Agenda and minutes

Members are asked to declare any interests they may have in the business to be discussed and/or indicate that Section 106 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 applies to them.

Councillor Scuplak decalared a non prejudicial interest in Report B3, ‘Science Park Update’.  Councillor Gill declared a non prejudicial interest in Report P, ‘Licensing of Peugeot E7 as a Hackney Carriage’, as he had relatives working in the taxi business.

Public Health

The Leader reported on the serious current public health challenges that existed and that in the latest in the series of Cinqefoil Seminars, the Chief Medical Officer, Sir Liam Donaldson would be discussing the national public health agenda.  The Seminar would be held on Thursday 29 September from 12-2pm at the Athena Conference Centre.

The minutes of the meeting held on 5 September 2005 have been circulated to Members and the Cabinet is asked to approve them as a correct record.

RESOLVED: 

that the minutes of the meeting held on 5 September, having been circulated to Members be taken as read and signed by the Chair as a correct record.

Strategic Planning and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee – 14 September 2005

The Committee resolved the following at the above meeting:-

CAPITAL PROGRAMME OUTTURN 2004/05

“(1)      that the Committee expresses its concerns to Cabinet on the spending failures with regard to Direct Grant Schemes, in particular those funded by the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund; and

(2)       that the Committee receive a report on the spending failures in the Direct Grant Schemes at the earliest possible opportunity, should there be any urgent action required prior to that time then the Triumvirate should be kept informed.”

Councillor Blackmore reported that the reported under-spend on Direct Grants of £3.7m mainly related to the following Regeneration Programme funding regimes;

SRB under-spend of £0.1m The unspent resources were to be carried forward to 2005/06, subject to EMDA's approval of a revised 2005/06 Delivery Plan being submitted in October 2005.

Reasons for the underspend accumulation included a protracted tendering process for £2 million worth of employment, training, business support, and associated childcare provision.  This process was now virtually complete and services would be provided from January 2006.   Another contributing factor was the failure of a substantial bid by GHCDL (the Greater Humberstone Development Company) to implement its proposals for the Mundella site.  A revised bid was expected by 30 September, together with plans for other SRB capital projects in Greater Humberstone.  

NRF under-spend of £1m. The unspent resources were vired to the 2004/05 revenue allocation in January 2005. This resulted in an under-spend of the revenue allocation of £0.8m, of which £0.4m was approved to be carried forward by GOEM to 2005/06. The residual balance of £0.4m was lost to the partnership.

£250,000 of the underspend was due to slippage on capital projects.  As a two-year programme, NRF was not a suitable source of capital funding.  Secondly, several projects managed by the City Council did not start spending until six months of the programme had elapsed.  In order to guarantee the maximum expenditure of short-term external funding, the City Council must ensure that projects are ready to start immediately, that support systems are in place, and contingencies available to take up any slack.

It was noted that officers would report to the October Strategic Planning and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee on this issue.

Objective 2 ERDF under-spend of £2.4m. This was vired to the revenue allocation. Due to the complexities of the funding regime, this expenditure was now reported as Direct Grants revenue expenditure and is excluded from the 2005/06 Capital Programme.

PLANNING APPLICATION STATISTICS

“that the Cabinet be requested to look at the fee income generated by additional planning applications being used for development of the planning service.”

Councillor Farmer responded that the Council did receive funding in the form of the Planning Delivery Grant for the development of the planning service.  However, there was one particular area where the Council needed to improve performance which was in relation to major planning applications.  Therefore he noted the Scrutiny Committee’s suggestion and reported that it would be considered  ...  view the full minutes text for item 94.

Councillor Metcalfe submits a report asking the Cabinet to endorse the above Strategy and Business Plan and recommend them to Council.  The Cabinet is also asked to note that the two documents are considered as part of the Council’s Comprehensive Performance Assessment.

The relevant Minutes extract from the Housing Scrutiny Committee held on 1 September is attached to the report.

Councillor Metcalfe submitted a report presenting the Housing Strategy for the City for 2005-10 and the Housing Revenue Account Business Plan 2005, covering the management and maintenance of the City Council’s housing stock.

The relevant minute of the Housing Scrutiny Committee on 1 September                        had been circulated to the Cabinet.

