Agenda item

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Franco Murphy, the Operations Director from Serco Waste gave a presentation to the Panel, a copy which is attached.

The Chair thanked Officers for the presentation and invited comments and questions from the Panel.

Councillor Heneghan, Long, Devulapalli and Kemp thanked the Serco Team along with the Waste and Recycling Manager for all their hard work specifically during the recent bad weather.

Councillor Heneghan questioned if there were any targets for recycling and sought further clarification on issues Serco were having with recruitment and a male dominated workforce.

Franco Murphy, the Operations Director from Serco Waste explained Serco had tried to recruit females however been unsuccessful but provided assurance Serco had a Women in Waste Project which encouraged females to join their workforce.

Councillor Long commented on the progress of the contract with Serco since it had started and praised the Waste and Recycling Manager. He commented following Local Government Reorganisation the contract needed to be fought for to be kept.

In response to a question from the Chair, Councillor Collop on garden waste bins, the Waste and Recycling Manager clarified that the number of subscribers remains stable at around 29,800, with only a slight decrease over the winter. Franco Murphy, the Operations Director from Serco Waste added there was a reduction in tonnage in 2025 due to the dry summer.

In response to a question from Councillor Sandell under Standing Order 34, the Waste and Recycling Manager explained Serco doesn’t provide the service to the Borough Council for deceased animal collection as the Open Spaces team within the Borough Council collect deceased animals on the roadside but there was a separate contract for the disposal of the animals.

Franco Murphy, the Operations Director from Serco Waste explained the improvement plan in further detail in response to Councillor Devulapalli questions under Standing Order 34. He outlined Serco was reserved on the use of electric vehicles due to long journeys in rural areas. He referred to reductions in mileage and fuel usage.

Under Standing Order 34, Councillor Kemp welcomed the focus on health and wellbeing of Serco employees. She commented on the work Norfolk County Council were doing on lithium batteries not being put in the bin and questioned if the vehicles had messaging on for batteries to inform residents.

The Waste and Recycling Manager explained there was recycling messaging to inform residents. He reminded the Panel, Serco collects electrical items and batteries by residents putting them out separately to their bins. He confirmed this was communicated through social media. Franco Murphy, the Operations Director from Serco Waste confirmed they had their own messaging and communications.

Under Standing Order 34, Councillor Moore commented messaging would be more appropriate on resident’s bins rather than Serco lorries.

The Waste and Recycling Manager confirmed messaging on lithium batteries could be included on the bin calendar which went out to all residents.

The Portfolio Holder, Councillor Squire thanked the Waste and Recycling Manager along with Franco Murphy, the Operations Director from Serco Waste and both their teams for performing above and beyond. She reminded Members the increase in cost of the bins was voted and agreed on by full Council and explained each collection calculated to approximately £3. She commented she was in conversations with surrounding Council’s on a campaign on lithium batteries.

Councillor Long commented due to the increase in cost of garden waste bin, was the option to pay by direct debit and included with residents Council Tax Bill able to be offered to help residents struggling to pay and make the bins more affordable.

Under Standing Order 34, Councillor Devulapalli highlighted her concerns in where the recycling ends up and questioned if the Council was re-recycling our own waste.

The Waste and Recycling Manager confirmed there was traceability and the waste remained in the UK except cardboard and paper and this went to other countries which manufactured goods needing packaging.  He confirmed it was not commercially effective for the Council to re-recycle.

The Portfolio Holder, Councillor Squire in response to Councillor Long’s comment confirmed paying for the garden waste bins by direct debit was being considered.

RESOLVED: The Panel noted the update.