Meeting documents

Cabinet
Thursday 7 October 2004 6.30 pm

Date:
Thursday, 7th October, 2004
Time:
6.30 pm
Place:
Council Chamber, Civic Centre, Arnot Hill Park, Arnold
 

Attendance Details

ItemDescriptionResolution
65 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE.
 Apologies for absence were received from Councillors A Clarke and Poynter.
66 TO APPROVE AS A CORRECT RECORD THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 2ND SEPTEMBER 2004.
 RESOLVED: That the above minutes be approved as a correct record.
67 DECLARATION OF INTERESTS.
 None were received.
68 PRESENTATION BY MARTIN GAWITH, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF NOTTINGHAM PARTNERSHIPS - CORE CITY STATUS.
Business for item 68
RESOLVED: To thank Martin Gawith for his presentation.
69 PARTNERSHIP WORKING.
Business for item 69
RESOLVED: To endorse the concept of Partnership Working as defined within the report.
70 TERMINATION OF HIGHWAYS AGENCY - REDISTRIBUTION OF REMAINING FUNCTIONS OF ENGINEERING AND PROPERTY DEPARTMENT.
Business for item 70
After consideration it was:-

RESOLVED: That with effect from 31 March 2005:

1.The Estates & Valuation Section be transferred to the Legal & Administrative Services Department.

2.That the Head of Legal & Administrative Services be given the role of Corporate Property Officer as defined in the Asset Management Strategy.

3.That the Building Services Section be transferred to the Direct Services Department.

4.That responsibility for the remaining engineering functions of the Council be transferred to the Direct Services Department to be incorporated with the Building Services Section into a new Technical Services Section.

5.That the Head of Direct Services take over responsibility for emergency planning.

6.That the Head of Finance take over responsibility for business continuity, planning and dealing with any remaining highway insurance issues.

7.That the Head of Direct Services, Head of Legal & Administrative Services and the Head of Finance consider and report back on any detailed implementation issues arising from these proposals.

8.That the post of Head of Engineering and Property be disestablished.
71 HOUSING AND COUNCIL TAX BENEFIT STRATEGY.
Business for item 71
RESOLVED:
To endorse the Housing and Council Tax Benefit Strategy 2005/2007 as submitted at Appendix A to the report.
72 MEMBERS QUESTIONS TO PORTFOLIO HOLDERS.
(VERBAL)
Business for item 72
 
73 ORGANIC GARDEN WASTE SCHEME.
Business for item 73
After consideration it was:-

RESOLVED:
1.To approve the concept of introducing a chargeable organic garden waste collection service at the rates proposed in the report.

2.That the full consultation exercise be undertaken on the principles outlined in this report using the next edition of the Contacts Magazine and that the outcome of the consultation process be reported to the Cabinet meeting in January 2005.
74 JOINT WORKING - WASTE MANAGEMENT.
Business for item 74
RESOLVED:
To confirm the decision to delay the project until the Summer of 2005 with a planned introduction of any new initiatives in October 2005.
75 RECYCLING CREDIT PAYMENT SCHEME.
Business for item 75
RESOLVED:
That the contribution from Nottinghamshire County Council be accepted and that the Head of Direct Services be authorised to respond to the consultation paper on the future of recycling credits on behalf of the Council.
76 INTRODUCTION OF CHARGING FOR CAR PARKS.
Business for item 76
After consideration it was:-

RESOLVED:
1. To defer consideration of the details of the proposed introduction of charges for car parking.

2.To thank the officers for their work in undertaking the consultation exercise and in producing the report.
77 GREENHOUSES AND PARK VIEW.
Business for item 77
After consideration it was:-

RESOLVED:
1.That the greenhouses be demolished and the area made safe, as indicated in the report at an estimated cost of £7,500, the cost to be met from existing budgets.

2.That the PCT vacate the accommodation in Arnot Hill House with effect from the end of March 2005.

3.That the CVS and the Registrar vacate the Park View accommodation, subject to further discussions before July/August 2005.

4.That further consideration be given to the future use of the site of the Greenhouses and Park View.
78 HISTORIC AND ENVIRONMENT CHAMPIONS.
Business for item 78
After consideration it was:-

RESOLVED:
To nominate Councillor Grainger to undertake the role of Historic Environment Champion for the Authority.
79 PROGRESS REPORTS FROM PORTFOLIO HOLDERS.
(VERBAL)
Business for item 79
RESOLVED:
To note the information.
80 FORWARD PLAN 1 NOVEMBER 2004 TO 28 FEBRUARY 2005.
 RESOLVED:
To approve the Forward Plan.
81 ANY OTHER ITEMS WHICH THE CHAIRMAN CONSIDERS URGENT.
 None.
82 POLICE COMMUNITY SUPPORT OFFICERS.
Business for item 82
 
The meeting closed at 8.10 pm.

Attendance Details

Present:
P. Feeney, I.S. Gollop, G.J. Griffiths, R.J. Nicholson, R.F. Spencer
Observers:
A.J. Gillam, G.J. Griffiths, J.M. Parr

Business

Business
ItemBusiness
68The Executive Director of Nottingham Partnerships gave a presentation on Core City Status.
69The Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report outlining a suggested framework for Partnership Working between Gedling Borough Council and Rushcliffe Borough Council.

The report outlined the reasons behind the proposal and Appendix 1 showed examples of co-operation of partnership working and Appendix 2 showed a draft protocol and underlying principles for Joint Partnership Working.