RESOLVED:

(1)       that  the Leicester City Council’s Housing Strategy for the City, be endorsed:

(2)       that the Leicester City Council’s Housing Revenue Account Business Plan for the Council’s housing stock, be endorsed;

(3)       that it be noted that the Housing Strategy and Housing Revenue Account Business Plan are considered as part of the Council’s Comprehensive Performance Assessment; and

(4)       that Council be requested to endorse the Housing Strategy and Business Plan and note that they are considered as part of the Council’s Comprehensive Performance Assessment.

Councillor Metcalfe submits a report updating the Cabinet on work undertaken since the last report in February 2005.   The Cabinet is recommended to approve a way forward.

Councillor Metcalfe submitted a report updating the Cabinet on work undertaken since the last report in February 2005 and asked the Cabinet to approve a way forward.

RESOLVED:

(1)that a new Cabinet Energy Working Group be set up to explore the various options in more depth and consider the structure, range of functions and financing (if appropriate) of the service but any decision about forming a company if this should be the option chosen be reserved to the Cabinet after consideration of a full business case;

(2)that authority to approve the Council’s nominee on the Board of Directors of the newly constituted Leicester Energy Agency, be delegated to the Corporate Directors of Housing and Resources, Access and Diversity, in consultation with the Cabinet Energy Agency Working Group, should this prove necessary;

(3)that the actions of the Corporate Director of Housing, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, in putting Leicester forward for the Presidency of Energie-Cities be noted; and

(4)that the Leader of the Council or his nominee be appointed to represent the Council at Energie-Cities meetings in future.

Councillor Gill submits a report which sets out proposals for the new lead commissioning arrangements and outlines the progress made in implementing the integrated Health and Social Care Learning Disability Services to be hosted by the City Council.  The Cabinet is asked to approve the establishment of Leicester City Commissioning Board and associated governance arrangements from 1 October 2005, the introduction of new lead commissioning arrangements for Health and Social Care Learning Disability Service led by the City Council form 1 October 2005 and the proposed integration of services.

The relevant minute extract of the Social Services Scrutiny Committee on 13 September is attached to the report.

Councillor Gill submitted a report which set out proposals for the new lead commissioning arrangements and outlined the progress made in implementing the integrated Health and Social Care Learning Disability Services to be hosted by the City Council.

The relevant minute of the Social Services Scrutiny Committee on                     13 September had been circulated to the Cabinet.

RESOLVED:

(1)that the establishment of Leicester City Commissioning Board and associated governance arrangements from 1 October 2005, be approved;

(2)that the introduction of new lead commissioning arrangements for Health and Social Care Learning Disability Service led City Council from 1 October 2005, be approved;

(3)that the proposed integration of Health and Social Care Learning Disability services, to be hosted by City Council, from 1April 2006, be approved;

(4)that the Corporate Director of Social Care and Health be authorised to conclude negotiations with partner organisations and approve the final terms of partnership agreement both in relation to the lead commissioning arrangements from 1 October 2005 and the partnership agreement required to encompass both integrated service provision and lead commissioning from 1 April 2006; and

(5)that the Head of Legal Services be authorised to enter into the formal documentation necessary to complete the partnership agreements.

Councillor Gill submits a report which summarises the outcome of the Commission for Social Care Inspection which took place in June 2005.  The Cabinet is asked to note the outcome of the Inspection.

The relevant minute extract of the Social Services Scrutiny Committee on 13 September is attached to the report.

The full report is attached for Members of the Cabinet only.  Further copies are available from John Thorpe, Committee Services, 252 6026

Councillor Gill submitted a report which summarised the outcome of the Commission for Social Care Inspection which took place in June 2005.

The relevant minute of the Social Services Scrutiny Committee on 13 September had been circulated to the Cabinet

RESOLVED:

(1)that the Final Report of the Commission for Social Care Inspection Report of the Leicester City Council Fostering Service be noted;

(2)that it be noted that the suggested ‘Good Practice Recommendations’ will be considered by the fostering service and implemented as appropriate; and

(3) that the Cabinet’s congratulations and thanks be passed on to all the staff involved in providing such a highly regarded service.

Councillor Coley submits a report to enable compliance with the requirements of the Council’s Corporate Governance code by carrying out an annual reveiw of the Corporate Governance Arrangements for 2004/05.

The Cabinet is asked to review the position and authorise the Head of Legal Services to finalise a form of Corporate Assurance Statement to be signed by the Leader and Chief Executive.

