Decisions

Purpose of Report

To seek Executive’s approval to undertake a Warm Homes project to deliver low carbon heating and insulation works to properties within the housing stock that had an SAP (Standard Assessment Procedure) rating of Band D or below.

Decision

That the inclusion of a budget allocation of £4,591,385 in the Housing Investment Programme, as set out in section 6.1 of the report, to enable delivery of low carbon heating and insulation works to 200 properties to improve the SAP rating to band C or above be approved.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

Due to over-subscription, the co-funded grant from WHSHF to the Council was reduced to 140 properties (69%). An option was considered to only improve those 140 homes with the reduced grant, but in doing this, the target of 200 homes would not be met.

Reasons for the Decision

The Government set a 2030 target for social landlords to ensure all properties had an SAP rating of band C or above, which the Council committed to in its 30-Year Business Plan.

The Council also committed to improve the environmental performance of its homes whilst planned improvement works were delivered, which included works to retrofit properties during the next five years (2024-2029).

Maintaining the full scope of the project would help to meet these targets as well as improving energy efficiency, and the health, wellbeing and comfort of Council tenants in those homes.

To propose that this parcel of land is disposed of, by way of sale.

To decide if to implement, in part or in full, a separate paper and card collection scheme. Also, if so, when to do this.

Purpose of Report

To make Executive aware of both the request by Lincolnshire County Council for the City Council to adopt separate paper and card recycling, in full or part, and the recent Government mandate under its ‘Simpler Recycling’ initiative to collect paper and card separately as a statutory requirement.

Decision

·         That installing separate paper and card collections in the city be delayed until such point as it is viable to devote resources to further detailed consideration, based on a revised TEEP (Technical Economic Environmental and Practical) reasons assessment, and that a review be undertaken in 2027 if it has not been possible to progress this before that time.

·         That engagement with Lincolnshire County Council to develop an education and enforcement campaign in support of lowering contamination and improving recycling rates be approved.

·         That the Portfolio Holder for Remarkable Place undertake review work to look into the risks that side waste is causing contamination, and any recommendation to withdraw that service be brought back to the Executive.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

The following alternative options were considered:

1.    To introduce paper and card recycling only at properties with 240L wheeled bins, which was approximately two thirds of the city. Whilst it was recognised that residents with 240L bins were issued them due to having more space at their property, having an additional bin for paper and card would undoubtedly still lead to more bins left on streets, not least as food waste caddies had yet to be introduced.

2.    To introduce paper and card recycling in all areas except those without wheeled bins (eg bag collections, or communal bins). As with the reason stated above, this would affect properties with less space and would also lead to greater numbers of bins left on streets, not least as food waste caddies had yet to be introduced.

Reasons for the Decision

An assessment based on TEEP had been undertaken to assess the viability of establishing separate paper and card recycling. This had resulted in a recommendation to delay consideration of implementing the scheme until 2027 based on the below factors:

1.    Set up costs including the costs of additional bins was high.

2.    Many properties in Lincoln would struggle to accommodate an extra bin.

3.    Food waste collections would begin in April 2026 adding more change and extra caddies on streets.

4.    It was expected the Extended Producer Responsibility regulations would see a reduction in paper and card packaging in the waste stream which may call into question whether there would be sufficient paper and card to warrant an additional bin in the longer term.

5.    Extra staff resources, not only for collections, but also enforcement would be required.

6.    A strict timetable of Community Services contracts re-letting for waste, cleansing and ground maintenance (some of the largest in the Council) were being observed with a commencement date of September 2026. This added a significant work pressure.