That the Cabinet recommends to Council:

1.            That within Action 2 of the approved Resources and Waste Management Strategy 2022-2023:

a.    The sixth paragraph be deleted; and

b.    The words “To support any changes to the frequency of residual waste collections” be deleted from the start of the seventh paragraph.

2.            That within the Regional Context section of the Strategy:

a.    The first sentence of the final paragraph be deleted; and

b.    The start of the second sentence of the final paragraph be amended to read “East Devon District Council found…”.

The reason for the decision is to provide clarity within the Council’s Policy Framework about the future plans for the collection of residual waste.

The alternative option would be to make no changes to the Resource and Waste Management Strategy.  However, it is felt that by removing the references to a trial of a reduced frequency of collection of residual waste, the Council was able to provide clarity about its future plans in this regard.

The recommendation of the Cabinet will be considered at the Council meeting on 15 September 2022.

The Resource and Waste Management Strategy 2020 – 2023 was approved by Council in February 2021.  Although the Strategy included a reference to undertaking a trial of a reduction in the frequency of residual waste collections, this was not included within the Action Plan associated with the strategy.

The Council and SWISCo were working hard to increase recycling rates, thereby reducing the amount of residual waste that households generate. However, it was felt that the ongoing inclusion of the potential for this trial could cause a distraction from the important work to improve the levels of household recycling in the Bay.

At the meeting, Councillor Morey proposed and Councillor Steve Darling seconded a motion that was agreed unanimously by the Cabinet, as set out above.

None.