Agenda item

Note:

Under the Council’s constitution, 30 minutes are available for the consideration of motions. In practice, this realistically means that there is usually only time for one, or possibly two motions to be considered.

 

With the agreement of the Lord Mayor, motion 1 below will be considered at this meeting, and motion 2 is likely to be considered, subject to time.

 

Details of other motions submitted, (which, due to time constraints, are very unlikely to be considered at this meeting) are also set out for information.

 

MOTIONS RECEIVED FOR FULL COUNCIL

 

GOLDEN MOTION (LABOUR PARTY): FOUR WEEKLY BIN COLLECTIONS AND CRACKING DOWN ON FLY-TIPPING

 

This council notes:

1. 84% of people think street litter is a problem locally – this increases to 94% of people living in areas of deprivation.
2. Fly-tipping is one of the most commonplace issues residents raise with their local councillors.
3. Fly-tipping causes environmental damage including contaminating ecosystems, polluting waterways, and harming wildlife.
4. Fly-tipping is a public health issue with hazardous substances and objects posing injury and health risks and decomposing waste attracting pests.
5. The fines for fly-tipping were increased to the legal maximum and enforcement cameras were installed at fly-tipping hotspots by the Labour administration. However, more needs to be done.
6. The introduction of measures such as increased fines will act as a significant deterrent.
7. The Green-led administration’s consultation on waste collection closes on 10 March, which includes options for three or four weekly black bin collections.
8. Bristol City Council received an additional £7.467m this year through Extended Producer Responsibility Allowance.
9. Despite this additional funding, the Green led Council’s budget for 2025/26, includes a £500k annual recurring revenue saving in 2025/26 and a further £500k recurring annual revenue saving in 2026/27 by making changes to ‘non-recyclable waste collection’.
10. At the time of submission, over 11,000 people have signed a petition against moving to four-weekly black bin collections, reflecting the strength of feeling across the city.

 

This council believes:

1. The council needs to put residents’ priorities first. Cracking down on fly-tipping is a priority for residents across Bristol, particularly those in deprived communities.
2. The council should take a zero-tolerance approach to fly-tipping.
3. Fly-tipping is one of the most common complaints from residents, the council clearly needs to do more to tackle fly-tipping, both through deterrence and through prompt removal.
4. Considering the additional £7.467m, Bristol City Council is set to receive through the Extended Producer Responsibility Allowance, waste services should continue to be invested in.
5. Improving recycling rates needs to happen without ‘putting the cart before the horse’. Soft plastic recycling, exploring mixed recycling, nappy recycling, larger recycling bins, are all ways this can be achieved.
6. Petitions are a valid way for residents to raise concerns about issues, and should not be dismissed out of hand.
7. That proceeding with budget cuts to “non-recyclable waste collection” whilst a consultation is live on waste and recycling, could be viewed as pre-determining the outcome.

 

Full Council resolves to endorse and refer the following points to the Environment and Sustainability Committee:

1. Continue to invest General Fund Capital Funding, into more enforcement cameras to deter fly-tipping in known hotspots.
2. Investigate ways to improve reporting processes for fly-tipping.
3. Review the operations centre for the monitoring of such cameras.
4. Extend the guarantee of fly-tipping removal on public land to council-owned land, such as that owned by the Housing Revenue Account, and unadopted land.
5. Aim to change the 72 hours guarantee for fly-tipping removal to 48 hours within a year of passing this motion, and report back on progress as necessary.
6. Look to provide a discount for bulky waste collection fee for those in receipt of Pension Credit, Universal Credit, Local Housing Allowance, Council Tax Reduction, or the mobility higher rate for Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and Personal Independent Payment (PIP).
7. Look to provide local community groups with a skip once a year, where people can take non-recyclable waste of which they are unable to dispose.
8. Rule out the move to four-weekly black bin collections and explore other measures to improve recycling rates across the city.

