Decision details

Proposed decision

To give approval to increase disposal charges levied at the HWRCs for non-household waste materials and through the main delegations, via the Officer Scheme of Delegation, the Director of Environment & Waste is to review annually and publish charges in line with changing operational costs.

Reason for the decision

KCC operates a network of 19 HWRCs across the county, a policy of charging for the disposal of non-household materials, namely soil, rubble, hardcore and plasterboard was introduced in June 2019. Prior to this, costs for charging for the disposal of vehicle tyres was introduced in 2012.

Following a review of increasing waste disposal costs, it is proposed to raise charges in line with inflation, charges have not risen since the implementation of the policy. 

Background

Fees were initially set and agreed in 2019, these were determined by several cost factors including disposal and treatment of the material, haulage, contractor management fees, administration fees and resources for the implementation of the service. 

Each year, operating costs are increased for haulage and disposal rates for each of the material streams. This proposal to increase charges is based upon actual inflationary changes, which are applied to each disposal contract.

Prices have not been reviewed since the commencement of the policy in June 2019; it is proposed to increase charges by subsequent years of indexation, with actual inflation applied to the start of the 23/24 financial year.

Options (other options considered but discarded)

The option to hold charges is discounted as the cost of delivering all aspects of the service has risen. The Council wishes to continue to offer this chargeable service as an option to residents rather than prohibit the acceptance of non-household waste materials at HWRCs.

How the proposed decision supports Framing Kent’s Future 2022-2026

The success of this service has seen waste materials reduce since its implementation in June 2019, it has encouraged some re-use which supports the Waste hierarchy and reduced haulage levels and therefore carbon by avoiding transportation. 

Data Protection Implications

A DPIA has been completed.       

As Cabinet Member for Environment, I agree to increase disposal charges levied at the HWRCs for non-household waste materials and through the main delegations, via the Officer Scheme of Delegation, for the Director of Environment & Waste to review annually and publish charges in line with changing operational costs.