The Biffa annual performance report was
introduced by Leader of the Council, Councillor Emily Smith.
Also present was Liz Hayden, Head of Service
Housing and Environment, Ian Matten, Environmental services
manager, and Biffa representatives Francis Drew and Andrew
Dutton.
It was recommended that scrutiny committee
considers Biffa Municipal Ltd (Biffa) performance in delivering the
household waste collection, street cleansing and ancillary services
contract for the period 1 January 2019 to 31 December 2019 and
makes any comments before a final assessment on performance is
made.
The service contributes to Vale’s
Corporate Plan (2016 – 2020) of running an efficient council
and continue to improve our environment and South’s Corporate
Plan (2016 – 2020) of delivering services that reflect
residents needs and build thriving communities by making
communities clean and safe.
Key performance targets (KPT) for 2019 have
exceeded those of 2018, with a rating of ‘good’ across
the board, from the previous ‘fair’ rating.
Chair reminded the committee that the report
is pre-Covid-19 so no questions are needed on this.
Questions on the report were raised, as
follows:
- It was confirmed that there are
still 6 Waste Electronic and Electrical Equipment (WEEE) bring
banks
- The committee asked about whether
there needs to be a longer window for reporting missed collections.
This may be a contractual issue that would need to be discussed
with Biffa.
- Discussed whether food bins are
missed because they are very small and aren’t seen.
- It was confirmed that the
improvements in rectifying missed collections were caused by
getting back to the route ASAP and a shift in staff focus.
- Can we change the measurement to
total amount of waste, not a percentage? This may be contractual an
would need to be discussed, and the contract end is 2024.
- Ideas – zero waste shops,
reduce recycling amounts.
- Committee discussed plastic
contaminants – painted plastic, e.g., crisp bags. It was
confirmed that the recycling plant in Edmonton cannot recycle 8%.
Milk containers are already recycled material. Biffa to query
painted plastics.
- Councillors asked about higher
household numbers and lower recruitment levels. Biffa
representative confirmed that they are trying to recruit directly
which is positive, there are issues regarding the UK leaving the
EU, the government points system and now the Covid-19
pandemic.
- KPT5 – incomplete rounds
– can rounds be reviewed? which houses are affected by
incomplete rounds? Biffa representative did confirm that the South
and Vale rounds are two distinct rounds because the waste tonnages
are reported per district, which is why the rounds are carried out
as they are. Officers noted as part of
the pending round review we may be able to make an exception for
areas where district boundaries cross, like on Great Western Park,
Didcot.
- Customer satisfaction survey –
This information is collected corporately every two years.
Corporate strategy are reviewing the process going forward for
public consultation / satisfaction survey.
- It was confirmed that a formal stage
1 is an escalated complaint through the Council complaints
system.
- Councillor request to refer to
properties as “homes” instead?
Biffa and officers were thanked for their
positive results and work.
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