Decision

The Cabinet Member for Resources has decided to implement policy changes for business waste collection in central Bath to enhance the city's appearance and reduce hazards.

Analysis

outcome: The policy changes, including altering collection times, mandatory labelling of waste, and enforcing reusable rubbish bags, will be implemented as a pilot from September 2025.

summary: The decision involves implementing policy changes for business waste collection in central Bath to improve the city's appearance and reduce hazards.

topline: The Cabinet Member for Resources has decided to implement policy changes for business waste collection in central Bath to enhance the city's appearance and reduce hazards.

reason_contentious: This issue may be contentious as it involves changes to business waste collection practices that could impact local businesses and residents.

affected_stakeholders: ["Businesses in central Bath", "Residents of Bath", "Visitors to Bath"]

contentiousness_score: 5

political_party_relevance: There are no mentions or implications of political parties or political influence on the decision.

URL: https://democracy.bathnes.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=2245

Decision Maker: Cabinet Member for Resources

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: Yes

Purpose: To review the business waste collection window to improve the visual appeal, the public realm and the visitor experience during shop opening hours and critical early evening period.

Content: To agree to implement the following policy changes as a pilot from September 2025:   1)  Collection Times: Alter the evening business waste collection window to 6pm – 8.30pm to balance business needs and public realm improvements.   2)  Labelling: Make it mandatory for all businesses within central Bath to clearly mark or label their waste and recycling with their company name and address.   3)  Reusable Rubbish Bags (RRBs): Enforce the use of RRBs to contain residual business waste where businesses can promptly return them to their premises. Bath & North East Somerset Council is implementing the changes to ensure that no business waste is left on the streets between 10am and 6pm and to enhance the city for residents and visitors.   Better containment of non-recyclable waste in labelled reusable sacks will help guard against the mess and noise that gulls can cause within the city. Restricting the placement of business waste and recycling sacks on pavements until early evening will also help to reduce hazards and align the evening collections with the City Centre security scheme.   This change in policy for business waste collections is intended to improve the visual appeal of central Bath during shop opening hours and the busy early evening period. In addition to the recommendations proposed the following options were discussed with Members and discounted.   ·  Altering the collection time to 5.30pm - 8pm window to deliver on the overall vision whilst mitigating its impact. ·  Do nothing and continue with the current policy.   The above options were fully considered but did not support the overall vision to improve the visual appeal, the public realm and the visitor experience during shop opening hours and critical early evening period.

Date of Decision: July 2, 2025