Agenda item

Report No: OAS/SE/17/029

The Committee was reminded that on 9 November 2016, it had received a presentation from the Cabinet Member for Operations, setting out this responsibilities covered under his portfolio.

At this meeting, the Cabinet Member had been invited back to provide his annual update.  Report No: OAS/SE/17/029 set out the focus of the update.

The Cabinet Member was also provided in advance  of the meeting with some key questions identified by Scrutiny Members on areas they wished to be appraised on during the annual update, which were included in the report along with responses, specifically:

1)    Brown Bins: Has the Council seen a rise in the number of households signing up to the Brown Bin service in the second year?

2)    Brown Bins:  What impact has the scheme had on the weight of refuse going to Great Blakenham and has the cost gone up, if so, by how much?

3)   Recycling: How well is the public doing at separating their waste? (i.e. how much is going into the brown bin which should not?)

4)   Fleet Management: What research has been carried out, and how soon do you expect the Council to have electric fleet vehicles?

5)    Christmas Fayre: Whilst this is extremely successful for attracting visitors to the town and the economy, it is very disruptive to residents.  Therefore, how much thought is being given to minimising the impact on residents?

Councillor Peter Stevens opened his presentation by thanking the Committee for the invitation to address the Committee on progress made within his Portfolio since November 2017, and welcomed the new format in providing questions in advance.

The Committee asked follow-up questions relating to the brown bins and subscriptions; recycling; fleet management and Christmas Fayre, to which comprehensive responses were provided.

In particular detailed discussions were held on Bury Christmas Fayre; whether consideration had been made to further extending the Fayre; the desire for a similar Christmas Fayre in Haverhill; comparisons made with European Christmas Markets and how they operated from the end of November to the end of December.  In response the Market Development Officer advised that a Christmas Fayre Review was carried out in 2015, and a three year plan was implemented.  The plan was now in its second year of operation, and officers would be looking to carry out a further review of the plan next year.  Also, considerable work had been undertaken in Haverhill on its week market and Christmas Market and additional improvements were planned for 2018.

In response to a question raised regarding refuse crews inspecting bins, members were informed that the refuse crew were encouraged to lift bin lids to check the material quality met the minimum standards required and was not contaminated with the wrong material.

Members questioned what research the council carried out for future refuse disposal.  In response members were informed that the Suffolk Waste Partnership (SWP) had their own goals, and commercial bins were part of the planning thought process for future housing developments with flats.  Talks were also taking place across the county on how to plan for future housing and the collection of refuse.  The Council also engaged with the SWP and nationally with the Institute of Waste Management on future developments in waste recycling.

Members discussed fleet management and noted the low annual mileage which related to the light vehicles fleet, which operated close to the depots. Officers explained that fleet vehicles used diesel, and the council supplied its own fuel.  If vehicles were changed to petrol, then staff would have to purchase petrol from petrol stations, and there would also be taxation implications for staff.

Members questioned the purchase price of vehicles which was below the market value and felt the 50% residual value was optimistic.  In response members were advised that the 50% related to the original price of the vehicle and VAT was not counted.

Members wished to thank the Assistant Director (Operations) and all his staff for the help and prompt solutions they provided.  In particular they thanked the Market Development Officer for the new ideas she had brought to the Haverhill Market.

The Chairman on behalf of the Committee wished to thank the Cabinet Member for Operations and officers for their attendance and noted the update.