To receive a presentation from the Contractor on the Waste Collection, Recycling, Street and Beach Cleaning and Associated Services Contract.

The Senior Operations Project Manager and Senior Business Manager led Members through Biffa’s presentation which provided an update on the Waste Collection, Recycling, Street and Beach Cleaning and Associated Services Contract.  During the presentation the following points were noted:

·       Since September 2019 general complaints (not missed bins) had decreased by 29% and compliments increased by 58% across the Partnership.

·       Based on 300 transactions during a street cleansing survey in Rother all targets had been reached or exceeded for litter, detritus and dog fouling.  During the same period Wealden had failed by 1% on detritus cleansing; monitoring would be ongoing.  The definition of detritus was broken down organic materials and litter was waste products that had been disposed of improperly.  The Committee was reminded that WYG Limited carried out the Partnership’s NI195 street cleansing survey inspections.    

·       Headline / improvement opportunities included: supporting charity events e.g. Big Sleep etc.; cleansing high speed roads; revised clinical waste schedules; upskilling staff and training e.g. apprenticeships, driver accreditation, health and safety, first aid, vehicle maintenance etc.; promoting ‘good news’ stories on social media; compliance regarding risk assessments, traffic management, business continuity and exit plans; and ongoing investment in staffing, protective clothing, occupational health support, welfare facilities and bonus schemes for employees.  Biffa was collaborating with a dedicated Human Resources Business Partner.

·       Health and Safety: Biffa had introduced ‘Near Miss Response Boards’ at the Amberstone, Bellbrook and Bulverhythe depots.  This was top priority for Biffa with the corporate aim of zero accidents.

·       High Speed Roads (A27 and A21): Pre-Xmas Maintenance Survey Plan had been established in consultation with Highways England.

·       Overall collection performance was improving; monitoring would be ongoing:

·       Across the Partnership missed bin collection performance had improved.  In October 2019, the average was 64 out of 100,000 missed bins.

·       Container delivery, exchange, removal and repair had significantly improved.  Biffa was confident that the 10 day delivery target would be reached by January 2020.

·       Ongoing actions supporting the PQIM included all training requirements; reducing the amount of agency staff by offering permanent employment; ongoing investment; operations; correct use of systems e.g. vehicles etc., recruitment analysis; operations e.g. waste management systems and compliance.

·       Improvements and seasonal variations would be established for Bring Sites.

·       Location reviews would be carried out on On-street Containers of Refuse (OSCOR’s) and communal bins to understand current issues experienced.

·       Significant ongoing actions included monitoring the Transformation Plan; collating detailed analysis of the current dataset to support re-routing in 2020; and supporting local community projects within the East Sussex area via the Biffa Awards.

At the conclusion of the presentation, Members had the opportunity to ask questions and the following was noted:

·       Local community litter clearance: concerns were raised that local community groups / residents were litter picking without authorised permission, or using signs or safety equipment, particularly along main high speed roads.  Members were encouraged to advise Parish and Town Councils and local community groups that litter picking should not be undertaken without necessary authorisation or safety equipment.

·       Staffing: assurance was given that Biffa was actively recruiting to fill all vacant positions.

·       Round Changes: implementation of round changes would be delayed until all data had been thoroughly analysed.  Members would be kept abreast of developments.

Biffa was committed to maintaining and improving service performance across the Partnership.

RESOLVED: That the presentation be noted.