Issue - meetings

In accordance with Section 100B(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the Leader has agreed to the inclusion of this item on the agenda as a matter of urgency.  The urgency arises from the need for Cabinet to consider the motion referred by Council relating to the roll-out of the Council’s new waste and recycling service, and to make recommendations back to Council in view of the financial implications. The urgency is due to the upcoming phase two roll-out and the need to conclude the matters raised by the motion at the Council’s next ordinary meeting on 15 September 2025.

RESOLVED:

1.     That Cabinet considered the contents of the report, and the summary of the debate at the Extraordinary Council meeting, included at Appendix 4;

2.     That Cabinet noted the change in approach to food waste collection during the pannage period, whereby residents within the perambulation will be asked to keep food caddies behind gates;

3.     That officers would continue to work on a business case to extend the “behind gate” policy beyond pannage, and that an “in principle” agreement to this longer-term policy change is given, with the final decision being subject to a business case;

4.     That the Waste Programme Board will retain oversight of implementation, and will receive a Phase 2 plan and updated risk assessment;

5.     That Cabinet supported further dedicated engagement sessions for ward councillors throughout the phased rollout to support their role within their local communities;

6.     That, in considering the motion referred to Cabinet by Council at Appendix 1, the Cabinet noted that the options appraisal in the report identified that phases two and three should proceed as planned, with the mitigations and improvements noted in the action plan in this report; and

7.     That Cabinet recommend to Council to endorse the Cabinet’s resolutions above, as the correct and proportionate response to the motion.

KEY DECISION:

Report to Cabinet and Council

PORTFOLIO:

Environment and Sustainability

ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED/REJECTED:

As set out in the report.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST:

Cllr Heron declared a non-pecuniary interest as he had been a practising commoner, his brother was the Official Verderer and that he was a member of the New Forest Association.

DISCUSSION:

The Leader clarified that the item followed the Extraordinary Council meeting held on 28 August 2025.  In accordance with Section 100B(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, she reported she had agreed to the include the item on the agenda as a matter of urgency.  The urgency arose from the need for Cabinet to consider the motion referred by Council relating to the roll-out of the Council’s new waste and recycling service, and to make recommendations back to Council in view of the financial implications. The urgency was due to the upcoming phase two roll-out and the need to conclude the matters raised by the motion at the Council’s next ordinary meeting on 15 September 2025.

The Portfolio Holder for Environment and Sustainability reported he was pleased to present the report with an update on the implementation of the new waste and recycling collection service.  The transition was one of the most significant operational changes in decades.  It was ambitious, complex and essential, not only to meet the statutory obligations of the Environment Act 2021, but also to deliver a sustainable and modern service for local communities.  It was acknowledged that residents had experienced disruption during the phase one roll out.  At the Extraordinary Council meeting he had offered his sincere apologies to residents.  He understood that there was a degree of frustration and that work was being carried out to resolve the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 28