Agenda item

An update from the Cabinet on key issues for Cabinet Members which may be of interest to Overview and Scrutiny and may inform the O&S work plan 

The Leader referred members to the briefing which had been circulated with the agenda.

Regarding devolution, he could not say at this point what impact the result of the EU Referendum would have but he was very aware that it would change a lot of things for lots of people.

The Cabinet Member Clean and Green Environment was also in attendance to update members on the recycling review and answer any questions. He advised that a review of the council's waste fleet was due in mid-2017 and a vehicle order would have to be submitted by the end of 2016 around the budget process.  This provided a good opportunity to engage the public in a two-stage consultation.  Stage one in July would ask the public what they think about the current service, their likes, dislikes and improvements they would like to see.  He acknowledged that July was a holiday period but would provide a full calendar month for the consultation and there were plans to engage the public in many different ways using social media and engaging with target groups.  Following this consultation a feasibility study with options would be developed and this may lead to a second consultation in September with a report to Cabinet around November time. 

Referring to a recent ITV documentary he wished to make it absolutely clear that the council had no plans to move to a three weekly collection for residual waste. They would be considering all the options and the outcome was to provide a good a service as possible within the budget constraints and to increase recycling while reducing waste to landfill.

In response to questions, the Cabinet Member advised the following:

• The consultation would focus on individual service users rather than private landlords and they would be assisted by CBH and neighbourhood projects in identifying potential consultees. It was important to engage with people in HMOs and flats as they would have different needs.
• He agreed that clear communication with neighbouring authorities was key and he had been disappointed that Tewkesbury Borough Council had gone ahead with changes without consulting this council. It was important to look at what other councils were doing as part of the review.
• He viewed the consultation as an opportunity for education and to inform the public about recycling and why it was important.
• The survey would ask for postcode details so that the respondees could be verified and results could be analysed on the basis of where people live in the town.
• He acknowledged the difficulties in enforcement in some areas of the town where big bins were used and it was difficult to identify who was responsible for them. A member identified London Road as a particular problem.
• Regarding new developments, particularly as a result of the JCS, there was now a planning policy in place which would oblige developers to ensure their plans are compatible with efficient collection of waste. He acknowledged that this had not always been the case in the past and there had been problems with access for waste vehicles.

The Chair thanked the Leader and the Cabinet Member for their attendance.