Issue - meetings

To consider and agree the acceptance of first stage capital funding provided by Defra for the implementation of weekly domestic food waste collections from March 2026.

Members considered the Acceptance of Capital Funding for the Provision of Domestic Food Waste Services report presented by Councillor Murphy.

Councillor Murphy referred to the £826,815 grant funding available from Defra for weekly food waste services being rolled out nationally by Government from March 2026 and said this was not sufficient to the Council’s requirements. To deliver this additional service, small food waste bins will be required along with extra vehicles to collect them. Approximately 48,000 internal food waste caddies, 49,000 external caddies and 300 communal bins will also be needed.

Councillor Murphy said the Council needs to accept the amount offered whilst commencing an appeals process for further capital funding to cover the deficit that will occur in the roll-out, which will be an addition to the existing high standard refuse service. Councillor Murphy further stated that all the equipment required will be purchased simultaneously by all RECAP partners to take advantage of the benefits of bulk buying.

Members made comments, asked questions, and received responses as follows:

·         Councillor Boden said that this is a new statutory responsibility and to receive any capital funding, the Council is obliged to respond positively to the figure offered by 1^st March, even though the amount of money is not sufficient. However, he understands that Government has withdrawn the suggested amount, accepting that a different figure may be appropriate even though there is no guarantee any additional money will be received. Collecting authorities nationwide are saying the amount of capital offered is insufficient to fulfil this new legal obligation. This is something FDC will be following up vigorously but at this stage, to receive any money at all, there is no choice but to accept the offer made but it does not commit the Council to only accepting that amount.

·         Councillor Mrs French commented that this was discussed on Politics East yesterday with the Leader of South Norfolk saying the money offered would not be enough and he was talking in the region of millions of pounds being needed. She said this Council needs to be very careful not to be hit with something that is going to cost a fortune. Councillor Boden said unfortunately there is no choice but to go ahead with it and accept the money; it is a matter of negotiating to ensure the Council is fully funded for the capital and revenue changes that are going to take place.

·         Councillor Hoy said she understands that the Council must accept this money and supports it but there needs to be very strong representations made to Government about this. She believes that it will be a very unpopular policy and, having seen it happen in other areas, can envisage small bins being blown around the streets in high winds, leading to rubbish being strewn about with all the potential problems that will cause, including rats. The public will be unhappy, and they will blame FDC, whose waste service is exemplary. She expressed her fear that the Government will potentially  ...  view the full minutes text for item 61