The full Annual Report is attached for Members of the Cabinet only.  Further copies are available on the Council’s website: www.leicester.gov.uk/cabinet or by contacting John Thorpe, Committee Services on 252 6026.

The relevant minutes extracts from the Standards Committee on 21 September and the Resources and Equal Opportunities Scrutiny Committee on 22 September will be circulated when they are available.

Councillor Blackmore submitted a report to enable compliance with the requirements of the Council’s Corporate Governance code by carrying out an annual review of the Corporate Governance Arrangements for 2004/05.

The relevant minutes of the Standards Committee on 21 September                  and the Resources and Equal Opportunities Scrutiny Committee on 22 September had been circulated to the Cabinet.  Councillor Blackmore noted the positive comments of the Standards Committee and the concerns expressed by the Resources and Equal Opportunities Scrutiny Committee. 

The first of the Scrutiny Committee’s concerns related to the length of time it had taken to complete industrial relations procedures such as grievance and disciplinary matters.  The Leader asked that the Service Director (Human Resources) review the assurance given in the light of the Scrutiny Committee’s comments.

The second concern expressed by the Scrutiny Committee related to the positive assurance system for financial issues which was not fully operational in all departments.

RESOLVED:

(1)that, subject to the Service Director (Human Resources) reviewing the assurance given in the light of the Resources and Equal Opportunities Scrutiny Committee’s comments, the Service Director, Legal Services, be authorised to finalise a form of Corporate Assurance Statement, to be signed by the Leader and the Chief Executive, to be published on the Council’s website; and

(2)that all Corporate Directors ensure that systems are in place to provide positive assurance statements for financial issues by the end of  the calendar year.

Councillor Coley submits a report which explains the process by which the Council’s 2006/07 base budget is being prepared and summarises the principles supporting the process.  The Cabinet is asked to endorse the framework for base budget preparations and approve the cash limits for each department.

Councillor Blackmore submitted a report which explained the process by which the Council’s 2006/07 base budget was being prepared and summarised the principles supporting the process.

RESOLVED:

(1)that the framework for base budget preparation be endorsed; and

(2)that the cash limits for each department be approved.

Councillor Coley submits a report updating the Cabinet on the progress of the capital programme expenditure up to the end of July 2005. The Cabinet is asked to agree a number of actions in relation to the programme.

Any comments from Scrutiny Committees will be circulated as they become available.

Councillor Blackmore submitted a report updating the Cabinet on the progress of the capital programme for 2005/06 up to the end of July.

The relevant minute of the Resources and Equal Opportunities Scrutiny Committee on 22 September had been circulated to the Cabinet.

RESOLVED:

(1)that a revised level of programmed expenditure of £127.3 million be approved;

(2)that the level of expenditure to the end of July 2005 of £21.9 million be noted;

(3)that the position relating to capital receipts be noted;

(4)that the use of £8,000 from the capital programme provision for (LRC) Public Realm to fund  works to the John Ellis playing field be approved;

(5)that an addition to the Education programme relating to the Braunstone Changing Rooms scheme at a cost of £532,000 to be funded from Service Resources be approved;

(6)that the following additions to the programme be noted, to be funded from service resources

Education

Seed Challenge (£175,000)

Mobile Replacement Programme (73,000)

Specialist Status (£235,000)

Regeneration & Culture

Air Quality Management (£33,000)

Waste Performance & Efficiency (£133,000)

SRB (£224,000)

Social Care & Health

Integrated Childrens Services (£116,000)

Mental Health (£145,000)

Information Management (£165,000)

(7)that an increase in the Town Hall scheme to a maximum of £1.99 million with the additional costs of £310,000 being funded by the use of uncommitted sums from other RAD schemes in the 2005/06 capital programme be approved;

(8)that it be noted that the forecast capital programme performance is 91% of the approved programme compared to a target of 90%; and

                        (9)            that the prudential indicators for 2005/06 be noted.

Councillor Coley submits a report showing the summary position comparing spending with the budget to the end of July.  The Cabinet is asked to note the report, approve the transfer of £1 million DFeS creditor to the Educational departmental reserve and consider what other action is necessary to prevent departments from overspending.

The relevant Minute extract of Social Services Scrutiny held on 13 September is attached to the report.  Any other comments from Scrutiny will be circulated when available.

