To receive any apologies for absence.

There were no apologies from members of the cabinet.

To receive declarations of interests in respect of Schedule 1, Schedule 2 or Other Interests from members of the committee in respect of items on the agenda.

None.

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 28 October 2021.

Resolved:       That the minutes of the meeting held on 28 October 2021 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairperson.

To receive questions from members of the public.

Questions received and responses given are attached as appendix 1 to the minutes.

To receive questions from councillors.

Questions received and responses given are attached as appendix 2 to the minutes.

Further to the adoption of the Council’s new Integrated Waste Management Strategy in July 2021 and subsequent planning for additional commissioning this report seeks to agree the council’s preferred waste collection arrangements necessary to implement the strategy.

The cabinet member commissioning, procurement and assets introduced the item. She offered thanks to officers for their work on the proposal, to bin operatives for their hard work, particularly during the pandemic, and to all those who responded to the consultation.

The interim programme director – waste initiative and the head of environment, climate emergency and waste services summarised the key points of the report.

Cabinet members discussed the report and highlighted that:

·        Communication was essential in implementing the new collection arrangements, the council currently had very few issues with waste collection and wanted to maintain this standard;

·        Information would be provided to households on what was to be collected each week, the use of technology would be investigated to assist in this area;

·        The council had 2 years to prepare and investigate ways to mitigate challenges such as those facing residents in flats or with limited storage space;

·        There should be an emphasis on minimising food waste, while ensuring that the waste which was produced was collected regularly so it did not become a health hazard.

Group leaders and representatives also thanked bin operatives for their work and generally supported the proposals. There was a request for assurance that separation of recycling would lead to higher recycling rates and clarity on where the recycling generated in Herefordshire went. It was recognised that the proposed changes would have to be accompanied by a behaviour change campaign to reduce the amount of waste produced.

It was resolved that:

(a)             The Council supports residents to increase recycling by adopting the new waste collection model as outlined in this report with a view to being fully operational in November 2023. This includes:

a.               The introduction of a new two weekly garden waste collection service;

b.               The introduction of a new weekly food collection service;

c.               The adoption of a twin stream recycling service to enable residents to further segregate recyclable materials and;

d.               To adopt a three weekly residual collection model.

(b)             A further report is brought back to Cabinet in July 2022 outlining the capital costs that it will be recommended are added to the council’s 2022/23 capital programme to ensure successful implementation of the preferred model in terms of fleet, waste containers, equipment and depot alterations;

(c)             A further report is brought back to cabinet in July 2022 detailing service specification and seeking permission to commence the tendering process for the new service;

(d)             Authority is delegated to the Section 151 Officer to take all operational decisions to implement the above recommendations

Further to the adoption of the council’s new Integrated Waste Management Strategy in July 2021 and subsequent planning for additional commissioning this report seeks to agree the council’s preferred waste disposal arrangements necessary to implement the strategy.

The cabinet member commissioning, procurement and assets introduced the report. She highlighted the intention to extend the current contract for 5 years and the move to reduce waste to landfill to just 1% in 2022. Work would take place with local community groups to try and stop waste going into landfill.

The interim programme director – waste initiative and the head of environment, climate emergency and waste services summarised the key points of the report. They explained that better separation of recycling as set out the waste collection proposals previously discussed would result in more income for recycled material which would offset some of the increased costs in disposal. The proposed 5 year extension of the current contract would give the council time to investigate options and how to make best use of the facilities available. The council would have control over its recycling including where material was sent for processing.

The cabinet member thanked colleagues at Worcestershire County Council and the district councils within Worcestershire. She noted the continued opportunities to work together and learn from each other.

Cabinet members discussed the report and noted that the wording of the variation agreement was under discussion but the contractor understood what was expected. The proposal would generate a financial savings for both Herefordshire and Worcestershire.

Group leaders and representatives commented on the proposals. There was general support for the proposed extension of the contract. In respect of the energy from waste plant it was noted that this appeared to be used properly but the council would keep opportunities under review and explore new technologies such as carbon capture as they became viable.

Concerns were expressed about an increase in fly tipping. It was stressed that this was a criminal offence and that if waste was traced back to the producer of the waste the council would seek to prosecute. Households were urged to do due diligence on anyone offering to dispose of waste.

It was resolved that:

a)               Cabinet agrees that the current position within the Parameters set out in Appendix 1 represents an acceptable position for the council to progress Mercia Waste Management Limited's ("Mercia") proposals for extending the duration of the Waste Management Service Contract  (“WMSC”) for a period of five years until 11 January 2029 by entering into a variation of the existing WMSC

b)               Subject to recommendation (a), that the Section 151 Officer following consultation with the Service Director for Transport, Environment & Waste be authorised to negotiate the form of a variation to the existing WMSC with Mercia to put into effect Mercia’s proposals:

1)               to extend the duration of the WMSC by 5 years provided that the Variation is in compliance with the Financial, Contractual and Technical Parameters as set out in Appendix 1

2)               to vary the WMSC to achieve the council’s preferred waste collection model as determined by Cabinet in response to the accompanying Cabinet Report ‘Waste Service Review - Waste Collection’

3)               to accelerate the reduction of municipal waste to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 70.

To review performance for Quarter 2 2021/22 and the final budget outturn for the year.