 

Motion to be moved by: Cllr Tom Renhard

First submitted: 27^th February 2025

 

--

 

SILVER MOTION (LIBERAL DEMOCRATS) YOUNG CARERS DAY

 

Full Council notes that:

 

1. Carers Trust estimate that there are at least one million young carers aged 17 and under in the UK and over 600,000 young adult carers between the ages of 18 and 25.
2. In Bristol, 493 young carers are formally identified by the Department for Education, but the true number of young carers in our city is likely to be far higher.
3. Young carers miss an average of 23 school days per year and young adult carers are four times more likely to drop out of college or university.
4. Caring responsibilities can affect young carers' readiness to engage fully in school life, adding barriers to punctuality, their capacity to complete homework, and their ability to focus and participate effectively in lessons.

 

Therefore, to mark Young Carers Action Day on 12 March 2025, Full Council recommends that the Children and Young People Committee considers:

 

1. Signing up to the Young Carers Covenant, published by Carers Trust in March 2024.
2. Working alongside all schools and colleges to deliver Young Carer Awareness Training for staff so that they can recognise and address the challenges faced by young carers.
3. Encouraging schools and colleges to provide guidance, assembly plans, and awareness-raising materials about young carers.
4. Forming a young carers’ support system to provide a relief for young carers.

 

Motion to be moved by: Cllr Andrew Brown

First submitted: 27^th February 2025

 

Following a short adjournment, it was then moved by the Lord Mayor that standing order CPR2.1(xi) be suspended to allow the meeting to go past the 30 minutes time limit for motions.  Following a vote it was agreed to proceed for 70 minutes to hear the golden and silver motion.

GOLDEN MOTION (LABOUR PARTY): FOUR WEEKLY BIN COLLECTIONS AND CRACKING DOWN ON FLY-TIPPING

 

Councillor Tom Renhard moved the following motion:

 

This council notes:

1. 84% of people think street litter is a problem locally – this increases to 94% of people living in areas of deprivation.

 

2. Fly-tipping is one of the most commonplace issues residents raise with their local councillors.

 

3. Fly-tipping causes environmental damage including contaminating ecosystems, polluting waterways, and harming wildlife.

 

4. Fly-tipping is a public health issue with hazardous substances and objects posing injury and health risks and decomposing waste attracting pests.

 

5. The fines for fly-tipping were increased to the legal maximum and enforcement cameras were installed at fly-tipping hotspots by the Labour administration. However, more needs to be done.

 

6. The introduction of measures such as increased fines will act as a significant deterrent.

 

7. The Green-led administration’s consultation on waste collection closes on 10 March, which includes options for three or four weekly black bin collections.

 

8. Bristol City Council received an additional £7.467m this year through Extended Producer Responsibility Allowance.

 

9. Despite this additional funding, the Green led Council’s budget for 2025/26, includes a £500k annual recurring revenue saving in 2025/26 and a further £500k recurring annual revenue saving in 2026/27 by making changes to ‘non-recyclable waste collection’.

 

10. At the time of submission, over 11,000 people have signed a petition against moving to four-weekly black bin collections, reflecting the strength of feeling across the city.

 

This council believes:

1. The council needs to put residents’ priorities first. Cracking down on fly-tipping is a priority for residents across Bristol, particularly those in deprived communities.

 

2. The council should take a zero-tolerance approach to fly-tipping.

 

3. Fly-tipping is one of the most common complaints from residents, the council clearly needs to do more to tackle fly-tipping, both through deterrence and through prompt removal.

 

4. Considering the additional £7.467m, Bristol City Council is set to receive through the Extended Producer Responsibility Allowance, waste services should continue to be invested in.

 

5. Improving recycling rates needs to happen without ‘putting the cart before the horse’. Soft plastic recycling, exploring mixed recycling, nappy recycling, larger recycling bins, are all ways this can be achieved.

 

6. Petitions are a valid way for residents to raise concerns about issues, and should not be dismissed out of hand.

 

7. That proceeding with budget cuts to “non-recyclable waste collection” whilst a consultation is live on waste and recycling, could be viewed as pre-determining the outcome.

 

Full Council resolves to endorse and refer the following points to the Environment and Sustainability Committee:

1. Continue to invest General Fund Capital Funding, into more enforcement cameras to deter fly-tipping in known hotspots.

 

2. Investigate ways to improve reporting processes for fly-tipping.

 

3. Review the operations centre for the monitoring of such cameras.

 

4. Extend the guarantee of fly-tipping removal on public land to council-owned land, such as that owned by the Housing Revenue Account, and unadopted land.