Councillor Blackmore submitted a report comparing spending with the budget.

The relevant minutes of the Social Services Scrutiny Committee on 13 September and the Resources and Equal Opportunities Scrutiny Committee on 22 September  had been circulated to the Cabinet.

The Leader reported that the Cabinet recognised that there were failings in respect of the Lifelong Learning budget and an action plan had already been agreed.  However, Cabinet did not recognise failings in respect of financial controls in Regeneration and Culture.  The Transport Review was recognised as a risk at the time the budget was put together and monitoring information had picked up the problem early and promptly.

RESOLVED:

(1)that the concerns of the Resources and Equal Opportunities Scrutiny Committee be noted;

(2)that the changes made to the original approved budget for 2005/06 be noted;

(3)that the expenditure to date and the budgetary issues which have emerged so far this year be noted;

(4)that the proposals put forward to ensure that spending is contained within the Departments’ budgets be noted;

(5)that Corporate Directors make every endeavour to ensure their departmental budgets do not overspend with any matters of significant overspend or potential significant overspend to be raised with the relevant Cabinet Lead; and

(6)that the transfer of the £1m DfES creditor to the Education Departmental reserve as outlined in paragraph 5.2.6 of the report be approved.

Councillor Coley submits a report which sets out proposals to devolve responsibility for certain human resource appeals processes from elected members to senior officers.  The Cabinet is asked to agree to these changes and recommend to Council that the scheme of delegation in the Council’s Constitution be amended to reflect this.

The relevant Minute extract from the Resources and Equal Opportunities Scrutiny Committee on 22 September will be circulated when it is available.

Councillor Blackmore reported that he wished to have further discussion on the proposals in the report.          

RESOLVED:

                        that the report be deferred to the next meeting of the Cabinet.

Councillor Coley submits a report seeking Cabinet’s agreement to an updated version of the above, covering the period 2004-07.

The full Strategy is attached for Cabinet Members only.  Copies are available on the Council’s website: www.leicester.gov.uk/cabinet or by contacting John Thorpe on 252 6028.

The relevant Minute extract from the Resources and Equal Opportunities Scrutiny Committee on 22 September will be circulated when it is available.

Councillor Blackmore submitted a report seeking approval to an updated version of the Corporate Equality Strategy and Action Plan covering the period 2004-2007.

The relevant minute of the Resources and Equal Opportunities Scrutiny Committee on 22 September had been circulated to the Cabinet and an amended Appendix 1 to the report as in the original appendix several ticked actions against  some Housing functions had been omitted.

RESOLVED:

that the contents of the revised Corporate Equality Strategy and Action Plan be approved.

Councillor Coley submits a report seeking confirmation of the Council’s continued commitment to the Equality Standard for Local Government.

The full Plan is attached for Cabinet Members only.  Copies are available on the Council’s website: www.leicester.gov.uk/cabinet or by contacting John Thorpe on 252 6028.

Councillor Blackmore submitted a report seeking confirmation of the Council’s continued commitment to the Equality Standard for Local Government as a framework for improving performance in mainstreaming Equalities.

RESOLVED:

(1)that the Council’s continued commitment to the Equality Standard for Local Government as a framework for improving performance in mainstreaming Equalities be confirmed;

(2)that the further investment that is required to implement the project plan attached to the report as appendix 1, be supported;

(3)that the target of 31 October 2007 for achieving Level 4 of the Standard, which will be subject to regular six monthly reviews using progress reports arising from internal self assessment, be supported; and

(4)that the establishment of an external scrutiny function, which is a requirement of Level 4, which will be developed in consultation with Members, be supported in principle.

Councillor Mugglestone submits a report informing the Cabinet of the proposed transfer of the management of the flood defence of high risk areas of flooding (Critical Ordinary Watercourses) to the Environement Agency and the possible implications for the Council.

Councillor Mugglestone submitted a report informing the Cabinet of the proposed transfer to the Environment Agency of the management of the flood defence of high risk areas of flooding. 

RESOLVED:

(1)that the implications of the proposed transfer to the  Environment Agency of the management of the flood defence of high risk areas of flooding (known as Critical Ordinary Watercourses) in the City be noted; and

(2)that the Environment Agency be urged to maintain their current good state of repair which minimise the risk of flooding.

