Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Mrs. J. Dyer M. B. E. and Mrs M. A. Sherrey JP.

Councillor R. D. Smith declared a personal and prejudicial interest during the discussion on Agenda Item 11 (Improvement Plan Exception Report) as a member of the Bromsgrove Arts Centre Operating Trust.  

The minutes of the meetings of the Cabinet held on 3rd June and 24th June 2009 were submitted.

RESOLVED  that the minutes be approved as a correct record in each case.

(a)       To receive and note the minutes

(b)       To consider any recommendations contained within the minutes

The minutes of the meeting of the Overview Board held on 2nd June 2009 were submitted.

RESOLVED:

(a)       that the recommendations contained at Minute No 7/09 relating to the promotion of the National Older People’s Day be approved; and

(b)       that the remainder of the minutes be noted.

(a)       To receive and note the minutes

(b)       To consider any recommendations contained within the minutes

The minutes of the meeting of the Audit Board held on 8th June 2009 were submitted.

RESOLVED  that the minutes be noted.

(a)       To receive and note the minutes

(b)       To consider any recommendations contained within the minutes

The minutes of the meeting of the Joint Overview and Scrutiny Board held on 9th June 2009 were submitted.

In relation to Minute 5/09 (Hot Food Takeaways) it was noted that any recommendations from the Board in relation to policy review or development would be considered by the Cabinet.

RESOLVED  that the minutes be noted.

(a)       To receive and note the minutes

(b)       To consider any recommendations contained within the minutes

The minutes of the meeting of the Performance Management Board held on 15th June 2009 were submitted.

It was noted that as part of its discussion on the Performance Report, the Board had requested that consideration be given as to whether the target for payment of invoices within 10 days was realistic. The Head of Financial Services confirmed that this was a target which she had suggested in accordance with national guidance.

The Leader also referred to Minute No 17/09 which related to the Comprehensive Performance Assessment Report. He stated that whilst the rating of “fair” was a significant achievement, the actions of some Members had impacted negatively upon the Authority’s chances of achieving a rating of “good”.     

RESOLVED  that the minutes be noted and the recommendations contained at Minute 15/09 arising from the Performance Report be approved, subject to the discussion referred to above.  

As requested at the previous meeting of the Cabinet, the Executive Director – Partnerships and Projects gave an update on progress made in relation to work being undertaken to improve the appearance and operation of the Bus Station in Bromsgrove and the re-development of the toilet facilities.

It was reported that the timescale for the work in respect of the toilet facilities had been extended by a week as there had been a problem caused by the recent heavy rain. It was anticipated that the work would be completed by 17th July 2009.

In relation to the Bus Station area, there would be new shelters, benches, paving and improved landscaping and fencing. The work was scheduled to be completed by the proposed opening date of 3rd August 2009.

RESOLVED  that the information be noted.

The Cabinet considered a report on the proposed Revised Joint Municipal Waste Management Strategy. It was noted that the original Strategy had been adopted by all County and District Councils within Herefordshire and Worcestershire in 2004. The review of the Strategy had commenced in 2006 and had involved an extensive public consultation process which was now nearing a conclusion. It was reported that there would be a further meeting of the Joint Waste Resource Management Forum which consisted of Members and officers from Authorities within Herefordshire and Worcestershire in July.  

The original Strategy had focused on the need to restrict the growth of waste, increase recycling rates and reduce the amount of waste being disposed of in landfill sites. The performance of this Council and others within Herefordshire and Worcestershire had improved significantly in this regard. Government Strategy was now more focused on the contribution made by waste collection, treatment and disposal to climate change and on the need to regard waste as a resource from which a value could be obtained. There was a need for the revised Strategy to reflect the changing priorities and to be in accordance with new statutory guidance issued by Central Government. 

Members were generally in favour of the principles and broad aims of the Strategy. There were concerns expressed however, in relation to the Residual Waste Options Appraisal. Of particular concern were the assumptions made in prioritising options for residual waste disposal and the failure to allocate weighting to the selection criteria. In addition it was felt the possibility of achieving waste treatment solutions on a regional basis had not been fully explored. These concerns had been set out fully in the letter to the County Council dated 15th May 2009 which was attached to the report and which formed the Council’s response to the Strategy. It was noted that Redditch Borough Council had expressed similar views.

The Head of Street Scene and Community reported that the County Council appeared to have accepted the reservations expressed and were revisiting the issues raised. It was intended that a further report be submitted to Cabinet in September or October when the final outcome of the consultation process would be known.

Members also requested that an Equality Impact Assessment be undertaken and attached to the forthcoming report. 

RESOLVED 

(a)       that the current position be noted;

(b)       that the broad aims of the Strategy be supported in principle, however, in view of the strong reservations referred to above and in the letter sent to the County Council dated 15th May 2009, the Strategy be not endorsed until further consideration of the residual waste option is undertaken; and

(c)        that the Head of Street Scene and Community be requested to report further on the issue when the consultation process is complete.        

Consideration was given to a report which detailed the results of a survey into the travel habits of Members and officers.

The survey had been undertaken in the light of the requirement for the Council to reduce its carbon emissions and to measure performance against National Indicator 185.

The Executive Director – Partnerships and Projects reported that it was intended that the Council’s Climate Change Group would consider the survey in detail and would produce an action plan to address the issues raised in the report.

RESOLVED:

(a)       that the results of the Travel Survey be noted;

(b)       that the targets for travel habits of Members and officers in connection with Council activities be noted; and

(c)        that performance and implementation against the targets be reported to and monitored by the Council’s Climate Change Group and that an interim progress report be submitted to the Cabinet after six months followed by a full review of progress in twelve months.  

Consideration was given to the Improvement Plan Exception Report for April 2009, together with the corrective action being taken.

There was concern regarding the delay in signing a Service Level Agreement in respect of the Artrix. The Deputy Head of Street Scene and Community briefly outlined the current position and the possible courses of action available. It was noted that a further discussion was due to take place with the Operating Trust shortly and that if necessary, following that discussion, the way forward could be reconsidered.  

RESOLVED:

(a)       that the revisions to the Improvement Plan Exception Report together with the corrective actions being taken be noted and approved; and

(b)       that it be noted that for the 93 actions highlighted for April within the plan, 76.3 percent as on target (green), 5.4 percent was one month behind (amber) and 3.4 percent was over one month behind (red). In addition the actions which had been reprogrammed with approval were listed in the report.    

The Cabinet considered a report on a proposed new Improvement Plan for 2009/2010. It was noted that the Improvement Plan was based on the key deliverables and outcome measures contained in the Council Plan 2009/2010.

During the discussion on this matter it was noted that the Performance Management Board would be considering the new Improvement Plan at its next meeting. Reference was also made to the intention to produce revised Terms of Reference for the Board.

RECOMMENDED   that the new Improvement Plan 2009/2010 be approved.