Issue - decisions
Waste Fleet Replacement
09/01/2026 - Fleet Replacement Programme
The purpose of the report was to review the Capital Fleet Replacement Programme, identify the vehicles for replacement in 2026/27 and agree the next steps towards the decarbonisation of the waste services.
Councillor Andrea Pellegram, Cabinet Member for Environment & Regulatory Services, introduced the report which reviewed the Capital Fleet Replacement Programme and the vehicles scheduled for replacement in 2026/27. Extending vehicle life had been considered in light of finance and LGR, but rejected due to service disruption and higher maintenance risks. Waste and environment services were noted as the Council’s largest emissions source, making decarbonisation critical to the 2030 carbon reduction target. The updated programme increased forecast capital expenditure by £0.350m due to the addition of an electric vehicle and early replacement of a 7.5t refuse collection vehicle, bringing the total 2026/27 estimate to £6.0m. The report also included the planned use of Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil to reduce emissions, acknowledging potential increased revenue costs. The measures were intended to balance operational reliability, legislative compliance, and climate objectives while providing a framework to monitor costs and carbon savings
The recommendations were proposed by Councillor Andrea Pellegram and seconded by Councillor Mike Evemy.
Resolved that Cabinet:
1. Approved the replacement of vehicles in line with the updated Capital Fleet Replacement Programme (Paragraph 5.3) up to a total of thirty-one vehicles.
2. Approved steps towards the decarbonisation of waste services through the purchase of one electric kerbside-sort vehicle (one of the thirty-one vehicles identified above) and a shift to using Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) as a replacement to diesel.
3. Agreed to include the reprofiled capital expenditure for 2026/27 in the Capital Programme that will be considered by Cabinet and Council in February 2026.
Voting record:
7 For, 0 Against, 0 Abstentions.