Decision details

1.    To consider the business case for combining the function of the Waste Disposal Authority with that of Surrey’s Waste Collection Authorities to deliver waste services via a new co-ownership partnership

2.    To agree the next steps for the county council to take in order to deliver this change and realise best value for the Surrey taxpayer

RESOLVED:

1.         To agree to combine SCC’s Waste Disposal Authority partnership functions, as described in paragraph 28 of the submitted report, with the functions of the four joint waste collection contract authorities in early 2017/18, and that authority be delegated to the Strategic Director for Environment and Infrastructure, in consultation with the Leader of the Council and the Cabinet Member for Environment and Planning, to enter into the required agreements.

2.         That officers be tasked to develop a business case, which recommends the optimum solution for the transfer of the remaining core Waste Disposal Authority functions, as set out in paragraph 27 of the submitted report, to the new partnership entity, and to return to Cabinet in June 2017 with detailed proposals.

3.         That officers continue to work through the Surrey Waste Partnership to engage with district and borough councils on how all authorities can adopt a single waste approach that is mutually beneficial, whilst delivering savings and improved services for Surrey residents.

4.         The proposals for financial arrangements with Waste Collection Authorities in 2017/18, as set out in paragraphs 42 and 43 of the submitted report, be approved.

5.         That officers write to all Waste Collection Authorities to give formal notice of SCC’s intention to centrally manage kerbside collected recyclables, via SCC’s waste disposal contractor.

Reason for Decisions:

Delivering waste collection and disposal services through a single organisation that is co-owned by all Surrey’s authorities will deliver significant cost savings for the County Council and Surrey’s district and borough councils, whilst improving services and delivering value for Surrey residents.

Combining SCC’s waste partnership functions with the four district and borough councils which are part of the joint waste collection contract will demonstrate the early benefits of partnership working, reduce the duplication of effort inherent in the current system, improve the service offered to Surrey residents, and concentrate combined effort on the delivery of savings.

More work is required to fully appraise the benefits of integrating SCC’s remaining Waste Disposal Authority functions into a joint entity. It is also necessary to engage positively with all Surrey Waste Collection Authorities to continue to develop and deliver plans for a fully co-owned entity that are mutually beneficial and maximise benefit for Surrey residents.

Changes to the financial arrangements with Waste Collection Authorities in 2017/18 are necessary to improve performance and make savings in the short term, whilst work continues on the delivery of a single co-owned approach to waste management which will deliver savings in the longer term. This will include giving early notice of the council’s intention to centrally manage kerbside collected recyclables in order to deliver cost savings and replace the existing recycling credit system.

[The decision on this item may be called in by the Economic Prosperity, Environment and Highways Scrutiny Board]