To provide assurance that progress has being made towards delivery of the agreed revenue budget and service delivery targets, and that the reasons for major variances or potential under-performance are understood and are being addressed to the cabinet’s satisfaction. 

The cabinet member finance, corporate services and planning introduced the report and highlighted the key points. The projected budget outturn was noted as an underspend of £152k. The impact of covid on service delivery continued with not all areas eligible for grant funding. The capital programme was broadly on track and the re-profiling that had taken place resulted in a saving on the projected costs of borrowing. Some other planned savings were proving difficult to achieve.

Cabinet members discussed the report and highlighted key achievements and challenges from the second quarter. It was noted that the council had a legal obligation to balance its books but central government did not. Inadequate funding from central government led to a need to deliver savings.

Group leaders and representatives presented their comments on the report. Points highlighted included that:

·        the council needed to be realistic about the level of savings that could be achieved, particularly in children’s services with the improvement process currently underway;

·        investment in the Hereford Enterprise Zone was welcomed but debate continued as to whether a southern link road should be constructed;

·        communities needed support to recover from covid and a number of positive things were coming out of this;

·        it was unfortunate that savings were required but teams were to be congratulated for achieving them.

It was resolved that:

a)               Cabinet, having reviewed the performance and financial forecast for year 2021/22 as set out in appendices A – F, has not identified any additional actions to be considered to achieve future improvements.

To recommend to Council the adoption of the Herefordshire Council’s revised statement of community involvement.

The cabinet member finance, corporate services and planning introduced the report. She highlighted the importance of engagement with communities during the update of the council’s Local Plan. The Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) was a legal requirement, the current document had been adopted in 2017 and it was now due to be updated.

Cabinet members discussed the report. It was noted that determination of individual applications was based on the policy framework, currently the Core Strategy adopted in 2015, and underlying evidence base. It was important that communities responded to the consultation processes that would be taking place in 2022 to update these policies and evidence base documents.

Group leaders and representatives presented their comments and queries. In response to points raised it was noted that:

·        General scrutiny committee wanted to review the planning service in January;

·        The SCI was an outward facing document and the language used reflected this, more detail on the role of councillors was set out in other documents;

·        The council now had a near seven year land supply which gave a buffer and helped to resist unplanned developments;

·        It was important to get the policy framework right and include the right amount of flexibility, however some changes would need to be made at a national level.

It was resolved that:

a)               The revised Herefordshire Council Statement of Community Involvement at appendix A as amended in line with the table in appendix B be recommended to Council for adoption.

The meeting adjourned at 4:42pm and resumed at 4:50pm.

To approve the Maylord Orchard Interim Management Plan.

The cabinet member commissioning, procurement and assets introduced the report. She highlighted previous decisions to bring support services into Hoople.

The strategic property services manager summarised the report. He explained the strategy and improvement plan for management of the centre. A new centre manage had recently been appointed.

Cabinet members welcomed the report and were pleased to see plans to work with smaller businesses and charities.

Group leaders and representatives presented their comments. There was general support for the strategy and in response to points raised it was noted that:

·        There was a lot of interest in units in the centre despite the challenges which were facing every city centre, the council was working through plans with those businesses currently in arrears on how this could be repaid;

·        the audit and governance committee had received a report on 24 November which noted the current volatility in the value of commercial and retail property and there was an overall downward valuation in the council’s retail properties, however the council had already owned the freehold of the centre when it bought the long lease and had combined these two elements;

·        no projects would be negatively impacted by the stronger towns programme, it was expected that the projects supported would attract additional footfall and deliver social value.

It was resolved that:

a)               Cabinet approve the adoption of the Interim Management Plan for Maylord Orchards Centre;

b)               The S151 Officer in consultation with the Director of Economy and Place and following consultation with the cabinet member commissioning, procurement and assets has delegated authority to amend and update the plan as required.

To obtain approval of the procurement route, new delivery proposals and processes and to put in place appropriate delegation to approve the spend and resources required in connection with the delivery of the Section 106 schemes identified.

The cabinet member finance, corporate services and planning introduced the report. She explained the purpose of Section 106 contributions and the approach taken by the council as set out in the adopted supplementary planning document. An audit had taken place to confirm that there was adequate oversight and this had identified a need for more comprehensive reporting, consistent governance processes and consistent recording.

The council had previously approved flexibility to forward fund projects ahead of contributions being received and there should not be delay in getting infrastructure in place to support new housing. The focus would be those priorities already agreed in the delivery plan and public realm plans. This report set out the process for taking this forward and spending the outstanding monies.

Cabinet members discussed the report and confirmed that, where there was flexibility in the legal agreement associated with a contribution, the updated Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) would be used to guide the use of these funds. Parish and town councils could also use the JSNA to inform their requests for infrastructure which would inform discussions with developers.

Group leaders and representatives welcomed the report. The need to get projects moving was recognised and it was noted that the council intended to make use of local contractors where and when possible.

It was resolved that:

a)               Cabinet approves the procurement route and implementation of the new delivery proposals and processes and expenditure of up to £9.3m of Section 106 monies, including resources required, to deliver Section 106 schemes;

b)               Cabinet delegates to the Section 151 Officer to take all operational decisions relating to the above recommendations following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance, Corporate Service and Planning, the Cabinet Member for Infrastructure and Transport and the Cabinet Member for Children’s and Family Services.