways when this funding could be better spent elsewhere, for example, in adult social care.

Councillor Judy Saunders added that she appreciated that there were pressures on adult social care budgets, however, her portfolio is in this area and as Cabinet Member she will champion those issues and services for which she is responsible.

Councillor Daniel Holden stated that the underspend in the highways budget would be better spent on repairing roads and pot holes.

Chris Lee explained that the department do not yet know the costs of a borough wide scheme. The costs of recycling and disposal have varied over the years. Recycling now provides an income stream for the council and there are associated benefits in street cleanliness and to the health of the workforce in rolling out wheeled bins. This pilot will establish the net cost to the authority if this scheme is rolled out.

Cormac Stokes added that there had been various developments in the technology used which provide opportunities to move from a gate fee to income from the services that are being provided.

Councillor John Sargeant argued that there was a need for creativity in the budget setting process and that there have been few alterations to the budget despite concerns raised through the scrutiny process about how it had been set. He added that it would have been beneficial to involve scrutiny earlier before a decision was taken on this. The questions within the consultation also need to be seen in advance. Councillor John Sargeant asked if an adequate baseline had been established to compare against the results that the pilot will generate. He asked if the pilot was an exercise to satisfy residents that a course of action has been tested that has already been agreed will go ahead.

Chris Lee reassured members that benchmarking would be established by April. He added that the department were happy to share this information with scrutiny. Outcomes and output performance indicators had been established and both resident satisfaction and recycling rates would also be measured.

Councillor John Sargeant asked if the percentage increase in recycling could be established from the pilot. Cormac Stokes explained that the residual waste, food waste and recycling would be measured by tonnage in advance of and during the pilot. Trends would be established within this 6 month period to establish whether or not the use of wheeled bins has a positive impact on diverting recyclable waste from the residual waste bins. The analysis of the pilot can be shared with scrutiny at a later date.

Councillor John Sargeant asked if the pilot presented an opportunity to establish with residents what size wheeled bins they would want as the choice given to residents is important. Cormac Stokes confirmed that resident’s views would be sought on size etc.

Councillor Tobin Byers asked if any analysis had been undertaken on revenue costs when recycling gets damp and cannot be sold on, and what the associated cost of disposal is. Chris Lee explained that the department would look to make reasonable adjustments where possible to address this. Cormac Stokes added that the council could expect some dividend from a reduction in contaminated waste. There is no contamination expected when wheeled bins are used.

Councillor James Holmes asked if this pilot was the best use of funding rather than re-running the mega recycle campaign. Councillor John Sargeant added that perhaps other methods of educating residents on recycling were more appropriate and also a more appropriate use of funding.

Councillor Daniel Holden enquired about the risks to staff health of certain types of recycling and wheeled bin types and associated collection methods. Chris Lee confirmed that the main cause of muscular skeletal issues was bending to pick up waste sacks and boxes rather than walking and rolling wheeled bins to the collection vehicles.

Councillor Daniel Holden asked if there was an opportunity to sell the wheeled bins on, that will be used in the pilot, upon completion. Cormac Stokes explained that there was a market for wheeled bins with other councils, residents who wish to purchase their own, and also for the council waste collection teams to carry waste to vehicles.

Councillor John Sargeant put forward a motion that this decision be referred back to Cabinet for reconsideration. This motion was seconded by Councillor Daniel Holden. Panel voted 4 in favour and 5 against.

RESOLVED:That the decision taken by Cabinet, at their meeting on 19^th January 2015, on waste collection, street cleaning and recycling opportunities go ahead as agreed.