Councillor Mugglestone submits a report seeking approval to Local Environmental Works, with Thurncourt Ward as the targeted ward for 2005/06 and Humberstone and Hamilton Ward as the targeted ward for 2006/07.

The relevant Minutes extract from the Highways and Transportation Scrutiny Committee on 7 September will be circulated as soon as available.

Councillor Mugglestone submitted a report following consultation with the Highways and Transporation Scrutiny Committee on the Local Environmental Works programme 2005/06 to 2007/08.

The relevant minute of the Highways and Transportation Scrutiny Committee on 7 September had been circulated to the Cabinet.

RESOLVED:

that the Corporate Capital Programmes 2005/6 to 2007/8 for Local Environmental Works programmes detailed in paragraphs 1.6, 1.7 and 1.8 of the report with Thurncourt ward as the targeted ward for 2005/6 and Humberstone and Hamilton ward as the targeted ward for 2006/7, be approved.

Councillor Blackmore submits a report outlining proposed outcomes for the above and seeking Cabinet’s approval for them to be put forward in the first draft due to be submitted to Government Office by the end of September.

Councillor Blackmore submitted a report outlining proposed outcomes for the above and seeking Cabinet’s approval for them to be put forward in the first draft due to be submitted to Government Office by the end of September.  It was noted that this was just a first draft and there was scope for discussion and adjustment.

RESOLVED:

that the high level outcomes as proposed by the Local Area Agreement Leadership Group and set out in paragraph 2.6 of the report  be approved as the basis of Leicester first draft Local Area Agreement submission to Government Office for the East Midlands.

Councillor Coley submits a report seeking approval to a process for releasing and spending funds allocated by Council for use by Area Committees.

Councillor Blackmore submitted a report seeking approval to a process for releasing and spending funds allocated by Council for use by Area Committees.

RESOLVED:

(1)that the set of criteria and rules set out in Appendix A of the report, to achieve the release of funds allocated to Area Committees in the 2005/6 approved Revenue Budget, be approved;

(2)that any proposals for expenditure from these budgets be reported to Cabinet in order that they can consider and determine any proposals which are contrary to existing strategic policy provision; and

(3)that one off budget provision of £100,000 to support locally based sporting activities be divided between the ten proposed area Committees and that the criteria and approval mechanisms adopted by the Grants Panel at their meeting on 26 August 2005 be utilised, where appropriate, for the release of these funds, to be based on the recommendation of the Area Committees.

Councillor Mugglestone submits a report asking Cabinet to decide whether to review the Council’s conditions of fitness for Hackney Carriages; consider the resolutions of Licensing Committee in relation to licensing the Peugeot E7 as a hackney carriage and to determine the Council’s policy in relation to the required livery for hackney carriages.

The Corporate Director of Regeneration and Culture submitted a report that provided a progress report on Park and Ride and sought approval to jointly commission (with the County Council) the construction of the Enderby Park and Ride car park site and bus service, and sought approval of the design concept for bus stops including preparation of the required Traffic Regulation Orders, at St Nicholas Place. 

The Head of Transport Strategy introduced the report and explained to Members that it comprised three core topics.  The first of these was the Enderby Park and Ride scheme.  It was stated that the scheme would initially operate at a loss which would be funded from Urban Congestion Target reward funding and from surpluses generated from the on –street parking operation. 

The second area detailed in the report was the Birstall Park and Ride scheme.  It was reported that this and the Enderby services would link and complete a loop of the city serving St Nicholas Place and other destinations on its journeys and cross-linking with each other.

The third part of the report comprised the installation of bus stops on St Nicholas Place, which was described by officers as the only place on the western side of the city to accommodate bus stops that served all Park and Ride services.

Following request by Members, the Head of City Development described the proposed new routes that the Park and Ride services would travel through the city centre, and associated works which would create improved links between the City Centre and the Waterside. 

In response to queries that related to the car park that was situated on St Nicholas Place/Carey Close, the Head of City Development confirmed that the exit from the car park would be operated by traffic lights, and that its entrance would be clearly marked as a “no exit”.

A Member of the Committee was keen that there be shop-mobility opportunities in areas of the City Centre other than the High-cross development.  Officers confirmed that the St Nicholas Place stops would not act as a terminus for buses, and would be the first of a series of city centre destinations for the Park and Ride services.  It was also stated that shopmobility did not have to operate from the St Nicholas Place, and that further consultation on this would take place, which would inform officers before a decision was taken. 

