Issue - meetings

(David Beaver, Head of Waste Management and Business Services was in attendance for this item)

(1)          Miss Carey (Cabinet Member for the Environment) introduced the report which asked the cabinet committee to consider and endorse, or make recommendations on a proposed decision to enter into an inter-authority agreement with Dover District Council and Folkestone and Hythe District Council to make performance payments to increase levels of recycling and reduce disposal costs for KCC. She praised the two district councils for their efforts and success in increasing their recycling rates and for continuing to take on additional subscriptions for garden waste collection during the lockdown period. 

(2)          In response to questions, Miss Carey said KCC would like to enter into similar agreements with other district, borough, and city councils, but that this could only be rolled out when existing contracts between local councils and waste contractors were due for renewal.  She also said that less than 1% of Kent’s waste went to landfill, 50% was recycled and the balance was converted to energy.  A significant proportion of the 1% that went to landfill was asbestos which was subject to stringent deep landfill requirements.  In response to a further question she said the opportunities for moving recyclate by boat could be considered.  It was, however, also suggested that the tidal conditions at Folkestone Harbour, and the fact it was no longer registered as port, meant that it could not accept vessels. 

(3)          Mr Beaver said discussions about the financial and environmental advantages of similar agreements were already underway with other local councils.  He also said there was a risk that increased recycling rates might have an impact on the amount of material sent to Allington for conversion to energy; however, it might be possible to re-negotiate some contracts with partners to mitigate the risk of incurring penalties by not reaching the target of sending a minimum of 310,000 tonnes annually.

(4)          RESOLVED that the proposed decision of the Cabinet Member for the Environment to approve KCC entering into an inter authority agreement with Dover District Council and Folkestone and Hythe District Council to make performance payments to increase levels of recycling and reduce disposal costs for KCC be endorsed.