Decision details

The operating policies are being reviewed to make financial savings, to ensure the sites meet their operating objectives and that the illegal use of sites to dispose of commercial waste free of charge is reduced.

The Cabinet Member for Communities is asked to approve the following to be implemented from Monday 24^th April 2017:

a) The residents permit scheme will change from electronic pre-registration to providing proof of residency at the recycling centres.

b) Vans (non-hired), trailers and other vehicles will be required to apply for an electronic permit and will not be able to use the recycling centres on a Friday, Sunday or Monday.

C) The types of vehicles that can access the recycling centres and those that require a permit are as detailed in the report.

d)  The volume of DIY waste that will be permitted to be disposed of as household waste is set at a maximum of 6 black sacks per week.

e)  Legal enforcement powers are used to ensure the sites are used only for the legitimate disposal of Bath & North East Somerset residents’ household waste.

Up to 3 hours of work per day is currently spent administering and updating the electronic residents’ permits.  When considered against the numbers of residents still using the sites without valid permits, it is considered that the residents only policy can be managed effectively by requiring proof of residence when visiting the sites, while at the same time reinforcing the message, already communicated around the recycling centres, that provision is only for BANES Council Tax payers.

Traders using the sites in vans are known to be most likely to be disposing of trade waste illegally (as a proportion of users).  Restricting the days vans are able to use the sites, and enabling staff to focus on addressing these concerns, has been proven to work in neighbouring waste authorities’.  It currently costs B&NES over £200k per annum for the disposal of rubble, plasterboard and wood.  Restricting opening hours for vans, trailers and other vehicles that require a permit will help to reduce this expenditure.

 The current publicised limits around DIY waste are widely misunderstood and misinterpreted by site visitors.  The current policy permits 10 black sacks per project but this can lead to heated debate both on site and for customer service representatives over the phone. 

For the sake of clarity ‘6 black sacks per week’ gives a far clearer message to residents.  There is no statutory obligation for the Council to accept this waste, free of charge,  but the 6 bag limit offers a service for those who are not generating enough waste to justify a skip or the use of a waste disposal company and payment of associated fees.

A number of other options have been considered and discounted which are summarised in the report.