Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors Gould and Lynch.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 29 October 2014.

On the motion of Councillor Bray, seconded by Councillor Bill, it was

RESOLVED – the minutes of the meeting held on 29 October 2014 be confirmed and signed by the Chairman.

Report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Community Direction).

Members were advised of the Collective Switching Scheme which could assist residents of the borough to switch energy suppliers. It was moved by Councillor Mullaney, seconded by Councillor Cope and

RESOLVED –

(i)            The principles of Collective Switching be noted and the development of a scheme using the support of the LGA preferred provider, iChoosr, be agreed;

(ii)           The appetite of neighbouring authorities to join a Collective Switching Scheme be explored;

(iii)          Recent announcements of councils providing energy be explored with a view to bringing a report to a future meeting if appropriate.

Report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Community Direction).

The Executive was informed of the outcome of the consultation with council tenants on the Tenancy Agreement, the Succession of Council Tenancies policy and the Recharge Policy and wished to acknowledge the positive contribution of tenants. It was moved by Councillor Mullaney, seconded by Councillor Cope and

RESOLVED –

(i)            The outcome of the consultation be noted;

(ii)           The adoption of the Tenancy Agreement, following the statutory notice to tenants, be approved;

(iii)          The adoption of the Successions policy with immediate effect be approved;

(iv)         The adoption of the Recharge policy from 1 April 2015 be approved.

Report of Deputy Chief Executive (Corporate Direction).

Members were updated on the sustainability strand of the Housing Investment Strategy and the intention to install PV panels on identified properties. It was moved by Councillor Bray, seconded by Councillor Mullaney and

RESOLVED – the principle of installing PV panels on housing properties be supported.

Report of Deputy Chief Executive (Community Direction).

A report on the Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment Review 2014 was presented to the Executive. It was moved by Councillor Bray, seconded by Councillor Mullaney and

RESOLVED – the findings of the review be noted and the Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment be approved for use as part of the evidence base for the submission version of the Site Allocations and Development Management Policies DPD.

Report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Corporate Direction).

Members gave consideration to a report which recommended writing off of debts over £10,000 in respect of outstanding business rates and also detailed sums written off under delegated powers. On the motion of Councillor Bray, seconded by Councillor Cope, it was

RESOLVED – the business rate write offs detailed in part 3.5 of the report be approved.

Report of Deputy Chief Executive (Corporate Direction).

The Executive was requested to consider a supplementary budget to fund the cost of a Business Rates Maximisation Review. It was moved by Councillor Bray, seconded by Councillor Cope and

RESOLVED –

(i)            A supplementary budget of £31,423 be approved;

(ii)           The projected income generation be noted.

Report of Deputy Chief Executive (Community Direction).

Members were requested to consider a supplementary budget to fund the dry recycling charges. It was moved by Councillor Bray, seconded by Councillor Cope and

RESOLVED –

(i)            The supplementary budget expenditure of £43,000 to fund the cost of increased dry recycling charges be approved;

(ii)           A supplementary income budget of -£43,000 to reflect the higher than expected recycling credit income be approved;

(iii)          The cost neutral financial impact be noted.

Report of Deputy Chief Executive (Community Direction).

Members gave consideration to implementing a charge for the provision of waste management containers and to revising the current practice of returning to collect wheeled bins or containers not presented by residents for collection at the scheduled time. It was noted that charges would not be made for lost containers, only for those where self-damage is evident. It was moved by Councillor Bray, seconded by Councillor Witherford and

RESOLVED –

(i)            The implementation of charges for the provision and delivery of waste management containers be approved;

(ii)           The revision to the current practice of returning for non-presented wheeled bins or containers be approved;

(iii)          The Wheeled Bin and Container Policy be updated to reflect the changes.

Report of Deputy Chief Executive (Community Direction).

The Executive received a report which informed members of the assessment made in relation to articles 10 and 11 of the revised Waste Framework Directive. It was moved by Councillor Bray, seconded by Councillor Cope and

RESOLVED –

(i)            The assessment made to continue existing arrangements for the collection of dry recyclables be endorsed;

(ii)           The position be reviewed in conjunction with the expiry of the external contract for dry recycling services with Palm Recycling in 2018 against current and any subsequent guidance issued.

Councillor Crooks arrived at 6.38pm.

Members received a report which recommended an extension to the on-farm composting contract with J & F Powner Ltd to March 2017 to enable future provision of the service to be determined. It was reported that this arrangement saved time and transport costs. Some members expressed concern about future decisions that would have to be made with regard to recycling. It was moved by Councillor Crooks, seconded by Councillor Witherford and

RESOLVED – the extension to the on-farm composting contract with J & F Powner Ltd to March 2017 be approved.

Report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Community Direction).

The Executive gave consideration to bringing the Car Parks Enforcement service in house from April 2015. It was noted that this would be car parks only, and not on-street parking enforcement. It was moved by Councillor Bray, seconded by Councillor Crooks and

RESOLVED –

(i)            The termination of the parking enforcement arrangements with Harborough District Council be approved;

(ii)           The establishment of in house civil enforcement provision be approved;

(iii)          The budget changes as agreed in the financial implications section of the report be agreed;

(iv)         Authority be delegated to the Head of Street Scene Services and the Executive Member for car parks to implement these changes.