Officers stated that Wyggestone House was one possible building that could be used as a base for shopmobility.  Members felt that structural work to the building would have to be undertaken before it was considered for such use.

RESOLVED:

                        That the report be noted and the recommendations detailed under paragraph 3 of the report are supported by OSMB.

Councillor Coley submits a report seeking Cabinet approval to replace the current disparate resource management systems with a fully integrated resource management system.

Councillor Grant submitted a report seeking Cabinet approval to replace the current disparate resource management systems in the Council.

RESOLVED:

(1)that the the business case for replacement of the current disparate resource management systems with a fully integrated resource management system be approved;

(2)that project funding of £1.14 million met from the Corporate Capital Programme and £1.39 million from Prudential Borrowing, by means of a Spend to Save scheme - £330,000 per annum for five years be approved; and

(3)that the Town Clerk be authorised, in consultation with the Cabinet lead, to procure new systems and sign the necessary contracts.

Councillor Metcalfe submits a report proposing that Compulsory Purchase Orders are sought under the City Council’s Empty Homes Strategy on two long term privately owned vacant properties in areas of priority housing needs. The Cabinet is asked to give approval to make the land and dwellings, as outlined in the report, the subject of individual Compulsory Purchase Orders, in order to secure their improvement, proper management and occupation as residential dwellings.

Members are asked to note that as part of this report, financial information relating to the properties is attached. These papers are marked ‘NOT FOR PUBLICATION’. The information in these papers is exempt as defined in paragraphs 7 and 8 of Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, as amended. The information therefore must not be disclosed or discussed at the meeting. Should Members wish to refer to any of these details it is recommended that the meeting move into private session.

AGENDA

MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO NOTE

Under the law, the Cabinet is entitled to consider certain items in private.  Members of the public will be asked to leave the meeting when such items are discussed.

The Cabinet is recommended to consider the following reports in private on the grounds that they contain ‘exempt’ information as defined by the Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985, and consequently that the Cabinet makes the following resolution:-

“that the press and public be excluded during consideration of the following reports in accordance with the provisions of Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, as amended, because they involve the likely disclosure of 'exempt' information, as defined in the Paragraphs detailed below of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act.”

Paragraphs 7 & 8

Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person/The amount of any expenditure to be incurred by the authority under any contract

Empty Homes Strategy

Paragraph 9

Any terms proposed or to be proposed by or to the authority in the course of negotiations for a contract for the acquisition or disposal of property or the supply of goods or services.

Updating TV Aerials

Science Park Update

Paragraph 12

Any instructions to counsel and opinion of counsel  and any advice received in connection with legal proceedings.

Changes to Waste Management Regulations

Councillor Blackmore reported that he had given permission for Councillors Henry and Fitch to remain in the meeting for the private session items.

RESOLVED:

            that the press and public be excluded during consideration of the following reports in accordance with the provisions of Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, as amended, because they involve the likely disclosure of 'exempt' information, as defined in the Paragraphs detailed below of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act.”

            Paragraphs 7 & 8

            Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person/The amount of any expenditure to be incurred by the authority under any contract

                        Empty Homes Strategy

Paragraph 9

Any terms proposed or to be proposed by or to the authority in the course of negotiations for a contract for the acquisition or disposal of property or the supply of goods or services.

Updating TV Aerials – Item withdrawn

Science Park Update

Paragraph 12

Any instructions to counsel and opinion of counsel  and any advice received in connection with legal proceedings.

Changes to Waste Management Regulations

Councillor Metcalfe submits a report.  

The Corporate Director of Housing withdrew this item.

Councillor Mugglestone submits a report.

Councillor Mugglestone submitted a report outlining recent changes to the Waste Management Regulations and the implications of these.

The Service Director (Community Protection and Wellbeing) updated the Cabinet on the most recent correspondence received from DEFRA.

RESOLVED:

that the recommendations in the report be approved, with all possible action being taken as quickly and as firmly as possible to ensure that the necessary amendment to the Regulations and/or appropriate exemption are forthcoming at the earliest opportunity.

Councillor Scuplak submits a report.

Councillor Blackmore submitted a report updating Cabinet on the current position.

RESOLVED:

that the approach to negotiations now proposed be confirmed, with a view to a further report at the earliest opportunity on the outcome.

The meeting ended at 6.52pm