It was reported that discussions had also been held with East Northamptonshire Council and Nottingham PCT.
70The Chief Executive reminded Members of the decision of the Cabinet on 6 November 2003 to terminate the Highways Agency Agreement and the subsequent agreement of the Personnel & Resources Committee, that the Engineering & Property Department be disbanded with effect from 31 March 2005. The Chief Executive reported on proposals with regard to the future responsibility for the non agency functions fulfilled by the Head of Engineering and Property and his department.

The report detailed the current position and the remaining issues to be taken into account.
71Consideration was given to a report of the Head of Finance on Housing and Council Tax Benefit Strategy.
72Councillor Parr asked the Chairman if the Council had a procurement strategy and if not, when would we be likely to have one, given that the Government required Local Authorities to adopt a strategy.

The Chairman answered "yes" and the Deputy Chief Executive reported that a substantial amount of work had been undertaken with regard to partnership working, externalisation, customer relationships and it was anticipated that substantial savings would be realised following the introduction of the procurement strategy.
73The Head of Direct Services submitted a report informing the Cabinet of proposals for a chargeable organic garden waste collection service to all domestic properties in Gedling Borough. The report requested the Cabinet's view on changes to the waste collection policy as a consequence of operating an organic garden waste collection scheme and clarified the consultation requirements, taking into consideration the proposals outlined in the report.
74Consideration was given to a report of the Head of Direct Services updating members on the progress with regard to joint working and waste management initiatives.

The report referred to the Cabinet meeting held on 26 February 2004 on the possibility of working with neighbouring authorities on waste management initiatives and, in particular, a scheme to collect materials for recyling from local traders was considered.

Unfortunately, there seemed to be a reluctance by all the authorities to get involved in this project. The new waste disposal PFI contract in each authority's commitment to rolling out twin bins for recyclates had resulted in this project being a low priority for them.

It was clear that the timing for such an initiative was wrong for neighbouring authorities and the Borough Council as all the authorities were heavily engaged in twin bin implementation and working with Nottinghamshire County Council on the waste disposal PFI contract. However, it was still felt that this was the best way forward for waste management in that joint working would be the most efficient and economical way of introducing new initiatives.

It was proposed therefore that the project be suspended until the Summer of 2005 and that as lead authority October 2005 be targeted as the implementation date.
75The Head of Direct Services submitted a report advising members of the Government's Consultation paper on changes to the recycling credit scheme.

The report also informed members of the financial contribution of £25,000 offered by Nottinghamshire County Council for 2004/05 towards the costs being incurred by the Authority in implementing the twin bin scheme.


The future proposals for payment of recycling credits were based on introducing flexibility into the recycling credit scheme and promoting joint working. DEFRA had identified three options and the response to this consultation was required by 22 October 2004.

Although it was the responsibility of the Portfolio Member for Direct Services to respond on this consultation, it was felt that Cabinet Members should consider these options and have an opportunity to advise on the consultation process. Submitted at Appendix 1 was the section of the consultation paper specifically related to the payment of recycling credits.

If option 1 were selected then the average cost of disposal within the County of Nottinghamshire was £35.95 per tonne. The County had averaged this figure last year and all authorities were now paid the same allowance and therefore, it was not expected that the amount would be reduced. As the landfill tax element of disposal was increased it was the opinion of the Head of Direct Services that the Council should accept the capping level proposed on future recycling credit proposals.
76Consideration was given to a report of the Head of Engineering and Property on behalf of the Chief Executive advising the Cabinet of the current position concerning the introduction of charges for car parking, particularly in respect of the outcomes of the consultation process, and asking the Cabinet to consider the next steps.
77Consideration was given to a report of the Head of Engineering and Property on behalf of the Direct Services & Property Portfolio Holder advising the Cabinet of the current position with regard to the occupation of the greenhouses and Park View and the implications for future management and impact on accommodation.
78The Head of Planning & Environment reported that the Government was encouraging local authorities to appoint an Historic Environment Champion within their management structures.

English Heritage had produced a Guidance Note setting out in some detail what Historic Environment Champions might do and achieve.

A copy of the Guidance Note was attached.

It was also reported that the Council's Design Champion was Mr. R. Wilson, the Local Plans Manager.
79Finance

·Break-ins - Leader intended to submit recommendations from Officers to Group Leaders for consideration.

Agenda 21 and Crime Reduction

·CPR Meeting - reduction in crime - discussions
·Discussion - Drug and Alcohol Action Team
·Sherwood Project - targeting persistent offenders
·LSP - Youth event Mapperley Plains Social Club and recognition of work by Councillor McCrossen
·Arnold and Killisick Residents Meeting AGM
·Crime Audit Meetings

Development & Economic Regeneration
·Update on Local Plan - awaiting examination in public report
·Strategic Environment Assessment recommendation

Leisure

·Consultation on groundwork schemes
·Killisick childrens' playground
·Skateboard Park
·King George V
·Wheldon School
·Standhill Recreation Ground
·Meeting with Leisure Portfolio Holder at Nottingham County Council re Bestwood Country Park - problems with travellers.
·Pumping House - visitors centre
·Gedling Colliery Site - awaiting Consultants report
·Four new black swans at Arnot Hill Park

Direct Services

·Thank Cabinet for support
·Problems with plastics recycling
82Prior to the commencement of the meeting the Mayor expressed his appreciation to a group of Police Community Support Officers some of whom had been involved in the arrest of an offender in the Calverton area.