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.
Decision type: Key
Reason Key: Affects more than two Electoral Divisions;
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Division affected: (All Division);
Notice of proposed decision first published: 20/12/2022
Decision due: Not before 18th Jan 2023 by Cabinet Member for Environment
Lead member: Cabinet Member for Environment
Department: Growth, Environment & Transport
Consultation process
The proposed decision will be taken to Environment and Transport Cabinet Committee on 19 January 2023.
Financial implications: The proposal to increase charges for the disposal of non-household waste will provide funding that sustainability funds the service in line with rising contractual costs. Based upon current forecasting, inflationary increases are at c.£80k, when compared against the introduction of charges in 2019. It is proposed to raise charges in line with inflation.
Legal implications: A policy to adopt charging for non-household waste materials at the HWRCs was agreed by key decision 19/0001 by the Cabinet Member for Planning, Transport and Waste. These chargeable materials are treated as non-household waste, this is in accordance with the Controlled Waste Regulations 2012.
Equalities implications: An EqIA has been undertaken with no equalities implications identified.