Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Forhad Chowdhury and Anne Wells.

There were no declarations of interest.

To receive the Minutes of the meeting of the Environment & Economy Select Committee, held on 11 June 2025 and agree them as a correct record.

The Committee considered the Minutes of the meeting held on 11 June 2025. Amendments were noted relating to corrections to apologies for absence and clarification of speaker attribution. Subject to these amendments, it was agreed that the Minutes be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

To receive a presentation from Stevenage Direct Services Officers regarding the collection of waste and recycling from SBC residential blocks.

(Presentation to follow)

The Chair introduced the item and advised Members that while fly tipping would be referred to as part of discussions, enforcement matters were not within the scope of the review.

The Assistant Director (Stevenage Direct Services) introduced the Head of Environmental Operations and the Waste Projects Manager who were leading on the presentation.

Officers provided a detailed presentation which covered the following:

-       Approximately 8,000 flats exist in Stevenage, representing 21% of the housing stock. Many were built in the 1960s and 1970s before modern waste systems, creating long-term challenges;

-       Key issues included lack of space for bins, difficult access and stairs, and higher rates of contamination compared to houses;

-       Refuse chutes in high-rise blocks were often abused or blocked, creating fire risks and requiring daily attendance from caretaking teams;

-       Borough-wide contamination rates stood at 1.2%, but flats contributed disproportionately due to misuse and limited information;

-       Case studies from Turpin’s Rise and Monument Court showed excess cardboard, dumping beside bins and residents using bin stores incorrectly;

-       Lessons from phase 1 pilot sites showed large increases in recycling rates following introduction of new signage and leaflets. A sustained increase was maintained over the following year;

-       Phase 2 pilots were being prepared with further sites selected across the town;

-       Government funding of £700,000 had been secured through Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) to support the works required by the March 2026 ‘Simpler Recycling’ deadline.

Members asked a range of questions and made comments, as summarised below:

High-rise refuse chutes and fire risk

Members queried issues with refuse chutes in high-rise blocks. Officers explained that these were often abused and blocked, creating fire hazards.

Caretaking teams had to attend daily to clear them and maintain safety.

Frequency and capacity of collections

Members asked if large blocks such as Monument Court had adequate capacity. Officers confirmed refuse was collected weekly and recycling fortnightly. Monument Court had substantial bin capacity, and discussions with housing providers were ongoing to expand provision ahead of food waste collections.

Population density and capacity calculations

A Member questioned whether population density was factored into planning. Officers confirmed capacity was calculated per property, not per person. Standard allowances were 180 litres refuse, with larger bins provided for households of six or more.

Misuse and external dumping

Concerns were raised that non-residents were depositing waste in bin stores. Officers stated that most misuse came from residents themselves. Newer blocks had coded or gated stores to limit access. CCTV was limited but effective where used.

CCTV coverage

A Member asked what proportion of blocks had CCTV. Officers advised that Monument Court did, but most older blocks did not. Some blocks acted as public cut-throughs, increasing the risk of misuse.

Affordability of bulky waste charges

Members highlighted challenges for residents without cars. Officers confirmed a bulky waste collection service was available for £49. They acknowledged this would not suit everyone, but added that cardboard could be disposed of over several weeks, though this was difficult in small  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

To receive Notes of the Member site visit to Council low rise residential flat blocks which was carried out on Monday 21 July 2025.

The Chair introduced the notes from the recent site visit, which were included in the agenda pack, explaining that the visit had provided Members with the opportunity to observe first-hand the challenges and practical constraints associated with waste and recycling provision in a number of flat blocks.

For the benefit of those Members who had been unable to attend, the Chair highlighted the main observations. These included the limited space available for bin storage in older blocks, the difficulties posed by stair access, and the impact of poor signage and contamination on recycling levels.

The Chair noted that Members had also seen examples of positive practice where improvements had already been trialled, and highlighted the value of site visits in informing the Committee’s ongoing scrutiny of waste and recycling services.

To consider any Part 1 business accepted by the Chair as urgent.

There was no Urgent Part I Business.

To consider the following motions –

1.  That under Section 100(A) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as described in paragraphs1 – 7 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act as amended by Local Government (Access to Information) (Variation) Order 2006.

2.  That Members consider the reasons for the following reports being in Part II and determine whether or not maintaining the exemption from disclosure of the information contained therein outweighs the public interest in disclosure.

Not required.

To consider any Part II business accepted by the Chair as urgent.

There was no Urgent Part II Business.