Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies were received from Councillor Bray.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 8 January 2025.

It was moved by Councillor Cartwright, seconded by Councillor Crooks and

                        RESOLVED – the minutes of the meeting held on 8 January be                              approved as a correct record.

No interests were declared at the meeting.

To update on recent changes to waste collections announced by DEFRA.

Members were updated on the recent changes to waste collections announced by Government. Members thanked officers for the work in responding to and implementing the national requirements.

It was moved by Councillor Cartwright, seconded by Councillor Bools and

                    RESOLVED –

(i)              The Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) payment to be received in 2025/26, and the potential impact on future funding settlements from government be noted;

(ii)             The dry recycling collection system remained a fully co-mingled collection and that a TEEP assessment be completed, and agreed by SLT;

(iii)           No changes be made to the residual waste collections given the proposals for local government reorganisation;

(iv)           An update be issued to all Councillors.

To seek agreement of the car parks action plan 2024 to 2028.

Members received a report on the car parks study undertaken in 2023.

Members welcomed the report and thanked officers for their work on this.

In response to questions from members it was confirmed that:

-        Although fake QR codes were becoming a problem nationwide, the machines were checked twice a day, and if fake stickers were found they were removed immediately;

-        When the Church Walk car park was re-aligned the bay sizes were made significantly bigger;

-        The extension of on street free parking stays planned by LCC was welcomed and would encourage more people into the town centre.

It was proposed by Councillor Crooks, seconded by Councillor Cartwright and

                    RESOLVED –

(i)              The car parks study 2023 and action plan would be included in the local plan evidence base;

(ii)             The car park action plan 2024-2028 be approved;

(iii)           There would be no change to the action plan following the comments received from the Town Centre Partnership.

To update on key achievements arising from the Voluntary & Community Sector partnership arrangements and supporting activities.

This report was considered by the Scrutiny Commission at its meeting on 13 March and an extract from the draft minutes of that meeting is attached.

Members were updated on the key achievements arising from the Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) partnership arrangements and supporting activities.

Members welcomed this report and thanked officers for their work on this and the outcomes improving wellbeing, community cohesion, and confirmed that the work should be celebrated.

It was moved by Councillor Mullaney, seconded by Councillor Cartwright and

                        RESOLVED –

(i)            That the positive impact, outcomes and contribution the voluntary and community sector and its many volunteers made was endorsed along with the partnership arrangements and the direct commissioning of the VCS frontline service provision;

(ii)          That the positive work undertaken be promoted and publicised.

To update on the work undertaken in response to the cost of living crisis.

This report was considered by the Scrutiny Commission at its meeting on 13 March and an extract from the draft minutes of that meeting is attached.

Members were updated on the work undertaken by the authority in response to the cost of living crisis and the key achievements and workstreams in relation to those experiencing financial hardship.

In response to questions from members, it was confirmed that:-

-        A community grant could be applied for to support the uniform swop shop;

-        A Prom dress swop proposal would be worked up and introduced;

-        Councillors would be invited to the Health & Wellbeing Cost of Living event on 6 June.

It was proposed by Councillor Mullaney, seconded by Councillor Cartwright and

                    RESOLVED –

(i)              That the extensive work undertaken by the authority supporting residents be endorsed and publicised;

(ii)             That that increase in demand upon services due to the cost of living crises is acknowledged.

(iii)           That provision of school equipment, such as calculators, be considered along with sanitary products.

To provide an update on work undertaken in relation to children and young people.

This report was considered by the Scrutiny Commission at its meeting on 13 March and an extract from the draft minutes of that meeting is attached.

Members were updated on the work undertaken in relation to chidren and young people.

It was proposed by Councillor Mullaney, seconded by Councillor Cartwright and

                    RESOLVED –

(i)              The content of the report be acknowledged and endorsed;

(ii)             The work undertaken by the authority to support young people in the Borough to meet their full potential and be protected from harm be acknowledged and endorsed;

(iii)           The work undertaken to ensure children and young people had the opportunity to influence matters which affect them be acknowledged and endorsed;

(iv)           Thank you be extended to the children and young people for engaging, including the work of the teachers and schools.

To update on recent grant funding received from government to meet homelessness, rough sleeping and asylum dispersal delivery and pressures and request approval of associated income and expenditure budgets.

Members received a report on the recent grant funding contributions received to meet asylum dispersal delivery and pressures within the Borough.

In response to a question from members around the funding, it was confirmed that as they had very low numbers in the Borough the funding would be sufficient.

It was proposed by Councillor Cartwright, seconded by Councillor Crooks and

                    RESOLVED –

(i)              The funding contributions received be noted;

(ii)             The associated income and expenditure budgets be approved.

To inform members of recent grant funding contributions received from government to meet homelessness rough sleeping pressures and seek approval of associated income and expenditure budgets.

Members received a report on the recent grant funding received to meet homelessness rough sleeping pressures within the Borough.

It was proposed by Councillor Cartwright, seconded by Councillor Crooks and

                    RESOLVED –

(i)              The funding contributions received be noted;

(ii)             The associated income and expenditure budgets be approved.

To report on performance of Street Scene Services.

Members received a report on the performance of Street Scene Services.

It was proposed by Councillor Hodgkins, seconded by Councillor Cartwright and

                    RESOLVED -

(i)              The front-line workers, Streetscene service managers and volunteers across the Borough be thanked for their hard work and support;

(ii)             The report be endorsed.