 

5. Aim to change the 72 hours guarantee for fly-tipping removal to 48 hours within a year of passing this motion, and report back on progress as necessary.

 

6. Look to provide a discount for bulky waste collection fee for those in receipt of Pension Credit, Universal Credit, Local Housing Allowance, Council Tax Reduction, or the mobility higher rate for Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and Personal Independent Payment (PIP).

 

7. Look to provide local community groups with a skip once a year, where people can take non-recyclable waste of which they are unable to dispose.

 

8. Rule out the move to four-weekly black bin collections and explore other measures to improve recycling rates across the city.

 

The motion was seconded by Councillor Kirsty Tait.

 

Councillor Mark Weston then moved the following amendment:

 

‘That the motion be amended to read as follows:

 

This council notes:

 

1. 84% of people think street litter is a problem locally – this increases to 94% of people living in areas of deprivation.1

 

2. Fly-tipping is one of the most commonplace issues residents raise with their local councillors.

 

3. Fly-tipping causes environmental damage including contaminating ecosystems, polluting waterways, and harming wildlife.

 

4. Fly-tipping is a public health issue with hazardous substances and objects posing injury and health risks and decomposing waste attracting pests.

 

5. The fines for fly-tipping were increased to the legal maximum and enforcement cameras were installed at fly-tipping hotspots by the Labour administration. However, more needs to be done.

 

6. The introduction of measures such as increased fines will act as a significant deterrent.

 

7. The Green-led administration’s consultation on waste collection closes on 10 March, which includes options for three or four weekly black bin collections.

 

8. Bristol City Council received an additional £7.467m this year through Extended Producer Responsibility Allowance.

 

9. Despite this additional funding, the Green led Council’s budget for 2025/26, includes a £500k annual recurring revenue saving in 2025/26 and a further £500k recurring annual revenue saving in 2026/27 by making changes to ‘non-recyclable waste collection’.

 

10. At the time of submission, over 11,000 people have signed a petition against moving to four weekly black bin collections, reflecting the strength of feeling across the city.

 

This council believes:

 

1. The council needs to put residents’ priorities first. Cracking down on fly-tipping is a priority for residents across Bristol, particularly those in deprived communities.

 

2. The council should take a zero-tolerance approach to fly-tipping.

 

3. Fly-tipping is one of the most common complaints from residents, the council clearly needs to do more to tackle fly-tipping, both through deterrence and through prompt removal.

 

4. Considering the additional £7.467m, Bristol City Council is set to receive through the Extended Producer Responsibility Allowance, waste services should continue to be invested in.

 

5. Improving recycling rates needs to happen without ‘putting the cart before the horse’. Soft plastic recycling, exploring mixed recycling, nappy recycling, larger recycling bins, are all ways this can be achieved.

 

6. Petitions are a valid way for residents to raise concerns about issues and should not be dismissed out of hand.

 

7. That proceeding with budget cuts to “non-recyclable waste collection” whilst a consultation is live on waste and recycling, could be viewed as pre-determining the outcome.

 

Full Council resolves to endorse and refer the following points to the Environment and Sustainability Committee:

 

1. Continue to invest General Fund Capital Funding, into more enforcement cameras to deter fly-tipping in known hotspots.

 

2. Investigate ways to improve reporting processes for fly-tipping. 1 Quality of Life Survey, 2024.

 

3. Review the operations centre for the monitoring of such cameras.

 

4. Extend the guarantee of fly-tipping removal on public land to council-owned land, such as that owned by the Housing Revenue Account, and unadopted land.

 

5. Aim to change the 72 hours guarantee for fly-tipping removal to 48 hours within a year of passing this motion, and report back on progress as necessary.

 

6. Look to provide a discount for bulky waste collection fee for those in receipt of Pension Credit, Universal Credit, Local Housing Allowance, Council Tax Reduction, or the mobility higher rate for Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and Personal Independent Payment (PIP).

 

7. Look to provide local community groups with a skip once a year, where people can take nonrecyclable waste of which they are unable to dispose.

 

8. Rule out the move to three or four-weekly black bin collections and explore other measures to improve recycling rates across the city.

 

The amendment was seconded by Councillor Bador Uddin.

