Agenda and minutes

There were no declarations of personal interest.

RESOLVED that the decision record of the meeting of the Executive Board Member for Environment held on the 10^th May, 2019 be signed as a correct record.

The Executive Board Member considered a report which detailed a proposal to formally stop up a redundant length of public highway adjacent to Ffynnonddrain, Llanllwni by way of Order at Magistrates Court under Section 116 of the Highways Act 1980.

Following an improvement scheme completed circa 1998, which was implemented to improve the safety of the junction onto the A485 at Abergiar, it was reported that the new road layout had left a section of redundant highway adjacent to a property known as Ffynnonddrain. 

The Executive Board Member noted that the area of land concerned had been deemed to have no highway utility and therefore, should the stopping up Order be successful, the land would revert to the Ffynnonddrain, the adjoining landowner for Land Registry registration.

In addition, it was reported that the costs associated with the stopping up order would be borne by the Council in order to regularise the current situation.

RESOLVED to approve the stopping up order as detailed within the report and instruct the Head of Administration and Law to process the stopping up of the area of public highway under Section 116, Highways Act, 1980.

The Executive Board Member considered a report which following receipt of a formal Definitive Map Modification Order (DMMO) application in July 2018, to register a previously unrecorded Public Right of Way, sought approval to make a Definitive Map and Statement of Public Rights of Way for Carmarthenshire near Llwynteg, in the Community of Llannon, under section 53 and schedule 14 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981).

The Executive Board Member noted the objections received and supporting statements which were appended to the report.

It was reported that the available evidence had been reviewed in respect of the application and met the legal tests set out in section 53 (3) (c) (i) of the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981) namely, that a right of way not shown on the Definitive Map and Statement subsists or is reasonably alleged to subsist.

In addition, it was highlighted that should the Order be approved, it would be made and published for 42 days as required by the 1981 Act.  The publication of the Order would provide an opportunity for further submissions to the Authority providing evidence in support or opposition to the existence of a bridleway.

RESOLVED to approve the application and make a Definitive Map Modification Order with the purpose of adding an unrecorded Public Right of Way (bridleway) at Llwynteg, Llanllwni to the Definitive Map and Statement for Carmarthenshire.

The Executive Board Member considered a report which presented a way forward to increase Carmarthenshire’s recycling performance through the provision of Food Waste Caddy Liners to all Households.

The report explained that the provision of free food waste caddy liners to all households would further support the transition of food waste from the black-bag into the food waste recycling scheme which in turn would:-

·        increase participation in the food waste recycling scheme

·         increase the overall recycling performance of the Council

·         reduce waste to landfill and Energy from Waste and treatment costs

·         avoid potential fines for missing recycling targets

·         Improve the operational services collection of food waste.

It was reported that from an analysis of black bags it had been observed that 25.8% of the black bag content in Carmarthenshire was food waste and at present Carmarthenshire was the only Authority in Wales not to provide food waste liners to residents.

Furthermore, Waste Services were experiencing food pod and panier mechanical faults leading to vehicle breakdowns as result of a build-up of food in the lifting mechanism from over-spilled food stored loose within the food caddies. Information from other Authorities suggested that the containment of food in liners significantly reduced this issue, improving the efficiency of the collection and reduction in vehicle breakdowns.

The Executive Board Member noted that the estimated costs of supplying food waste liners to all households would be approximately £215,000 which was dependent upon a procurement process and would be funded from within departmental resources.  In addition, a marginal increase in container delivery costs may be experienced due to the increased time in delivery for two separate containers. However, delivery costs would be already be incurred through the delivery of the blue recycling bags to households.

In order to support the transition of food waste from the black-bag into the food waste recycling scheme and increase the overall recycling performance, it was proposed to deliver food waste liners to all householders at the same time as the blue recycling bag delivery programme. 

RESOLVED to approve the provision of Food Waste Caddy Liners to all households in Carmarthenshire and to be delivered alongside the annual blue bag recycling delivery programme.

The Executive Board Member considered a report which proposed changes to the Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC) policy in regard to expanding vehicle entry classification, enhancing on the range of vehicles and trailers that can access without or including permit requirements.

The report outlined that following the implementation of the current HWRC policy and following public representation, it was necessary for changes to be made to ensure that Carmarthenshire residents were able to fully utilise the sites to dispose of their domestic waste. 

The Executive Board Member noted the changes outlined in the report and exhibited in the amended ‘Vehicle guidance for access to recycling centres’ appended to the report at Appendix 1. 

It was reported that the changes would result in an increased ability for residents to enter sites to dispose of their household waste, such as garden waste and bulky household items.  Furthermore, the amendments allowed a greater range of vehicles and increased the scope to use trailers for transportation which could contribute further to the domestic recyclable material that enter into the HWRC and could assist the Authority in reaching this year’s (2019-2020) statutory recycling target of 64% as set by Welsh Government.

RESOLVED that the amendments to the type of motor vehicles and trailer classifications as per Appendix 1 for entry into the four HWRC sites be approved.