Agenda item

Consider report by Depute Chief Executive – Place proposing that the Council increases its Trade Waste Fees and Charges (copy attached).

4.1       There had been circulated copies of a report by the Depute Chief Executive – Place proposing that the Council increases its Trade Waste Fees and Charges.  The report explained that a review of the Council’s current trade waste collection service had been undertaken by Waste Consulting Limited. The review made a number of recommendations including that the current pricing structure required immediate review as the rates charged for some services were considerably below those charged by other Scottish Local Authorities.  Further to the review it was recommended that trade waste fee and charges were increased to ensure the Council was making a reasonable charge and recovering its costs in line with the Environmental Protection Act (1990).  The recommendations of the review were set out in detail within the report, with a summary of the fees and charges set by Scottish Borders compared with other Scottish Local Authorities shown in Appendix 1 to the report. Appendix 2 to the report detailed the recommended increase in fees and charges which would be phased over two years.  The report further proposed that a new post be created to support the implementation and ongoing delivery of the trade waste service.  Part of the role would involve supporting traders in driving down the amount of waste produced, while identifying the most appropriate waste services for their business to maximise recycling and diversion in the move towards the Scottish Government’s vision of a Zero Waste Society.

4.2       In their discussions of the report, Members were concerned at the size of the increase in fees and charges proposed but endorsed the need for the Council to recover its costs.  Support was expressed for the proposal to provide advice and guidance to traders in relation to waste management for reasons of efficiency and to minimise landfill.  However Mr Henderson, on behalf of the Federation of Small Businesses, expressed alarm at the size of the proposed increases and was concerned about the impact on businesses. In response to his questions the Waste Manager confirmed that similar rural authorities had been included in the comparison study carried out and that the implications to businesses had been examined.  He added that it was not the aim of the Council to make a profit but just to reduce the current subsidy provided and arrive at a cost-recovery position, which it would not do until the end of the second year if the proposed increases were approved.  The Chief Financial Officer confirmed that the current trade waste service cost £1.2m per annum.  In conclusion Members agreed that in consideration of the Council’s revenue position and wider financial context, the increases in fees and charges should be supported.

DECISION

AGREED to:-

(a)          implement the recommendations of the Trade Waste Review as outlined in section 3 to the report; and

(b)       increase the fees and charges over a two year period as outlined in sections 4 and 6 in the report.

URGENT BUSINESS

Under Section 50B(4)(b) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, the Chairman was of the opinion that the item dealt with in the following paragraph should be considered at the meeting as a matter of urgency, in view of the need to keep Members informed.  The report had been delayed because of the need to have final verification of some of the data contained within it.