Resolved: That the minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 12 April 2012 be approved and signed as a correct record.

There were no declarations of interest.

No questions were received.

No matters were referred from Council.

There were no references from the Performance and Governance Committee or from Select Committees.

The Portfolio Holder for the Cleaner and Greener Environment introduced a report which outlined the Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG) Weekly Collection Support Scheme bidding process and reported on the results of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) Audit of Waste and Recycling Services.  It was agreed that these two issues would be considered separately.

A.        DCLG Weekly Collection Support Scheme

The Department of Communities and Local Government, (DCLG), had announced a £250 million ‘Weekly Collection Support Scheme’ three year fund, available for Local Authorities to ‘increase the frequency and quality of waste collections and make it easier to recycle’. It was a challenge fund that would support Authorities in providing a weekly collection service.  As an Authority that had worked hard to preserve weekly residual collections the District could only bid if a new recycling component such as weekly food (or organic) waste was agreed.   Due to the timescales for submissions, it was noted that there had not been enough time to bring the report forward for consideration by the Services Select Committee first.  Expressions of interest had to be submitted by 16 March 2012, and the outline bid had to be submitted by 11 May 2012.

Members were concerned that even if a bid were successful it was a five year commitment that would need to find its own funding for years four and five, and that it would be difficult to cease the service after the five year commitment as an expectation of provision would have been created.

The Chairman expressed disappointment that the Council was seemingly being penalised for protecting its weekly collection service.  He tabled a draft letter for Members approval to send to Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, which Members read and agreed subject to an amendment to reflect the need for future funding.  The Chairman of Services Select Committee requested that any resulting correspondence be shared with the Services Select Committee.

            Resolved: That

(a)          An outline bid and  detailed final bid not be submitted to the                                     DCLG Weekly Collection Support Scheme for the introduction of                 a separate weekly collecting of food waste for compositing; and

(b)          the Chairman submit the letter tabled at the meeting, to the   Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government      subject to the agreed amendment.

The Portfolio Holder for the Cleaner and Greener Environment thanked Officers for all their hard work.

B         Health and Safety Executive (HSE) Audit of Waste Recycling Services

The Portfolio Holder for the Cleaner and Greener Environment reported on the findings and Officer's response to the Health Safety Executive (HSE) Audit of Waste and Recycling collecting operations undertaken on 20 and 21 February 2012.  It was felt that the HSE seemed to favour a wheeled bin collection service over a sack collection method.  Members were keen not to feel pressured into changing what was a favoured and well run service.  Since publication of the report a further Inspector had looked at the new drop fronted bins, which had been  ...  view the full minutes text for item 102.

The Portfolio Holder for Safe Community commended a report detailing the Community Safety Action Plan 2012/13 which identified eight Community Safety priorities for the District, based on a Strategic Assessment of crime and disorder undertaken in November 2011.  The Action Plan also identified areas of work that would have a positive impact. 

The Chairman had concerns with regards to burglary and vehicle crime and wished to know more about how the police intended to tackle such a visible crime.  It was agreed that the Chief Inspector be invited to attend a meeting of the Social Affairs Select Committee

Resolved: That the Community Safety Action Plan 2012/13 be approved.