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.