Issue - meetings

Cabinet Member: Deputy Leader with Responsibility for Climate Change, Environment and Future Generations

Forward Plan Ref: 2024/331

Contact: Teresa Kirkham, Head of Countryside and Waste

Teresa.kirkham@oxfordshire.gov.uk

Report by Director of Environment and Highways (CA13).

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to

a)    Approve the commencement of work to explore and consider options for the household waste recycling centre management service delivery provision, noting that the current contract is coming to an end in September 2027.

b)    Endorse the proposed approach for developing the options and key procurement stages as set out in this paper. 

c)    To approve the use of Extended Producer Responsibility funding for consultancy work to support the future household waste recycling centre model development.

Recommendations approved.

Cabinet had before it a report in proposals for a new service delivery model for the Council’s Household Waste Recycling Centres.

Councillor Pete Sudbury, Deputy Leader with Responsibility for Climate Change, Environment and Future Generations, presented the report. He explained that Oxfordshire has been the top waste recycler in England for the past ten years. The Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs) were a popular and effective part of this success. The Council was already investing significantly in maintaining and improving the Redbridge site and searching for a replacement for the Ardley site, which was nearing the end of its lease.

The Council recently extended the current contract for the management of HWRCs by three years, but this contract would need to be re-tendered in 2.5 years. The Council's waste team was proactively starting the process to explore and consider options for the future management of HWRCs. This included taking into account the new government's implementation of the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and the goal of zero waste.

During discussion, members expressed support for exploring options and highlighted the importance of collaboration with neighbouring authorities to address gaps in HWRC coverage, particularly in the northwest of Oxfordshire.

Councillor Sudbury acknowledged the challenges of cross-border collaboration but emphasised the importance of finding a solution that worked for Oxfordshire residents. He added that the Council would use EPR funding to support the development of a new HWRC service delivery model.

Councillor Sudbury moved and Councillor Howson seconded the recommendations, and they were approved.

RESOLVED to

a)    approve the commencement of work to explore and consider options for the household waste recycling centre management service delivery provision, noting that the current contract is coming to an end in September 2027.

b)    endorse the proposed approach for developing the options and key procurement stages as set out in this paper. 

c)    approve the use of Extended Producer Responsibility funding for consultancy work to support the future household waste recycling centre model development.