 

Following debate, upon being put to the vote, the amendment was REJECTED (26 For, 38 Against, 0 Abstentions)

 

Councillor Martin Fodor then moved the following amendment:

 

‘That the motion be amended to read as follows:

 

This council notes:

 

1. The Bristol Quality of Life Survey found that in 2023, 84% of people thought that ink street litter was a problem locally – this increased to 94% of people living in areas of deprivation.

 

2. Fly-tipping is one of the most commonplace issues residents raise with their local councillors.

 

3. Fly-tipping causes environmental damage including contaminating ecosystems, polluting waterways, and harming wildlife.

 

4. Fly-tipping is a public health issue with hazardous substances and objects posing injury and health risks and decomposing waste attracting pests.

 

5. The fines for fly-tipping were increased to the legal maximum and enforcement cameras were installed at fly-tipping hotspots by the Labour administration.

 

6. The previous Labour administration cut £700k from the street cleansing and fly-tipping budget.

 

7. In the last year four new mobile fly tipping cameras have been funded by the government and are being used to monitor hot spots in various locations where problems are recurring.

 

8. In February 2025, a new integration of FixMyStreet pro has made street cleansing reports easier and more efficient.

 

10. The Green-led administration’s consultation on waste collection and recycling closes on 10 March, which includes gathering public opinion on how the public would feel about moving to three or four weekly black bin collections.

 

11. The aim of this consultation is to improve recycling rates.

 

12. Bristol currently recycles 45% of its waste and this has been falling, and the Government’s ‘Resources and Waste Strategy’ aims for at least 65% of waste to be recycled by 2035.

 

13. Analysis from Bristol Waste shows that over 40% of what’s in Bristol’s black bins can be recycled.

 

14. The move from weekly to fortnightly bin collections has been one of the only significant changes the council has made in the last 20 years that has increased recycling rates.

 

15. Bristol City Council received an additional £7.467m this year through Extended Producer Responsibility Allowance.

 

16. The Government is set to introduce a carbon tax on Bristol’s waste through the emissions trading scheme, which is likely to cost Bristol taxpayers millions if recyclable materials remain in bins for disposal.

 

17. The Green led Council’s budget for 2025/26, includes a £500k annual recurring revenue saving in 2025/26 and a further £500k recurring annual revenue saving in 2026/27 by making changes to ‘non-recyclable waste collection’.

 

18. At the time of submission, over 11,000 people have signed a Labour petition against moving to “monthly”  black bin collections.

 

This council believes:

 

1. The council needs to put residents’ priorities first. Cracking down on fly-tipping is a priority for residents across Bristol, particularly those in deprived communities.

 

2. The council should take a zero-tolerance approach to fly-tipping.

 

3. Fly-tipping is one of the most common complaints from residents, the council clearly needs to do more to tackle fly-tipping, both through deterrence and through prompt removal.

 

4. Considering the additional £7.467m, Bristol City Council is set to receive through the Extended Producer Responsibility Allowance, waste services should continue to be invested in.

 

5. Once the consultation has closed, a Task and Finish group of the Environment and Sustainability committee will look at ways in which recycling rates can be improved across Bristol.

 

6. Petitions are a valid way for residents to raise concerns about issues, and should not be dismissed out of hand.

 

7. However, representatives of this council should encourage residents to engage with public consultations whenever they can, as they are the most appropriate way for their voices to be directly taken into account in the decision making process, including sharing their experiences, rating their preferences and adding their comments and suggestions. 

 

9. The introduction of measures such as increased fines could act as a significant deterrent. (moved from ‘notes’)

 

Full Council resolves to endorse and refer the following points to the Environment and Sustainability Committee:

 

1. Continue to invest General Fund Capital Funding, into more enforcement cameras to deter fly-tipping in known hotspots.

 

2. Continue to investigate ways to improve reporting processes for fly-tipping.

 

3. Review the operations centre for the monitoring of such cameras.

 

4.Ask the Homes and Housing Delivery Committee, as the committee responsible for the HRA, to look at extending fly-tipping removal on public land to include council-owned land, such as that owned by the Housing Revenue Account, and unadopted land.

 

5. Aim to change the 72 hours guarantee for fly-tipping removal back to 48 hours within a year of passing this motion, and report back on progress in restoring the funding for this as necessary.

