Decision details

Proposed decision – The Cabinet Member for Environment proposes to provide continued financial support for the kerbside collection systems, through Inter Authority Agreements which detail a performance-based payment scheme. Canterbury City Council & Thanet District Council are implementing kerbside household waste collection services to sustain increased recycling and composting levels. Payments will be based upon waste disposal cost reduction, with savings shared equally between the County Council and both Collection Authorities.

Reason for the decision: These proposed agreements accord with the policy approach agreed by the Cabinet Committee on the 31^st May 2018, that new Waste Partnership Agreements with Collection Authorities should include the reward based on performance.

Background: Partnership agreements and shared savings have proved to be a very successful method to share the benefits and rewards of reducing residual waste, they actively act as an incentive and have driven higher levels of recycling and therefore positive environmental outcomes. They have already been implemented in West Kent at Gravesham, Tonbridge & Malling and Tunbridge Wells Folkestone & Hythe and Dover District and Borough Councils.

Options: The existing fixed enabling payments will no longer continue as the East Kent Waste Partnership ends in January 2021. These fixed payments have not proved to incentivise collection Authorities to achieve the targeted levels of recyclate. KCC has borne this commercial risk over the last 7 years

How the proposed decision meets the objectives of ‘Increasing Opportunities, Improving   Outcomes: Kent County Council’s Strategic Statement (2015-2020)’: Improved and available kerbside recycling schemes contributes to the protection and enhancement of the natural environment, supports a good quality of life for residents and allows sustainable waste growth through increased housing and population growth.

As Cabinet Member for Environment, I agree give approval to KCC entering into an Inter Authority Agreement (IAA) with Canterbury City Council and Thanet District Council in full to make performance payments to increase levels of recycling and reduce disposal costs for KCC.