Question:
During the election campaign,
residents of Shinfield North expressed opposition; concerns; lack
of knowledge; or support for the proposed changes for waste
collection.
Opponents were scornful of the decision making process; whether it
would save money or not. Parents, carers who use disposable nappies
(and neighbours) enquired as to hygiene or foul smells especially
during summer.
Concerns ranged from “where are we going to put things for
two weeks” or “more hard plastic - how green is
that”; the negative visual impact and the practicality. As
one resident asked “how's my 84 year
old neighbour going to get the bin up and down all those
steps?”
Support came from those who were fed up with the litter all over
the place after collection day, which was ascribed to bags being
ripped open by foxes or from spillage during collection.
One question was tantamount to "how did WBC come this decision -
was it based on a biased consultation where you couldn’t say
what you wanted?"
Residents' views were significantly divided between blue bags and
wheelie bins, also between weekly and two-weekly collection.
What messages should all Councillors, or candidates, be
communicating to residents in response to their concerns or
opposition?
Minutes:
Question
During the election campaign, residents of Shinfield North expressed opposition; concerns; lack of knowledge; or support for the proposed changes to the waste collection system.
Some who opposed the changes were scornful as to the decision making process; or whether or not it would ever save any money. Others caring for babies or for adults who have to use disposable nappies - plus their neighbours - asked whether it was going to be hygienic or just stink everyone’s houses out especially during a hot summer?
Concerns about the proposed changes ranged from “where are we going to put things for two weeks” or “more hard plastic - how green is that” while others talked about the negative visual impact or the practicality. As one resident put it “how's my 84 year old neighbour going to get the bin up and down all those steps?”
Support came from those who were fed up with having to clean up after the bin men had been and gone, or with their blue bags being chewed apart by foxes and cats.
Paraphrasing one question, it was tantamount to "how did WBC ever come to make such a daft decision and was it based on the biased consultation where you couldn’t express the answer you wanted to" ?
But what was patently clear was that residents' views were significantly divided.
So, on behalf of all who expressed a view, what messages should all Councillors, or candidates, communicate to residents in response to their concerns?
Answer
https://wokingham.moderngov.co.uk/documents/g4261/Public%20reports%20pack%2021st-Mar-2023%2019.00%20Executive.pdf?T=10
Our decision is robust, informed by public consultation, the input of industry experts and by the experience of the 85% of councils that already use the method we are proposing. Indeed, we will draw on their experience to take into account residents' concerns about things like the suitability of a property for a bin, the size of bin, assisted collections, and medical and large family needs. We understand that change can be difficult, but we will be adopting the mitigations proven by many others.
Finally, to answer your question directly, the messages that councillors should be communicating to the residents are:
- We cannot afford to continue with the current expensive system.
- Secondly, we need to improve our recycling rates to meet environmental targets.
- Thirdly, we must take note of impending legislative changes that will result in direct government intervention to achieve their declared and desired consistency, which will make changes to waste collection inevitable.
Supplementary Question:
Some of those opposed to the changes challenged where the money for the wheelie bins and another complete extra set of green bags for recycling, was coming from. They alleged that the facts and figures were not made clear in February’s Budget papers, and also that when the Executive recommendation in March, was voted down by Full Council two days later, as provided for by WBC’s Constitution in multiple places, that Full Council being reduced to that of an advisory role the following day, was not engaging stakeholder effectively, constitutionally or democratically. So please could you provide a clear, accurate and complete description that will amply demonstrate that these allegations are not factually, correct?
Supplementary Answer:
I believe we have provided that in the paper that I referred to, at March Executive.