 

6. Ask the new waste Task and Finish group to look at how the council could provide a discount for bulky waste collection fee for those in receipt of Pension Credit, Universal Credit, Local Housing Allowance, Council Tax Reduction, or the mobility higher rate for Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and Personal Independent Payment (PIP).

 

7. Look into using skips for strategic purposes to avoid fly-tipping.

 

8. Following the strength of feeling expressed on the option of four weekly bin collections, acknowledge that whilst the task and finish group will review all consultation results and make full recommendations, we will rule out moving to four weekly collections at this time.

 

9. Support the Environment and Sustainability Committee to use the results of the consultation to explore other measures to improve recycling rates across the city

 

10. Call on the Government for extra funding to cover the additional burden to council finances from the emissions trading scheme.

 

The amendment was seconded by Councillor Abi Finch.

 

Following debate, upon being put to the vote, the amendment was CARRIED (44 For, 20 Against, 0 Abstentions)

 

There was a debate and upon being put to the vote, the amended motion was CARRIED (64 For, 0 against, 0 abstentions) and it was

 

RESOLVED:

 

This council notes:

 

1. The Bristol Quality of Life Survey found that in 2023, 84% of people thought that ink street litter was a problem locally – this increased to 94% of people living in areas of deprivation.

 

2. Fly-tipping is one of the most commonplace issues residents raise with their local councillors.

 

3. Fly-tipping causes environmental damage including contaminating ecosystems, polluting waterways, and harming wildlife.

 

4. Fly-tipping is a public health issue with hazardous substances and objects posing injury and health risks and decomposing waste attracting pests.

 

5. The fines for fly-tipping were increased to the legal maximum and enforcement cameras were installed at fly-tipping hotspots by the Labour administration.

 

6. The previous Labour administration cut £700k from the street cleansing and fly-tipping budget.

 

7. In the last year four new mobile fly tipping cameras have been funded by the government and are being used to monitor hot spots in various locations where problems are recurring.

 

8. In February 2025, a new integration of FixMyStreet pro has made street cleansing reports easier and more efficient.

 

10. The Green-led administration’s consultation on waste collection and recycling closes on 10 March, which includes gathering public opinion on how the public would feel about moving to three or four weekly black bin collections.

 

11. The aim of this consultation is to improve recycling rates.

 

12. Bristol currently recycles 45% of its waste and this has been falling, and the Government’s ‘Resources and Waste Strategy’ aims for at least 65% of waste to be recycled by 2035.

 

13. Analysis from Bristol Waste shows that over 40% of what’s in Bristol’s black bins can be recycled.

 

14. The move from weekly to fortnightly bin collections has been one of the only significant changes the council has made in the last 20 years that has increased recycling rates.

 

15. Bristol City Council received an additional £7.467m this year through Extended Producer Responsibility Allowance.

 

16. The Government is set to introduce a carbon tax on Bristol’s waste through the emissions trading scheme, which is likely to cost Bristol taxpayers millions if recyclable materials remain in bins for disposal.

 

17. The Green led Council’s budget for 2025/26, includes a £500k annual recurring revenue saving in 2025/26 and a further £500k recurring annual revenue saving in 2026/27 by making changes to ‘non-recyclable waste collection’.

 

18. At the time of submission, over 11,000 people have signed a Labour petition against moving to “monthly”  black bin collections.

 

This council believes:

 

1. The council needs to put residents’ priorities first. Cracking down on fly-tipping is a priority for residents across Bristol, particularly those in deprived communities.

 

2. The council should take a zero-tolerance approach to fly-tipping.

 

3. Fly-tipping is one of the most common complaints from residents, the council clearly needs to do more to tackle fly-tipping, both through deterrence and through prompt removal.

 

4. Considering the additional £7.467m, Bristol City Council is set to receive through the Extended Producer Responsibility Allowance, waste services should continue to be invested in.

 

5. Once the consultation has closed, a Task and Finish group of the Environment and Sustainability committee will look at ways in which recycling rates can be improved across Bristol.

 

6. Petitions are a valid way for residents to raise concerns about issues, and should not be dismissed out of hand.

 

7. However, representatives of this council should encourage residents to engage with public consultations whenever they can, as they are the most appropriate way for their voices to be directly taken into account in the decision making process, including sharing their experiences, rating their preferences and adding their comments and suggestions. 

