Issue - meetings

To propose revised waste policies, including the Policy Development Panel’s feedback (report of the Director of Communities).

Consideration was given to the report of the Director of Communities which requested approval of waste policies required to implement the new waste collection delivery model.

The Portfolio Holder for Corporate and Environmental Services presented the report.

Cabinet made the decision in July 2025 to change the waste collection regime within the South Holland area and since that time, the team had been working towards implementing those changes.

A key item of those changes were the new waste policies which had been considered by two Special Policy Development Panel meetings on 17 December 2025 and 9 February 2026, prior to consideration at this meeting.

Members were reminded that these changes were driven by the Environment Act including the introduction of weekly food waste collections and the separation of paper and card from other recyclables.

The policies could be found in Supplement 1 of the agenda pack:

• Appendix A - Summary of Policies and Policy Development Panel discussions; and
• Appendix B - Full Policies document

Whilst there were a number of changes to the policies as a result of moving from bags to bins, the key change to identify was policy 3.5 on Side Waste, which stated that nothing placed outside of the bin would be collected.

For properties that were identified as not being suitable for bins, the policy outlined the number of bags that would continue to be provided and how many could be presented per collection.

Although the changes may be unpopular, SHDC as a local authority was required to:

• Control the amount of waste being collected.
• Drive up the amount of waste being recycled.
• Drive down the amount of waste being incinerated.

All of these would lead to a more effective and efficient service.

For those with additional capacity needs, Policy 3.14 showed that households of 6 or more residents or those with health needs would be able to request additional capacity.

Consideration was given to the report and the following issues were raised:

·       Members acknowledged the thorough work undertaken by the Policy Development Panel in scrutinising the policies.

·       Members raised concerns regarding the proposed charging arrangements for places of worship, village halls and community centres, noting that these venues were often run by volunteers and not-for-profit groups.  They also queried the original policy position relating to bin allocation and charging, particularly the shift from providing one free bin set to charging for all containers.

o   The Portfolio Holder responded that one free bin had been the original policy position, that the Policy Development Panel had recommended the revised approach of charging at a commercial rate due to the commercial nature of many activities undertaken within these buildings, such as private hire events, and that Cabinet retained the authority to amend the recommendations. It was confirmed that one free set of bins could be provided, with any additional requirement chargeable.

·       Councillor Taylor proposed an amendment to Recommendation 1, clarifying that places of worship, village halls and community centres should not be charged at a commercial rate  ...  view the full minutes text for item 103

To propose new waste policies required to implement the new waste collection delivery model (report of the Director of Communities enclosed).

Consideration was given to the report of the Director of Communities which proposed new Waste Policies required to implement the new waste collection delivery model.

The Director of Communities, the Assistant Director – Neighbourhoods, the SELCP Group Manager – Waste and Fleet Services and the Portfolio Holder for Environmental Services attended for this item.

The Assistant Director introduced the report and provided the panel with the legislative context, including the Environment Act 2021. Members were reminded that a new waste service delivery model for South Holland had already been approved in 2025 to meet the legislative changes. Appendix A set out strategic commitments, statutory responsibilities, 18 proposed new waste and recycling collection policies and governance information. Appendix B outlined a comparison with current policies.

Members considered the report and made the following comments against each proposed policy in turn, as outlined at point 3 of Appendix A:

3.1 Waste Collection

• Members were satisfied with this policy as written however one member suggested that communications reflect that that the Council decision to implement bins as the default receptacle, was not mandated by legislation.

3.2 Waste collection provision

• Members discussed the provision of kitchen and kerbside caddies for the weekly food waste collection, including the issue of liners. It was noted that a starter roll of 52 liners per household would be provided at roll-out. Views were expressed that ongoing provision of liners would drive participation and hygiene, with suggestions to allow residents to purchase additional liners if needed and for the Council to consider retailing extra rolls. Members ultimately agreed that the Council should endorse an ongoing provision of liners without an initial trial.

• Members debated whether the policy should require all food waste placed into the kerbside caddy to be bagged; some members supported a mandatory requirement, while others favoured encouragement rather than compulsion due to enforcement practicality.

• Some members suggested that the availability of 180L bins would be more appropriate for some households which may also reduce the need for some assisted collections.

 3.3 Bank Holiday collections and collection days

• Members noted the proposal to collect on Bank Holidays, with exceptions over the Christmas period (Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day) and sought assurance regarding staff consultation and remuneration for Bank Holiday and Saturday working, and the need for clear resident communications.

3.4 Properties exempt from bin collections

• Members discussed the circumstances under which properties may be exempt from wheeled bins, such as taking bins through a room, insufficient storage space, or where bins would be stored on the highway. 
  • The Assistant Director emphasised that exemptions would not be a matter of choice; residents would be required to accept the most suitable alternative arrangement offered by the Council. Where sacks were provided, these would be issued to match the capacity of the equivalent bin provision, ensuring fairness and supporting the Council’s aim to reduce waste.

• Members queried how the Council would ensure that waste was reduced rather than simply compacted, noting concerns that limiting capacity might  ...  view the full minutes text for item 62