2026

RSC1510 - Taking powers from DVLA to remove untaxed vehicles - 140426

A member authority would like to ask other councils about your experiences with taking on powers from the DVLA to remove untaxed vehicles. They are interested in your experiences in having these powers and applying them.

1. How long have you had these powers?

2. How much use do you make of them? ie how many reports are you receiving per year, and how many lifts take place (approximately)

3. What are the overall financial consequences of having and using the powers? Does it create a deficit, surplus or cost neutral?

4. Would you recommend other councils to follow this route?

5. If yes, any useful advice you could offer? 6. If no, why not?

RSC1502- Approaches to moving obstructing vehicles for gully cleansing - 030326

A member authority is reviewing how they handle situations where parked or “nuisance” vehicles prevent access to gullies during scheduled cleansing and what actions authorities may take to allow cleansing to take place.

Could you please share examples, case studies, or contacts covering the points below?

1) Processes and powers- What formal mechanisms are used (e.g., bay suspensions, advance parking restrictions, TTRO/TTRNs, tow-away/civil enforcement partnerships)?- Who leads the process operationally (Highways vs. Parking/Civil Enforcement) and how is coordination managed?

2) Notice & communications- Typical lead-in times and notice periods before works.- Methods and templates for resident/business communications (letters, postcards, door knocking, SMS/email alerts, social media, VMS/advanced warning signs), including standard wording if available.

3) On-the-day arrangements- Use of temporary traffic management, cone lines, marshals, or dedicated removal teams.- Criteria for deciding whether to re-programme the visit vs. attempt removal.

4) Costs & recovery- Charging or cost-recovery models (e.g., internal recharges with Parking Services, fees to vehicle owners, or absorbed programme costs).

5) Outcomes & risk- Measured impact on completion rates, re-visit volumes, complaints, or claims.- Known risks, mitigations, and any lessons learned.

If there are authorities who operate an effective removal/tow-away approach specifically for planned maintenance (as opposed to events or emergency works), they would like to hear from you and are happy to reciprocate by sharing their baseline data and constraints.

RSC1501 - Insurance for local authorities responsible for waste movement - 180326

A local authority would like to know from others responsible for the movement of waste:

1. Can you please provide the name of your insurance provider for vehicles and premises?

2. Has your insurance provider required you to install Fire Detection or Fire Suppression Systems on mobile plant used for loading waste?

RSC1500 - Cost of food waste service - 030226

A member authority is reviewing their new food waste collection service. They would like to hear from other authorities who are launching a new food waste collection service and would like to know:

• Are you launching a stand-alone food waste collections service? (separate food spec lorries and crews) • How many lorries / crews will you be operating and across what household count

• Is your service in house or through a service provider

• What is the projected annual cost of this new service?

RSC1499 - Rotopress refuse collection vehicles - 210126

A member authority is in the process of replacing their refuse fleet and have been asked to explore rotopress refuse collection vehicles as replacements for some of their standard refuse collection vehicles.

1.  Do any member authorities operate rotopress refuse collection vehicles?

2. And, if so:

a. How many and what percentage of the fleet?

b. Are they used for specific rounds e.g. green waste, food waste, etc.?

c. How do they perform vs standard vehicles from a maintenance, cost of operation, downtime, etc. perspective?

RSC1498 - Incidents of 240ltr bins being ejected from bin lifting equipment  - 070126

A member authority has recently experienced several incidents where 240-litre wheeled bins have been ejected from the bin lifting equipment during collection operations, resulting in injuries to employees.

This authority is therefore keen to understand whether other authorities have encountered similar issues and, if so, what measures or solutions have been implemented to prevent such occurrences. Also any insights, experiences, or best practices you can share would be greatly appreciated as this local authority looks to review their operational safety protocols.

RSC1496 - Managing mechanical sweeping fleets in large city councils - 120126

A member authority is keen to understand how other large city councils manage their mechanical sweeping fleets in neighbourhoods. Specifically:

1. How many sweepers do you have in these fleets and their make/ model?

2. What telematics systems are used to monitor output and productivity?

3. What is the annual operating costs for the sweeping service?

4. What types of brushes are used to manage weed growth in light of reduced glyphosate use?

Any relevant case studies or references would be greatly appreciated.