U Turn Success! And the Hunt for the Mythical Pilot.

As of the beginning of November, Newham has begun to charge for the collection of bulky waste. The free collection policy lasted all of 18 months. Hardly a ringing endorsement in the quality of policy making. Then we discover that it was a pilot scheme, just a trial period. Oh yeah? 

This is what they said.

Motion 1- Free Bulky Waste Collection. Passed by Full Council Monday 29th October 2018

“Council notes that there have been major concerns from residents regarding the scale of fly-tipping in Newham. Council further notes that other local authorities who have removed bulky waste collection charges have subsequently observed a significant decrease in fly-tipping.

 “This Council therefore resolves to remove the £20 bulky waste collection charge and instead introduce three free collections (of up to six items) for Newham households each year.

“Council calls upon the Executive to implement this motion.

“Proposed: Mariam Dawood

Seconded: Salim Patel”

No Mention here of Trial Period. Nor any mention in the Press Release. 

Nor did the thought seem to have made its way into the Budget Framework document which went to Cabinet two months later, (Appendix C. Dec. 2018). Just a recognition or estimate that it would cost £390,000 more per year to administer, as events have proved, something of an underestimate.

1.7 Removal of Bulky Waste Charge.

At Full council on the 29th October 2018, a motion was passed to reintroduce free bulky waste collections. 

The motion was then quoted (as above). It went on, “If up to 3 free collections per year per household were introduced the estimated additional cost for collections is £85,000 and for disposal approximately £45,000 per annum. An income of £260,000 per annum would be lost.”

Again, no mention anywhere of the ‘pilot’ nature of the scheme.

Just a thought….maybe you should test the costs and the implications before you start off on a new policy. And if it is a pilot, 

(a) let your colleagues know, and 

(b) publish the criteria by which it will be judged to have succeeded or failed. Something an ‘open’ and ‘transparent’ administration might do.