Question by Councillor Ellwood
"In view of the fact that the Borough Council's Playing Pitch Strategy was last published in August 2016, when does the Council expect to review the Strategy and publish a revised version of the Strategy document?"
Question by Councillor Elliott
“Can the Portfolio holder for the Environment provide an update on the Council’s progress of u-turning on its smaller household waste bin size policy?”
Minutes:
Questions were received from Councillors Ellwood and Elliott, as follows:
Question by Councillor Ellwood
"In view of the fact that the Borough Council's Playing Pitch Strategy was last published in August 2016, when does the Council expect to review the Strategy and publish a revised version of the Strategy document?"
Response by Councillor Wheeler
“The Council’s last Playing Pitch Strategy (PPS) was published in August 2016. As a general guide, if no review and subsequent update has been carried out within three years of the PPS being adopted, Sport England and the relevant national governing bodies of sport (NGBs) typically would consider the PPS and the information on which it is based to be technically ‘out of date’. However, this ‘grace period’ extends up to five years where the original PPS has been updated. For further context over 2018/19 a national piece of work undertaken by the FA, Football Foundation and DCMS in partnership with local authorities to develop Local Football Facility Plans (LFFP’s) for every local authority area in England. The LFFP’s were due to be published in late 2019, however this didn’t take place until Nov 2020. The refresh of our PPS was due to take place Spring/Summer 2020, following work on the development of the LFFP. Unfortunately, the deliverability of this was significantly impacted by the global pandemic, both locally and nationally.
However, our officers have worked hard, with local and national partners to by-in-large deliver the main strategic aims of the 2016 PPS; including four new artificial grass pitches (AGP’s) including Redhill Leisure Centre/Academy, Carlton-le-Willows Academy (which were both funded via the Football Foundation and match-funding from GBC and the Academies), Goosedale Sport Club (in Bestwood Village) and the Carlton Football Centre, at Carlton Academy. Additionally, we have received Football Foundation funding to deliver a new pavilion and natural grass pitch (NGP) improvements at Lambley Lane Recreation Ground, with works due to take place later this Spring/Summer. These alongside other smaller community facility improvements across the Borough.
Additionally, since joining us on 1 March 2022 our new Corporate Director has commenced a wide-ranging strategic review which will inform our current and future proposals/requirements, primarily via an overarching Strategic Outcomes Planning Model (SOPM) - which is code for ‘why’, ‘where’, ‘what’, ‘how’ and for ‘whom’ councils can transform their local play, sport, physical activity, wellbeing and community facilities and services sustainably for their citizens and communities. As part of the wide-ranging strategic review a new PPS will be commissioned, alongside other strategies being developed and/or refreshed. The existence of a robust and up-to-date strategies (including a PPS) via an overarching SOPM can be of significant benefit to a wide variety of parties and agendas;
· Enhance and maintain relationships between parties with an interest in provision within these facilities
· Ensure the best use of available resources to develop and deliver the strategy(ies)
· Develop a locally specific and tailored approach
· Understand the supply of and demand for these facilities within the Borough
· Assess and understand whether there is enough provision to meet both the current and future demand
· Highlight the key findings and issues with the provision of these facilities and ancillary facilities
· Develop a strong place-, sport- and site-specific set of recommendations and action plan that a range of parties are committed to delivering
· Co-ordinate current and future resources and investment in facility provision in a place to secure the maximum benefit to sport and value for money
· Ensure the strategy is kept robust and up to date.
The current timescales for the strategic review are for this to be completed towards the end of 2022, and adopted/published in spring 2023.
Question by Councillor Elliott
“Can the Portfolio holder for the Environment provide an update on the Council’s progress of u-turning on its smaller household waste bin size policy?”
Response by Councillor Payne
“Domestic waste collection across the borough is undertaken by Gedling Borough Council as the Waste Collection Authority, whilst the recycling, reprocessing, treatment and disposal of waste from the seven district and borough councils in Nottinghamshire is managed by Nottinghamshire County Council as the Waste Disposal Authority. It is important to note that although both Gedling Borough Council and Nottinghamshire County Council have a role in collecting, processing and disposing of waste, as local authorities, we cannot control where waste comes from or significantly influence the manufacturing process.
A long-term waste disposal contract between Nottinghamshire County Council and Veolia also stipulates what materials can and cannot be recycled.
Following consultation earlier this year, Gedling Borough Council has revised our Waste and Recycling Policy to support the Council’s Carbon Management Strategy, to promote a sustainable environment, and to address areas of current under-performance in relation to recycling rates and levels of recycling contamination through a formalised and standardised approach.
The policy operates within the current legal framework and includes the Nottinghamshire Principles for the Reduction of Contamination. The policy provides the framework for:
· A proportionate and considered approach to waste collection across the Borough
· Clarity and communication for residents to support GBC’s recycling targets
· Reduction in black bin (residual) waste
· Increase in recycling rates
· Reduction in contamination of waste streams
· Clarity of measures that will be taken for those who continually contaminate or do not comply with the policy
· Minimisation of the carbon impact of the Waste Service, including fleet mileage and route optimisation
The Standard Service for Individual Domestic Properties will be a minimum of a 240L wheeled black bin for residual waste and a 240L wheeled green bin for mixed recycling (excluding glass) with each being collected fortnightly. For Multiple Occupancy Properties (e.g. flats or apartments) large communal wheeled bins will be provided (where this is practical) to enable residents to recycle their recyclable waste and to dispose of any residual waste that cannot be recycled. All multiple occupancy properties shall receive the same fortnightly collection service.
Additionally, recyclable materials presented as ‘side waste’ on the green bin collection date will be collected, provided that it is not contaminated, and is presented in a way that it can be easily handled. Furthermore, the Council provides a kerbside small (laptop size) WEEE recycling collection service from domestic properties. Residents can place items left on top the black or green bin and this will be collected on the same collection day.”
Follow up question by Councillor Elliott
“As a result of the smaller bin policy at Gedling Borough Council, some residents in the borough now have a 180L waste bin. How does the council plan to provide those households with a 240L bin?”
Response from Councillor Payne
“The draft policy that was consulted on, set out a proposal to offer 240L bins as standard to all households consisting of 1-5 residents and further capacity offered for larger households. The council also has policy that allows households to have as many green bins as required.
The waste and recycling policy will be going to Cabinet after the Gedling ward by-election has happened and the pre-election period has passed.”