 

9. The introduction of measures such as increased fines could act as a significant deterrent. (moved from ‘notes’)

 

Full Council resolves to endorse and refer the following points to the Environment and Sustainability Committee:

 

1. Continue to invest General Fund Capital Funding, into more enforcement cameras to deter fly-tipping in known hotspots.

 

2. Continue to investigate ways to improve reporting processes for fly-tipping.

 

3. Review the operations centre for the monitoring of such cameras.

 

4.Ask the Homes and Housing Delivery Committee, as the committee responsible for the HRA, to look at extending fly-tipping removal on public land to include council-owned land, such as that owned by the Housing Revenue Account, and unadopted land.

 

5. Aim to change the 72 hours guarantee for fly-tipping removal back to 48 hours within a year of passing this motion, and report back on progress in restoring the funding for this as necessary.

 

6. Ask the new waste Task and Finish group to look at how the council could provide a discount for bulky waste collection fee for those in receipt of Pension Credit, Universal Credit, Local Housing Allowance, Council Tax Reduction, or the mobility higher rate for Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and Personal Independent Payment (PIP).

 

7. Look into using skips for strategic purposes to avoid fly-tipping.

 

8. Following the strength of feeling expressed on the option of four weekly bin collections, acknowledge that whilst the task and finish group will review all consultation results and make full recommendations, we will rule out moving to four weekly collections at this time.

 

9. Support the Environment and Sustainability Committee to use the results of the consultation to explore other measures to improve recycling rates across the city

 

10. Call on the Government for extra funding to cover the additional burden to council finances from the emissions trading scheme.

 

--

 

SILVER MOTION (LIBERAL DEMOCRATS) YOUNG CARERS DAY

 

Councillor Andrew Brown moved the following motion:

 

Full Council notes that:

 

1. Carers Trust estimate that there are at least one million young carers aged 17 and under in the UK and over 600,000 young adult carers between the ages of 18 and 25.

 

2. In Bristol, 493 young carers are formally identified by the Department for Education, but the true number of young carers in our city is likely to be far higher.

 

3. Young carers miss an average of 23 school days per year and young adult carers are four times more likely to drop out of college or university.

 

4. Caring responsibilities can affect young carers' readiness to engage fully in school life, adding barriers to punctuality, their capacity to complete homework, and their ability to focus and participate effectively in lessons.

 

Therefore, to mark Young Carers Action Day on 12 March 2025, Full Council recommends that the Children and Young People Committee considers:

 

1. Signing up to the Young Carers Covenant, published by Carers Trust in March 2024.

 

2. Working alongside all schools and colleges to deliver Young Carer Awareness Training for staff so that they can recognise and address the challenges faced by young carers.

 

3. Encouraging schools and colleges to provide guidance, assembly plans, and awareness-raising materials about young carers.

 

4. Forming a young carers’ support system to provide a relief for young carers.

 

The motion was seconded by Councillor Sarah Classick.

 

Following debate, upon being put to the vote, the motion was CARRIED (63 For, 0 against, 0 abstentions) it was:

 

RESOLVED

 

Full Council notes that:

 

1. Carers Trust estimate that there are at least one million young carers aged 17 and under in the UK and over 600,000 young adult carers between the ages of 18 and 25.

 

2. In Bristol, 493 young carers are formally identified by the Department for Education, but the true number of young carers in our city is likely to be far higher.

 

3. Young carers miss an average of 23 school days per year and young adult carers are four times more likely to drop out of college or university.

 

4. Caring responsibilities can affect young carers' readiness to engage fully in school life, adding barriers to punctuality, their capacity to complete homework, and their ability to focus and participate effectively in lessons.

 

Therefore, to mark Young Carers Action Day on 12 March 2025, Full Council recommends that the Children and Young People Committee considers:

 

1. Signing up to the Young Carers Covenant, published by Carers Trust in March 2024.

 

2. Working alongside all schools and colleges to deliver Young Carer Awareness Training for staff so that they can recognise and address the challenges faced by young carers.

 

3. Encouraging schools and colleges to provide guidance, assembly plans, and awareness-raising materials about young carers.

 

4. Forming a young carers’ support system to provide a relief for young carers.