Purpose

Review of recycling system collection options,
identification of vehicles for replacement, and plans for
decarbonisation of the waste fleet.

Content

The purpose of the report was to
review the Capital Fleet Replacement Programme, identify the
vehicles for replacement in 2026/27 and agree the
next steps towards the decarbonisation of the waste
services.
 
Councillor Andrea Pellegram,
Cabinet Member for Environment & Regulatory
Services, introduced the report which reviewed the Capital
Fleet Replacement Programme and the vehicles scheduled for
replacement in 2026/27. Extending vehicle life had been considered
in light of finance and LGR, but rejected due to service disruption
and higher maintenance risks. Waste and environment services were
noted as the Council’s largest emissions source, making
decarbonisation critical to the 2030 carbon reduction target. The
updated programme increased forecast capital expenditure by
£0.350m due to the addition of an electric vehicle and early
replacement of a 7.5t refuse collection vehicle, bringing the total
2026/27 estimate to £6.0m. The report also included the
planned use of Hydrotreated Vegetable
Oil to reduce emissions, acknowledging potential increased revenue
costs. The measures were intended to balance operational
reliability, legislative compliance, and climate objectives while
providing a framework to monitor costs and carbon savings
 
The recommendations were proposed by
Councillor Andrea Pellegram and seconded by Councillor Mike
Evemy.
 
Resolved that Cabinet:

1.   
Approved the replacement of vehicles in line with
the updated Capital Fleet Replacement Programme (Paragraph 5.3) up
to a total of thirty-one vehicles.

2.   
Approved steps towards the decarbonisation of waste
services through the purchase of one electric kerbside-sort vehicle
(one of the thirty-one vehicles identified above) and a shift to
using Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO)
as a replacement to diesel.

3.   
Agreed to include the reprofiled capital expenditure for 2026/27 in the
Capital Programme that will be considered by Cabinet and Council in
February 2026.
 
Voting record:
7 For, 0 Against, 0 Abstentions.