Once a month collections for green bins over winter approved by Executive Board
Green bin collections are set to drop to once a month over winter as Wrexham Council looks to make savings.
Executive board members unanimously backed proposals this morning to reduce the two weekly garden waste collections to just once a month between December to February.
Currently the local authority collects garden waste / green bins on a fortnightly basis throughout the year.
But speaking at today’s meeting Cllr David Bithell, lead member for environment and transport, said there is evidence to show that there is a drop in the quantity of garden waste collected between the three months listed above.
The meeting was told that on average 250 tonnes per month is collected between December and February, compared to one million
tonnes in October.
Cllr Bithell said: “The proposal is not to stop garden waste collections, but to go monthly. That is to improve the efficiency of the service and add resilience to our winter service team.
“Due to timescales we want to introduce this in the winter. Our communications and strategy team are working with our media team to communicate that to all residents.”
Seconding the report, Cllr Hugh Jones, deputy leader of Wrexham Council, described the proposals as a “sensible adjustment to services” and a “service rationalisation that will save us money”.
The reduction in collections is the second garden waste related change to have been introduced in recent months, with households with more than one green bin paying an annual £30 charge.
A letter will go out to all residents who pay the yearly fee advising them of the changes to waste collection, with Cllr Bithell stating that the additional green bins will also be emptied on a monthly basis.
The once a month collections for green bins will be implemented from December 2018 and will be in place until February 2019. Normal collections will resume in March 2019.
Our live tweets from the meeting earlier that included this agenda item are below in reverse order…
(Bear in mind for all the thanks – last time around the Exec Board was suspended to let everyone calm down. Perhaps someone has had a word?! link )
The meeting wraps up with no AOB. Live tweets end… we are now going to fight our way through the A-Boards in town to locate a bacon bap or other pork based products for a spot of lunch!
Clr Bithell offers thanks to all for a ‘much more pleasant meeting today’ Cllr Graham Rogers calls out ‘makes a change doesnt it’.
Clr Pritchard apologies to Clr Cameron for iPad comment, says was ‘trying to inject a bit of humour’ to proceedings.
Mini beef between Clr Pritchard & Clr Cameron as he was ‘offered an ipad’, points out he has one but does not do social media for his own reasons. Social media feedback was cited as one element for feedback. Clr Cameron: “I did not come here for lectures but answers.”
Clr Cameron asks about feedback from public on the idea, also queries if item and policy change is really urgent. Clr Bithell says the Welsh Gov settlement has brought things forward and thus ‘is urgent’ to make savings.
Clr Terry Evans makes a joke about cardboard (!) Clr Pritchard and other have a chuckle, Clr Pritchard says he is ‘trying to keep a straight face’. Clr Cameron starts his point “It is hard to keep a straight face sometimes…” Not entirely sure he was laughing with them!
Growth Bid item passes – business moves to changes to the winter green bin / garden waste policy change, if hands go up in a tick, this will happen from December: link
Cllr Jones wraps up saying he has “concerns we are putting economic eggs in one big nuclear basket”. Clr Pritchard says Wylfa is nothing to do with Bid, Clr Jones mixed words earlier, and makes a joke Clr Jones had visited a pub ‘to have a pint’ before asking his Q to ‘oohs’.
Clr Marc Jones talks of the ‘standout project’ that is ‘elephant in the room’ – Wylfa Newydd – plans for new nuclear power station. Asks how dependant Bid is on that going ahead, and if does not happen, does the Bid happen.
One Q from Clr Dana Davies about ‘risk’ in the project schedule. Says ideal scenario is projects underwritten by Westminster, rather than possible risk on local authorities. Clr Pritchard says he is ‘relaxed’ as early doors & hopes risk will be with ‘both governments’.
Procedural bit on the Growth Deal bid up next – basically the ‘City Deal’ stuff where billions go elsewhere from Westminster, well North Wales is looking for a huge wodge at next Budget (think 29th Oct?). WCBC looking to give formal support in principle.
Motion to go out to consult passes the Exec Board – expect that out tomorrow – and you only have a few weeks to take part to have your say….!
Council Leader asks opposition group leaders individually by name (Marc Jones/Dana Davies/Alun Jenkins) ‘to go back to your AM’s’, ‘this cant go through unless it has support’ – also asks ‘Austerity has to stop, this is a madness, a merry go round. We have to get off.’
Chief Exec talks around the ‘One Council’ idea, of lobbying as a council and councillors and communicating with the people of Wrexham.
Going by this discussion Wrexham Council’s budget sounds like a disaster movie, but the sequel coming out in 2020-2021 is going to be even more scary.
Chief Exec now talking about ‘media campaign’ to get the consultation out there on ‘what is a hard debate’, ‘none of us come into public service to reduce services’. Thanks Cllrs for a ‘thoughtful’ and ‘considered’ debate this morning, saying that debate ‘creates the context’.
Clr Kelly picking up on some wording issues. Says consultation on whole is ‘tame’, should be bolder. ‘Even if we do all this, it wont be enough’. ‘We are asking public to pay more and more for less and less’. Adds doc ‘not as hard hitting as it needs to be’.
