The Environmental Services and Regulation Policy Committee met to discuss a range of issues, including budget monitoring, food hygiene standards, winter maintenance, waste and recycling services, and performance monitoring. The committee approved changes to waste and recycling services, reviewed the winter maintenance strategy, and endorsed a plan to improve electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

Here's a more detailed look at the key topics discussed:

Changes to Waste and Recycling Services

The committee approved changes to Sheffield's waste management policies to comply with the Environment Act 2021, which mandates the collection of additional materials for recycling, including plastic pots, tubs and trays, aerosols, foil, and cartons by 31 March 2026, and plastic films by 31 March 2027. To facilitate this, the additional materials will be added to the existing brown bin collection. The committee also agreed to address the lack of paper and card collection capacity by replacing the existing 140-litre blue bin with a larger 240-litre bin.

Other key aspects of the approved changes include:

• Larger blue bins: All households will receive a 240-litre blue bin for paper and card recycling.
• Additional capacity for larger households: Large households (6 or more permanent residents) can request an additional brown and/or blue bin free of charge.
• Phased implementation: The changes will be implemented in phases, with the addition of new materials to the brown bin by March 2026, followed by the blue bin exchange during 2026/27.
• Communications campaign: A comprehensive communications campaign will be launched to inform residents about the changes.

The decision was informed by a public consultation, with the results of the Public Consultation and Stakeholder Engagement showing support for the proposed changes. The Appendix 5 - consultation responses indicated that 62% of respondents supported replacing the 140-litre blue bin with a larger 240-litre bin.

The committee delegated responsibility to the Director for Streetscene and Regulation to negotiate the necessary changes within the Integrated Waste Management Contract with Veolia and agreed to utilise burden funding provided under the Extended Producer Responsibility for Packaging Regulations to deliver the proposed changes.

Streets Ahead Winter Maintenance Review

The committee discussed the Streets Ahead Winter Maintenance Review 2024/25, prompted by a significant snow and freezing weather event in January 2025. The review led to a 13-point plan with the following key actions:

• Revised Priority 1 Precautionary Treatment Network inclusion criteria: To support bus service continuity in heavy snow and ice events.
• Upgrade of all weather forecasting stations: To allow the council to record and forecast weather data from five climactic domains instead of the existing two.
• Revised Grit Bin Provision Criteria: To ensure fairer distribution of grit bins around the city.
• Relocation of up to 10% of current grit bins: Under the new criteria.
• Comprehensive winter maintenance communications plan: To educate residents on appropriate salt usage and dispel myths about clearing snow.
• Trial of pedestrian gritting machines: To deliver precautionary and reactive gritting treatments on footways and pedestrian areas.

The committee agreed to fund a trial of one gritting machine for the 2025/26 winter season, using funds from contractual cost savings achieved through a previous committee decision.

Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure

The committee endorsed a proposal to allocate up to £125,000 of surplus parking revenue from the cessation of the Green Parking Scheme to support improvements in Sheffield City Council's Electric Vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure. The funding will be used to improve the availability, accessibility, and reliability of the public charger network. The committee delegated to the Executive Director of Neighbourhood Services, in consultation with the Task and Finish Group, approval of the final spend on costed options developed for inclusion in the Investment Plan.

Q1 Budget Monitoring

The committee reviewed the Q1 Budget Monitoring Report for 2025-26, noting a projected overspend of £28.2 million. Key areas of budget pressure include Adult Social Care, Children's Services, and Homelessness services. The report outlined targeted actions and work underway to bring the in-year forecast overspend down.

Sheffield Food Hygiene and Standards Service Plan 2025/26

The committee approved the Sheffield Food Hygiene and Standards Service Plan 2025/26, noting the successful reduction in the hygiene and allergen inspection backlog. The plan sets out the council's approach to delivering its statutory obligations for food hygiene and standards, including a risk-based food programme. The committee acknowledged that resource within the Standards team cannot complete the FSA food standards programme, but a risk-based approach is being taken, and efforts are being made to increase capacity in this team.

Work Programme

The committee agreed to the ESR Work Programme September 25, including additions and amendments identified in the report. The work programme details all known, substantive agenda items for forthcoming meetings of the committee.

2025/26 The Year Ahead Report

The committee considered the 2025/26 The Year Ahead Report, which sets out the committee's 12-month plan and links to service plans. The report outlined achievements made in 2024/25 and the forward agenda for the committee in 2025/26, aligning with the Council Plan.