Agenda item

The Cabinet Member Development and Safety referred to the health and safety briefing note included in the agenda pack. He explained that a formal report was presented to Cabinet every 3 years. To note was the fact that commercial services were now offered, demand for which was on the increase.

The Cabinet Member Clean and Green Environment referred to the County Council’s incinerator project and explained that prior to the construction of the incinerator discussions had taken place on how waste would be transported to the site. The Joint Waste Team had advised that a waste transfer station would be provided and therefore waste collection vehicles would not be required to travel to junction 12 of the M5. The consistent advice received was key to the service redesign of the waste and recycling service in Cheltenham and vehicle procurement as vehicles were purchased on the basis that they would not leave the borough. The County Council cabinet were now however discussing a plan for direct delivery of waste. He expressed his anger at the suggestion that CBC would bear the cost of this particularly given the inaccurate advice it had received. He therefore sought legal advice which allowed him to move the following motion at the Joint Waste Committee meeting on 19 June :

“Having received the report from the Joint Waste Team the Joint Waste Committee agree that the direct delivery of waste from Tewkesbury Borough and Cheltenham Borough Councils to Javelin Park is not a viable option either financially, practically or environmentally.

We recommend that Gloucestershire County Council ensure that all districts have appropriate waste transfer arrangements in place for each district in advance of the hot commissioning of Javelin Park.”

He informed that all other voting districts favoured the motion and he urged the County council to abandon their plan for direct delivery.

In addition he explained that a review of the operation of household recycling centres was underway from which the Joint Waste committee had excluded the Swindon Road site. The plan was to limit the operating times of their sites which would have a direct impact on the cost of running the operation at the Depot due to additional trade.

The Cabinet Member Clean and Green Environment explained that the new build at the Cemetery and Crematorium was on time and on budget and he wished to put on record his thanks to officers and all those involved in the project.

The Cabinet Member Development and Safety referred to the closure of Boots Corner on 28 June. Amey staff had been on site initially but drivers were ignoring the TRO and driving through albeit in a reducing number. Discussions had taken place with the County council on how to address this and formal proposals to improve signage and bringing forward warning letters and fines would be forthcoming. Concern had been expressed on social media that the public were not heeding the advice. On a positive note there appeared to be very little adverse impact on major routes of the displacement of traffic. It was early days but it was a promising start.

On behalf of the Cabinet Member Healthy Lifestyles the Cabinet Member Finance updated Members on the progress of the Town Hall development as since council allocated £2.2 million much consultation and work had taken place. There were now five options - concepts  which required further consideration. The Cabinet Member wished to put on record her thanks to everyone involved.