Issue - meetings

To consider the decision of the Cabinet for the report requesting authority to spend some of the allocated £1.078m funding for 2025/6 to deliver the new and enhanced initiatives, aimed at achieving higher rates of recycling in Stevenage.

Notice of Decisions to follow in separate document.

The Assistant Director (SDS) advised that a report had been presented to Cabinet outlining proposals for the utilisation of a portion of the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) funding totalling £1.078 million. The funding was allocated across three key workstreams:

Capital improvements at 74 flat blocks, including signage and infrastructure upgrades.

Contingency provision for any funding shortfall in the rollout of mandatory food waste collections from April 2026.

Project management support to ensure successful delivery of these initiatives.

Cabinet welcomed the focus on improving recycling provision at flat blocks, which were acknowledged as challenging areas. Cabinet had approved all recommendations contained in the report.

Members expressed particular interest in the trial of a new three-wheeled bin designed to improve access at blocks with limited mobility infrastructure. These bins were intended to assist waste crews and could reduce the need for structural changes such as ramps.

Responding to a Member question, the Assistant Director (SDS) confirmed that 74 flat blocks (59 council-owned and 15 private) were subject to a comprehensive audit. The audit assessed the presence and adequacy of current recycling facilities. Private blocks, from which the Council also collected waste, would benefit from improved signage and community engagement to encourage recycling.

A Member asked a question regarding anticipated increases in recycling post works. The Assistant Director (SDS) advised that data from a previous pilot indicated a sustained increase in recycling rates post-intervention. Extrapolating from this, officers estimated a potential 2–4% increase in borough-wide recycling rates from the flat block improvements. A further 5% increase was anticipated following the introduction of separate food waste collections, potentially lifting overall rates from 39% to between 44–47%.

A Member asked a question regarding the location of bins. It was clarified that all bins would be external to buildings in line with fire safety regulations. The three-wheeled bins were to be used by crews on collection days and do not imply indoor storage or individual floor-level facilities.

The Assistant Director (SDS) confirmed they were liaising with planning colleagues to ensure future developments accommodated appropriate waste and recycling infrastructure. The Assistant Director (Planning and Regulation) added that harmonisation of requirements through the local planning system remained an ongoing priority.

The Chair commented on the potential safety issues that may arise regarding ramp gradients in adverse weather. The Assistant Director (SDS) assured members that ramps would be site-specific, compliant with building regulations, and installed in consultation with engineering colleagues.

Responded to a Member comment regarding overall reduction of waste, the importance of prioritising waste reduction over recycling was reiterated. The Assistant Director (SDS) advised that the EPR scheme’s polluter-pays principle was designed to discourage excessive packaging by producers, with taxation acting as a deterrent.

It was acknowledged that the EPR income was an ongoing allocation, however future sums were not expected to be at the same level as the year one allocation.  The Assistant Director (SDS) confirmed that transparency and strategic allocation of these funds would be ensured through Cabinet oversight and financial governance.

To consider a report requesting authority to spend some of the allocated £1.078m funding for 2025/6 to deliver the new and enhanced initiatives, aimed at achieving higher rates of recycling in Stevenage.

Cabinet received a report seeking authority to spend some of the allocated £1.078m funding for 2025/6 to deliver new and enhanced initiatives aimed at achieving higher rates of recycling in Stevenage.  This included the introduction of facilities at flat blocks that currently had no/limited on-site provision and/or required building works to enable level access for collection purposes.

Members noted that the report also proposed funding a Project Manager to oversee the implementation of these changes, working with residents to help make this a success.

The Portfolio Holder advised that this was a real opportunity for the Council to increase its recycling rates with the inclusion of 74 flat blocks in the town which currently had no recycling facilities.  He thanked the officers for their work on this initiative.

Members welcomed the improvements, particularly highlighting the new 3 wheeled wheelie bins which had been developed by the Team and suggested that the possibility of a patent for the design should be investigated.

It was RESOLVED:

1.    That the use of up to £719,000 from EPR funding to deliver recycling improvements to seventy-four flat blocks, to provide the necessary opportunities for residents to recycle plastics, glass, cardboard and food be approved.

2.    That up to £199,000 from EPR funding to support the implementation of separate food waste collections to residents, should the funding received for this from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) need to be increased be approved.

3.    That an allocation of £52,000 from the EPR funding to fund the SDS waste project manager costs in 25/26 and commits to a subsequent allocation to fund the salary (with any pay increase) in 26/27 (subject to funding), to deliver the legislative requirement for separate weekly food waste collections from residential premises from April 2026, and to support the delivery of the flat block recycling improvements be approved.

Cabinet received a report seeking authority to spend some of the allocated £1.078m funding for 2025/6 to deliver new and enhanced initiatives aimed at achieving higher rates of recycling in Stevenage.  This included the introduction of facilities at flat blocks that currently had no/limited on-site provision and/or required building works to enable level access for collection purposes.  The introduction of a separate Food Waste Collection was also planned to be implemented by April 2026

Members noted that the report also proposed funding a Project Manager to oversee the implementation of these changes, working with residents to help make this a success.

The Portfolio Holder advised that this was a real opportunity for the Council to increase its recycling rates with the inclusion of 74 flat blocks in the town which currently had no recycling facilities.  He thanked the officers for their work on this initiative.

Members welcomed the improvements, particularly highlighting the new 3 wheeled wheelie bins which had been developed by the Team which enabled easier recycling for residents living in flat blocks and suggested that the possibility of a patent for the design should be investigated. 

In response to a request, officers agreed to look into the possibility of providing recycling facilities at events held in the Town.

It was RESOLVED:

1.    That the use of up to £719,000 from EPR funding to deliver recycling improvements to seventy-four flat blocks, to provide the necessary opportunities for residents to recycle plastics, glass, cardboard and food be approved.

2.    That up to £199,000 from EPR funding to support the implementation of separate food waste collections to residents, should the funding received for this from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) need to be increased be approved.

3.    That an allocation of £52,000 from the EPR funding to fund the SDS waste project manager costs in 25/26 and commits to a subsequent allocation to fund the salary (with any pay increase) in 26/27 (subject to funding), to deliver the legislative requirement for separate weekly food waste collections from residential premises from April 2026, and to support the delivery of the flat block recycling improvements be approved.