‘Media’ mentioned as being key to help communicate budget stuff with you the public. Since LDR scheme came to Wrexham ( link ) Leader dont come to meetings, or media briefs. Daily Post gave up long time ago. BBC themselves or ITV? Er. LDR meant to be more eyes.
Clr Hugh Jones says its more ‘honest’ to not have a top figure, sees the ‘or more’ as an opportunity for people to say ‘you have not gone far enough’. Adds it cant see council approving a double figure rise.
If you are wondering what the A-Board stuff is about, we went to this meeting and wrote it up here: link
Wide laughter on the A-Board jibe – Clr Pritchard tells Clr Bithell ‘enough of that…’ business moves on more seriously. Cllr Graham Rogers ask ‘what does more mean?’ on the question to public on ‘6% or more’, wants a top end figure inserted into the doc ‘to be fair to public’
Clr Bithell introduces a ‘lighter note’, asking if an A-Board saying ‘lobby your AM for a fairer deal’ in the town centre could be worthwhile. Clr Jenkins tears back to the chair to reply… says “Yes as long as they are standard size and a small charge for a licensing system”
Clr Wynn thanks Clr Jenkins ‘for his honesty’ over having to raise council tax. Notes he ‘challenged’ Cllr Marc Jones (Plaid) & Clr Davies (Lab) to lobby for Welsh Gov for Wrexham, adds he wants Cllr Jenkins (Lib Dems) to lobby too. Clr Jenkins replies ‘we all need to do that’.
Clr Hugh Jones gives details of how WCBC are ‘imaginative’ about consultation including cartoons! Says ‘can take a horse to water but cant make it drink’ – basically onus on public giving a toss and being aware of whats going on (our words!)
Clr Jenkins say ‘the public do not realise what is going on until the bin collection changes’, public only reacts when the cuts hit them. Wants WCBC to explore more ‘imaginative’ ways to engage people in budgets – thinks if people knew, they could be open to more council tax
Clr Jenkins says he hopes ‘we can all knock some sense into the Welsh Assembly’ as the current budget settlement is provisional, not final.
Clr Jenkins says consultation doc is ‘long and discouraging’, that the actual method is not engaging. Adds even 6% council tax rise would still see a substantial gap, notes future £8m gap with nothing planned to pay for it. Implication to go higher than 6% rise now.
Clr Jenkins, Lib Dem, says ‘someone said austerity is over’ but adds people of Wrexham would disagree. Describes the cuts plans as ‘devastating’ and a ‘no win situation whichever way we go’ while being ‘bold and brave’. No mention of Education yet.
‘One Council’ has been a buzzword since the new Chief Exec arrived – usually exchanges between Cllrs Davies / Pritchard are not as affable. Perhaps it is happening?! 🤓
“We have done everything we can, and we are a very run authority. We are at that point now we have to stop some services. I hope people listen to where we are. It is factual” adds Cllr Pritchard.
Clr Pritchards latest twitter surge possibly explained, “I dont get involved with social media and the like but there are alot of untruths out there’, ‘we need to put a correction out’.
Clr Davies speaks about Education budgets, notes Minister is ‘within the coalition’ with Labour, but points towards Kirsty Williams AM being Lib Dem too. Council Leader Pritchard grins.
Clr Pritchard says he is ‘pleased’ representations have been made to Welsh Gov by Wrexham Labour group, ‘It has not gone unnoticed and I would like to thank you for that’. Clr Davies says had 8 meetings with Ministers very recently, notes £30m for Social Care.
*POLITICAL KLAXON* Here it is – Clr Wynn kicks off the politics – says hopes Plaid / Labour Cllrs in room ‘have the ears of Welsh Government’ due to joint budget agreement, to feedback to get more cash for Wrexham ‘to soften the blow’
Clr Lowe say ‘lots out there look at the bottom line and it is council tax’, noting it is made up of several areas. Wants residents to be informed ‘very very clearly’ in the consultation and assuming the bill itself!
Clr Cameron asks if 6% council tax rise figure includes fire service, adds community councils also looking to increase precepts. Clr Hugh Jones says ‘we have no idea’ what Police & Crime Commissioner will set, and Fire & Rescue will ‘make a decision’ and WCBC ‘just collects it’
Clr Pritchard says in terms of cuts ideas ‘we will revisit each department, no stone will be left unturned’. Finance Officer says the bigger impact ones on public are in the consultation, adds unions and staff will also be consulted
Clr Dana Davies starts the questions, including asking for the ‘or more’ on possible 6% council tax rise to be removed and be more precise. Also asks for all proposals not consulted on before, but possibly included in cuts, to be put to the public.
Cllr Hugh Jones presenting the cuts consultation report, blaming Welsh Government for ‘late’ notifications, and thus a 5 week consultation starting tomorrow – and WCBC have altered things to avoid just a 4 week consultation.
Meeting opens – meeting told that Plas Madoc Cllr Paul Blackwell ‘has been involved in a serious car accident’. Council Leader says he, and his family, are in everyones thoughts at this time.
In the Guildhall for a ‘Special’ Exec Board meeting – Revenue Budget consultation likely to be agreed, going by previous years will be some questions raised but countered by ‘you will get to have your day later in the process’ etc etc !
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