Questions
To consider questions (if any) by members of the Council of which the appropriate notice has been given to the Assistant Director (Legal & Democratic)
Decision:
The following people asked questions and the full details can be found in the full minutes
Cllr England to Cllr Barratt
Cllr England to Cllr Banks
Minutes:
Cllr England to Cllr Barratt
The Council's Recycling rates have not been reported since September 2021, so numbers are several months late.
In a Dacorum Press Release, published on September 18, 2018; it says that "Recycling continues to rise in Dacorum with a new verified rate for 2017-2018 of 52.5 per cent, which is up on last year’s 51.2 per cent."
If the trend had been maintained 'up by 1.3%' the figure now could be 57.7%. But it has flattened out at the same level now as 2018.
Both our neighbouring Councils, St Albans and Watford, have progressed dramatically, but it looks as if Dacorum has not matched their ambition.
On its current record, when can we expect the Council to reach 60% re-cycling, a target set in 2014?
Thank you Cllr England for your question.
I can advise you that Dacorum exceeded the average recycling rate as measured across all Hertfordshire authorities over the whole of the 4-year period from 17/18 through to 20/21. Indeed, in the whole of that period Dacorum was consistently the 4th best performing Authority in Hertfordshire as it was again in 21/22 period.
In the 21/22 period 7 out the 10 Hertfordshire authorities saw a reduction in their recycling Rates, including both Three Rivers and St Albans.
Notwithstanding our historic good performance, I can advise that work is in progress that will impact upon recycling rates across the Borough. We are seeking to achieve a minimum recycling rate of 60% by 2030, which is in line with National targets.
Cllr England addressed the PH with a supplementary question asking, when will the PH set a target to achieve the 65% rate, which is the current Herts Waste Partnership target?
Cllr Barrett responded that we are not in a position to give a date for 65%, but our aim is to achieve 60% and will then move on from there.
Cllr England noted that the PH has repeated that neighbouring authorities are not doing as well as we are. Does he have an understanding of how Lib Deb Three Rivers is already achieving 60%.
Cllr Barrett advised there are a number of reasons why an area might achieve those figures. He agreed that Three Rivers have a high percentage, but would query, at what cost to other services.
Cllr England asked; “Can we take seriously any of the Conservative targets and can residents afford to wait until May 2023 for a change of Leadership in the area?
Cllr Barrett responded that yes, you can take seriously what the Conservative say.
A point of order was raised that, as in a recent Council meeting, the PH had not answered the question.
The Mayor responded that he did not believe the question was actually supplementary to the main question asked, but I was willing to accept it and similarly the PH’s attempt to answer it.
Cllr England to Cllr Banks
Having regard to the Air Quality Action Plan 2019-2024 and the objectives set therein,
Further to ... view the full minutes text for item 5