Agenda item

To set out the Work Programme of the Policy Development Panel (Report of the Assistant Director - Governance (Monitoring Officer) enclosed)

Consideration was given to the report of the Assistant Director – Governance (Monitoring Officer) which set out the Work Programme of the Policy Development Panel.

• Appendix 1 listed the schedule of meetings for 2026/27 with expected items populated against each meeting; and
• Appendix 2 outlined the task groups of the panel.

The Chairman invited the panel to propose any items that they wished to explore further, including any suggestions for a potential task group for future consideration by the Policy Development Panel.

Members discussed concerns regarding the operation of the Council’s brown bin service, highlighting that:

·         The service was not operating as intended, with no new brown bins having been issued for a significant period despite continued demand from residents;

·         Persistent software and IT issues had been encountered which were preventing residents from checking collection dates online, requesting new bins, or reporting missed collections electronically. These issues were described as having remained unresolved for some time, leading to confusion and frustration for residents.

·         They had particular concern that residents paid an additional charge for the brown bin service and therefore reasonably expected a reliable and responsive service. It was noted that missed brown bin collections were not consistently being rectified promptly, contrary to members’ understanding of the agreed arrangements. The inability to report missed brown bin collections online was also raised as a service failure.

·         There was uncertainty around the policy framework governing the brown bin service. Members were unclear whether a standalone brown bin policy existed or whether the service was covered within a wider waste and recycling policy. It was acknowledged that, without clarity on the policy position, it was difficult to determine whether the operational issues stemmed from failures in delivery or from an outdated or inadequate policy.

·         While the value of dialogue with the Portfolio Holder was recognised, members noted that repeated assurances at Council meetings had not resulted in tangible improvements. Members therefore agreed that a more structured and transparent approach was required.

·         Members agreed that the first step should be to identify and review the relevant policy. Members considered it essential to establish what the service was intended to provide and whether this aligned with current resident expectations before undertaking further scrutiny of operational performance. It was noted that, depending on the outcome of this initial review, further work could include a dedicated task group jointly with the Performance Monitoring Panel.

·         Members requested that the Brown Bin policy (if there was one) be circulated to members via Democratic Services at the earliest opportunity in advance of the next meeting, and that a report come forward to the next meeting with attendance by the PFH and relevant officer.

Members further queried the work programme entry relating to the Derelict and Untidy Sites Task Group and noted a typographical error in the date recorded.

• The Democratic Services Support Officer confirmed that the date would be corrected in the minutes of the next meeting.

Members asked for clarification regarding the work programme entry for Local Government Reorganisation (LGR), including when work would commence and who would be involved.

• The Chairman of the Panel advised that the task group had previously been agreed in principle, that further details including membership would be considered once more information was available, and that updates would be brought forward as the timetable became clearer.

AGREED:

That the Work Programme of the Policy Development Panel be noted.