Agenda item

This report focusses on the implementation of the fully chargeable garden waste subscription scheme which was launched in July 2024 with an operational go live date of 5th August 2024.

The Head of Environmental Services introduced the report and outlined that the positive take up of Garden Waste Subscriptions. He also confirmed that concerns regarding an increase in household waste and fly tipping had not shown up in the Council’s data, with both household waste and fly tipping being down in 2024 on 2023’s data. It was confirmed that with any new service the Council would review its roll out and as a result had already increased the number of staff answering questions in customer services on the scheme and had expanded the criteria for those receiving a discounted subscription.

The Committee enquired about the possibility of expanding the service to households who were unable to get garden waste collections pre or post subscription. Officers confirmed that they had expanded the service to more areas including two new housing developments. They also confirmed that the Council was rolling out the bags to bins collections in six wards during 2025 and the intention was for properties to be able to participate in the garden waste subscription scheme in the future. It was noted that the Council would consider surveys to gauge demand in areas that currently couldn’t access garden waste collections. Officers confirmed that there would likely be some capacity in the system, but this would be clearer once it was the Council was aware of how many repeat subscriptions it would have from the previous year.

Officers confirmed that the testing phase had been vital in rollout and the ability to delay by two weeks in July 2024 had allowed the Council to ensure online system worked correctly. It was noted that the online form was the first on a new Granicus CRM system for the Council, there had been initial plans to have the discounted offer for those on Council tax support to be integrated automatically however, this was not possible. Members enquired about how the collection crews had found the rollout and it was confirmed while there were some concerns leading up to the start of the new subscription service, the team had been provided with support including information to provide to resident queries which worked effectively.

It was confirmed that the current cost of running the service was around £1.85 million when accounting for staff, vehicles, and fuel. The expected revenue from the subscription was between £1.5 and £1.6 million. The Executive Member for Environment and Climate Emergency confirmed to the Committee that the aim of the subscription was to reduce the cost on the Council budget without losing the service.

Members made several enquiries relating to the subscription service for residents, including cost, access for those in deprived areas, and the ability to share subscriptions. The data for subscriptions currently showed them by ward, the Council currently was unable to gauge how many were shared subscriptions but that this was promoted to residents. It was confirmed that the Council would examine the possibility, in communication to subscribers, whether these were shared. It was also confirmed that the Council was evaluating whether to retain the current subscription method or look at being able to move to a direct debit which would let residents have a rolling subscription. The possibility of monthly payments was discussed but officers noted that this would be very costly and direct debit scheme is likely to remain one payment. due to the cost of running a monthly direct debit.

Resolved:

                         i.         That the Committee asked that their thanks be passed to all officers and collection crews involved in the rollout of the service.

                        ii.         To request that the Council review whether the Subscription could be moved to a direct debit model;

                      iii.         To request that the Council seek to expand access to the garden waste collections subscription service;

                      iv.         To add an update on garden waste collections to the Committees work plan for 2025/26.

Reason:     To provide scrutiny on the rollout and performance of the garden waste collection service post the introduction of a subscription model.