Update from your Vale of Glamorgan Councilor – Russell Godfrey
Update from your Vale of Glamorgan Councilor
Since my last update, The Leader of the Vale of Glamorgan, has emailed me, to confirm that she refuses to comment on the email I sent with regards to proposed changes to Black Bag and Green waste collections.
But surprise surprise a week later, I received the email below from the Cabinet Member responsible for this area.
“Dear Councillors
Next week we will be launching the details of the green waste subscription service that will be introduced from July 2023. You may recall that The Report (Cabinet 19th January 2023 – Recycling and Waste Management Service Changes), set the charges at a discounted rate of £20 for the standard service, and £30 for the enhanced service, for this year only, as we are already part way through the year. This was based on an actual cost of £36 and £54, respectively.
The Report stated that the £20 service was for up to 4 bags and the £30 service for up to 8 bags, with an option to add other bags as frequently as required at a charge of 50p per bag per occasion. However, in development of the system, there appears to be too many points of failure relating to the software, the logistics of time between bookings and potential delays to the collection rounds as our teams will need to assess too many variables, in every subscribing street, as well as the need to count bags. Therefore, there will be two variations that aim to improve the service to our residents prior to the launch.
The first is a capacity change. This is aimed to reduce the burden on residents having to ring up every time they have more than 8 bags, as well as addressing the potential points of failures highlighted, and to recognise the requirements of those properties that produce large quantities of green waste. Therefore, the standard service will now be £20 for up to 8 bags and the enhanced service £30 for above 8-bags (effectively unlimited). This enhancement will prevent the need for one-off services, in its entirety. An emergency powers (EP) form has been approved to reflect this.
Once we get to the end of the summer, we will reflect on the first season and consider any further changes based on lessons learnt which will be subject to a further report prior to the 2024/2025 subscription year.
Lastly, as we are also launching the 3-weekly black bag service in July 2023, we will introduce the green waste subscription service two weeks later (17th July 2023), so that the collection teams have an opportunity to stagger the service changes and address any teething problems. This will also ensure that our residents have an opportunity to graduate through the changes and allow the additional C1V staff brought in for this service change more time to focus on one service at a time. So you are aware, there will be a dedicated phone line set up just for this service change and it will be provided to residents on their communication letter.
I will ask the Operational Manager for Waste Management and Cleansing to provide you with an advance copy of the letter that will be sent out to our residents confirming the new arrangements (around mid-June) next week, as well as the links to the subscription payment page and any other associated documents.
I trust news of the decision to enhance the service offered to residents is reassuring, and please let me know if you require any further information.”
I am in the process of organising a petition with regards to these changes, I will update you further, in the near future.
I will be organising a litter pick across the Wenvoe community on the week commencing 10th July. I will deliver pickers and bags, full bags will then be collected from your address and I will collect pickers at the end of the week. You can choose to litter pick on your own or in a group. If interested please text or email me at 07724827496 or Email- info@russellgodfrey.co.Uk
If you have any issues/suggestions please do not hesitate to contact me or pop along to one of my monthly surgeries.The third Saturday of every month at the Community centre between 10 & 11 am
Email: regodfrey@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk or Tel: 07927 588924 Russell