The South Yorkshire Waste Partnership Board met to discuss the South Yorkshire Municipal Waste Strategy, updates from each borough, and the date of the next meeting. The board agreed that the new frequency of meetings was more effective. They were also happy with the waste strategy, pending further political discussion and input.

South Yorkshire Municipal Waste Strategy

The board considered the South Yorkshire Municipal Waste Strategy (SYMWS), which had been circulated as part of the agenda pack¹. The BDR Manager, whose name was not provided in the supplied documents, gave a brief overview of the SYMWS.

Councillor James Higginbottom, Chair of the meeting, thanked the BDR Manager for their work on the waste strategy. Sam Barstow said that they had discussed the strategy with Councillor Lynda Marshall, Cabinet Member for Street Scene and Green Spaces, and that the current version was more helpful in supporting the council's objectives. They added that Rotherham MBC would need to have further internal political discussions to confirm if it aligns to RMBC's ambitions, and report back before the next meeting, before it is taken through the relevant cabinet processes for adoption.

Councillor Joe Otten was happy in principle to work with the other councils, and saw the upcoming changes with waste collections as an opportunity to mark that occasion with a statement or vision of how this might be done across South Yorkshire, for example with plastics and tetra paks.

Councillor James Higginbottom said that the approach set out is the correct one for high-level strategic alignment, without tying individual councils to specifics actions that may not align fully or be contradictory to strategic aims. He said that the document enables the councils to align and retain principles of waste management that should complement council policies at a local level. He added that, following further internal political discussions, the next step would be to take this back through each council's approval processes for feedback and direction that allows all to have input and sign up to the strategy.

The board agreed with the strategy, which will require further political discussion and input to then allow all to align. The BDR Manager will then update the draft for all to agree, which will then be taken to the Steering Committee and then through the council approvals process.

The report pack includes an introduction to the strategy, which states that creating a SYMWS is essential for the councils to effectively manage waste and promote sustainability within their communities. It lists the key advantages of the strategy as:

• Environmental Protection
• Compliance with Legislation
• Resource Efficiency
• Cost Savings
• Community Engagement
• Strategic Planning
• Economic Benefits

The report pack also summarises current and future waste legislation and requirements, including:

• The Environment Act 2021²
• Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)³
• Deposit Return Scheme (DRS)⁴
• Simpler Recycling⁵
• Waste Incineration and the Emissions Trading Scheme from 2028

The report pack also lists the aims, needs and desires of each of the four councils, and how the strategy will support their existing plans. It concludes by listing the challenges, opportunities and risks associated with the strategy.

Portfolio Updates

• Barnsley MBC: Councillor James Higginbottom said that Barnsley MBC continued to embed quality and safety standards for workforce and residents, and that good progress has been made. He added that, recently through EPR, the council removed the charge for replacements for brown and blue bins to improve recycling rates, which ties into the £3m investment put into the service.
• City of Doncaster Council: Kellie Hopkins said that the service has been fairly steady. In April 2025, they rolled out a collection service to include pots, tubs and trays, which has been well received locally. They don't yet know the impact on recycling rates, but should know by next quarter. They have also agreed 2-year extensions with Suez, so will be starting work on a contract procurement exercise ready for 2028.
• Rotherham MBC: Sam Barstow gave four key updates: all new vehicles have been delivered, and Councillor Lynda Marshall visited the factory in Worksop. They are continuing their route optimisation and delivering these in the coming months. Work on in-sourcing HWRC's by 2027 has begun. A report has been taken to cabinet regarding changes to waste collection policies regarding contamination, based on CoDC's campaign.
• Sheffield City Council: Neil Townrow said that there have been ongoing strikes since August 2024, due to an inter-union dispute with Veolia, who have a longstanding agreement with GMB. Bring sites remain closed, and there was some disruption to service initially at the start of strikes, but they are now on schedule with weekend working and overtime. In April Unite had mass protests at site, Veolia went to Court on Friday and have taken an injunction against Unite demonstrators, which Unite have taken to arbitration but has no case to answer. More dialogue is taking place between Veolia and the unions. They are going to their committee in September to approve new changes to introduce pots, tubs and trays and aerosols into the brown bin and looking to address the lack of capacity for paper/card bin. They have the first underground bin systems set up and are sorting out the collection vehicles for this. Sheffield City Council has not had input into the waste strategy so far, but will provide drafting of wording to the BDR Manager to include.

Meeting Frequency

The board agreed that the new frequency of meetings is a more effective and efficient method of working. The South Yorkshire Joint Waste Board meetings now take place three times a year, and in the afternoons to meet needs of participants.

Date of Next Meeting

The next meeting will be held on 3 February 2026 at 1.30pm in Rotherham Town Hall.