Issue - meetings

Report by the Deputy Chief Executive.

31.1     The Chair introduced the report and outlined that its purpose was to allow the Committee to consider the call-in in relation to the decision by the Lead Member for Transport and Environment regarding the Proposed Implementation of a booking system at Household Waste Recycling Sites (HWRS).

31.2     The Committee considered the call-in and the information contained in the report. A summary of the questions raised, and comments made is given below.

Process for using HWRS sites under the new booking system

31.3     The Committee asked how a site user’s experience of using a HWRS site would change with the introduction of a booking system.

31.4     The Waste Team Manager outlined that the reason a booking system had been proposed was not just to address congestion and queuing at some sites, but also to improve operational efficiency and customer experience, as well as contributing to the financial savings the Council had to make. The change in site users’ experience would be that before going to a HWRS site, a person would have to book a 30 minute slot online. Slots can be booked up to 2 weeks in advance and could also be booked on the day. This would ensure residents would have a good experience of using a HWRS as they would be less congested and site staff would be more available to provide assistance if needed.

31.5     The Committee asked if the online booking system would be an app or another type of software and whether there would be telephone access to the booking system. The Waste Team Manager responded that there will be a link to a website for people to book slots. People will also be able to book by telephone through a call centre if they are not able to access the website. It will also be possible for people to book a slot on behalf of a resident.

Public consultation responses

31.6     Committee members observed that the public consultation on the introduction of a booking system had a 92% feedback that residents did not want a booking system and asked why the proposals were going ahead.

31.7     The Waste Team Manager acknowledged the high response rate to the consultation and the negative feedback. This was taken into account, but on balance it was considered that the proposal should go ahead on the basis of the multiple benefits in terms of customer experience and operational efficiency, and the need to make savings. The Waste Team Manager added that many of the HWRS sites were seeing an increase in the number of visits and, although site staff did their best to check and assist anyone using the site, the new booking system will help site staff support site visitors. He outlined that it was not possible to have a partial booking system that only covered some sites for the reasons set out in the Lead Member report, and it was better to have a consistent policy for all sites across the county.

Planned savings from introducing  ...  view the full minutes text for item 31

Report by the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport

52.1     The Lead Member considered a report by the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport.

DECISIONS

52.2     The Lead Member RESOLVED to:

(1) Note the response to the public consultation on the introduction of a booking system for Household Waste Recycling Sites;

(2) Note the petition opposing the introduction of a booking system for Household Waste Recycling Sites submitted by the Lewes Liberal Democrats;

(3) Approve the proposal to introduce a booking system for access to all East Sussex Household Waste Recycling Sites;

(4) Approve the proposal to include as part of the booking system the ability to charge non-East Sussex residents a set fee to use East Sussex Household Waste Recycling Sites; and

(5) Delegate authority to the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport to implement and make changes to a booking system, agree the charges for non-East Sussex residents and develop a policy to govern its ongoing operation and enforcement.

REASONS

52.3     Within the context of the budget pressures facing the authority and the significant increase in the usage of the Household Waste Recycling Sites (HWRS) network (including visits by traders and out of county residents), a system to regulate access, reduce trade use and charge for out-of-area visits will help contribute to improving the efficiency of the service and reduce the authority’s funding gap. The charge for out of county residents will be reviewed annually along with the charges for non-household waste at recycling sites as part of the Council’s annual fees and charges review mechanism.

52.4     From the consultation results, the vast majority of those that responded do not want a booking system. However, the experience of neighbouring authorities who have introduced systems has been that some residents do not want the system to begin with, but then become accustomed to it. In June 2021, after implementing their scheme one year previously, Kent County Council asked 5,866 of their household waste site users how positive or negative would you feel about using the booking system in the future. 84.9% responded that they would be ‘extremely or quite positive’ about using one. West Sussex County Council carried out a consultation in 2021 on continuing with the booking system that was introduced during the pandemic. Over 60% of respondents strongly agreed or agreed that the booking system should be maintained. Over 80% said it was extremely easy or quite easy to make a booking.

52.5     The booking system will:

·         Help to manage queues at peak times at our busiest sites;

·         Help to improve operations and safety;

·         Help to prevent traders from bringing in commercial waste which should not be disposed of at taxpayers’ expense; and

·         Ensure only East Sussex residents are accessing the sites for free.

52.6     Booking a HWRS visit will require a little effort from residents to access a service that is currently freely available. Around 50% of councils in England now operate some sort of booking system for their HWRS, including West Sussex, Hampshire, Kent and West Berkshire. Information received from these councils suggests they  ...  view the full minutes text for item 52