Lead Member: Councillor David Vasmer, Portfolio Holder for Highways & Environment

Lead Officer: Laura Tyler, Service Director - Commissioning

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet noted:  

a.     The new legislative requirement to provide weekly food collection from 31 March 2026 for every home in Shropshire

b.     That compliance with the new arrangement has not been possible at this time as a result primarily of contractual and financial constraints  

c.     The comments from The Economy and Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee at its meeting on 29th January 2026 as set out in the report  

d.     The initial capital and revenue funding already available to the Council to support design and implementation  

And instructed the Service Director for Place Shaping:  

e.     To undertake further work with the current contractor to assess the full costs and timing of a fully compliant scheme  

f.      To update a complete risk assessment of the plan moving forward 

g.     Separately to consider the need for an application to DEFRA for exemption from the regulatory requirements on the basis of rurality and contractual complexity.  

h.     To write formally DEFRA to confirm the Council's position and plans to design and assess the full cost of the project and the likely timescales involved, again subject to affordability  

i.       To report further to Cabinet in July 2026 updating them on progress. 

The Deputy Portfolio Holder for Highways and Environment presented the report, which set out proposals for planning for the delivery of this regulated service and the approach to funding the new requirement for weekly food waste collections in Shropshire for all households.

It was noted that, although a one?off capital grant had been received from DEFRA, no ongoing revenue funding had been provided to meet the estimated annual cost of operating the service. Cabinet was advised that Shropshire Council’s current financial position, contractual arrangements and infrastructure constraints meant that the service could not be introduced at this time without creating further financial pressure.

Cabinet discussed the environmental importance of food waste collection and acknowledged concerns raised about compliance with national legislation. Members noted the complexities arising from existing contracts, rurality and processing capacity, and that further work was required to identify a sustainable and equitable solution for the whole county.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet noted:  

a.     The new legislative requirement to provide weekly food collection from 31 March 2026 for every home in Shropshire

b.     That compliance with the new arrangement has not been possible at this time as a result primarily of contractual and financial constraints  

c.     The comments from The Economy and Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee at its meeting on 29th January 2026 as set out in the report  

d.     The initial capital and revenue funding already available to the Council to support design and implementation  

And instructed the Service Director for Place Shaping:  

e.     To undertake further work with the current contractor to assess the full costs and timing of a fully compliant scheme  

f.      To update a complete risk assessment of the plan moving forward 

g.     Separately to consider the need for an application to DEFRA for exemption from the regulatory requirements on the basis of rurality and contractual complexity.  

h.     To write formally DEFRA to confirm the Council's position and plans to design and assess the full cost of the project and the likely timescales involved, again subject to affordability  

i.       To report further to Cabinet in July 2026 updating them on progress.