Agenda and draft minutes

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Contact: Nichola Turnbull 

Items
No. Item

25.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Castle and Robinson.

26.

FORWARD PLAN OF CABINET DECISIONS pdf icon PDF 107 KB

To note the latest Forward Plan of key decisions.  Any further changes made to the Forward Plan will be reported to the Committee.

Minutes:

The Committee considered the Forward Plan of key decisions (August to November 2021).  (Schedule enclosed with the signed minutes).

 

RESOLVED that the report be noted.

SCRUTINY OF CABINET REPORTS

The Committee were advised that the following reports would be considered by the Cabinet on 9 November 2021.  Members were requested to comment on the proposals in the reports.

27a

Northumberland Waste Management Strategy - Outcome of Kerbside Glass Recycling Collection Trial pdf icon PDF 1 MB

To report the key outcomes of the kerbside glass recycling pilot scheme which has been in operation since November 2020 and to recommend the next steps for this scheme and the estimated costs for rolling-out a kerbside glass collection service across the county. The report will also highlight how the roll-out and timing for this enhanced glass recycling service will be dependent upon the outcome of the latest consultation exercises undertaken as part of the Government’s new Resources and Waste Strategy and provision of new burdens funding by the Government.

Minutes:

The report presented the key outcomes of the kerbside glass recycling pilot scheme in operation since November 2020 and recommended the next steps for the scheme.  (A copy of the report is enclosed with the signed minutes.)

 

Paul Jones, Service Director – Local Services, commented that the kerbside glass recycling trial had achieved an average annual yield of 72kg per household compared to an anticipated 41 kg per household.  He explained that it had been anticipated that the scheme would have an impact on glass collection at bring sites.  However, the Covid-19 pandemic and closure of hospitality venues earlier in the year had resulted in a 22% increase in glass collection at HWRC’s and bring sites, which meant the impact of the trial on diversion rates from these facilities could not be determined.

 

It was therefore proposed to extend the trial until 31 March 2023 in order to provide a more accurate baseline and improve confidence in the data.  There was also capacity to increase the number of households participating in the trial from 1000 to 1200 at each of the four locations.  This would improve the value and productivity of the pilot.

 

Confirmation of new burdens funding for local authorities was expected by the end of 2022 with enhanced kerbside recycling collection services required in an Environmental Bill to come into effect in 2023/24.  Collection of good quality glass material with low contamination meant that the material being collected could be used for remelt.  This was environmentally beneficial, offering a positive carbon impact which outweighed the transportation activity.

 

Councillor Riddle, Portfolio Holder for Local Services, expressed his support for the initiative which had been well received by residents using the service.  Unfortunately, it was not possible to roll the scheme out county wide until funding was made available by the Government.

 

The following information was provided in answer to questions from members:

 

·        Benchmarking information had been obtained from the Waste and Recycling Action Programme (WRAP).

·        Modelling work in 2019 considered the changes required to meet obligations to collect a broader range of dry recycling at the kerbside including glass and also potentially food waste.  A separate trial for the collection of food waste was also being actively considered.

·        The Council had made a significant investment in wheeled bins, refuse collection vehicles and the sorting plant which were working extremely well in Northumberland resulting in high quality recycled material.

·        The 800 additional homes were located next to the existing pilot areas in order to maximise return and reduce travelling time between the routes and the disposal site.

·        The Government had been consistent in its messaging in that new burdens funding would be provided to local authorities to enable increased kerbside recycling services.  To expand the service now would place a significant additional financial burden on taxpayers with an estimated £1.25 million in annual revenue costs and £4.2 million capital costs for vehicles and containers for the glass collection which would rise for a separate food waste collection and a broader  ...  view the full minutes text for item 27a

27b

Report on a Policy for Street Naming and Numbering pdf icon PDF 438 KB

To set out the proposed policy for the identification and allocation of appropriate names for streets in the County.

Minutes:

The report set out the proposed policy for the identification and allocation of appropriate names for streets in the County.  (A copy of the report is enclosed with the signed minutes).

 

Philip Soderquest, Head of Housing and Public Protection, explained that a review had been undertaken of the policy which was currently in place with a small number of updates as the policy had worked well.  The Council only intervened on a small number of occasions when there was disagreement between developers and parish and town councils or other consultees.

 

The policy set out the criteria for developers to follow and how a proposed street name was assessed to determine whether it was acceptable.  Clear naming and numbering was required to ensure the effective delivery of mail, location of addresses for emergency services and identification of properties for the efficient collection of Council Tax and NNDR.

 

The policy made provision to allow deviation where this was required, in a very small number of cases, and required agreement by the Head of Housing and Public Protection in consultation with the portfolio holder and other partners, as appropriate.

 

Councillor Horncastle, Portfolio Holder for Community Services supported the updated policy which was set out the process clearly to ensure street naming and numbering was logical.

 

The following information was provided in response to questions from Members:

 

·        Discussions would be held with officers to ensure that consultation was held with relevant parties to ensure proposals were appropriate as there could be disagreement if suggestions were not archeologically relevant or accurate.  It was noted that branding and names were often finalised by developers prior to discussions with the local authority or construction on site.  These should be held at the earliest opportunity.

·        Officers would check whether street naming and numbering could be incorporated within planning conditions to ensure a timely decision for the delivery of materials and equipment on site.

·        Existing street names were only changed in exceptional circumstances.  The reason for a change would be considered.  Consultation would include town or parish councils and may include residents.  Concerns regarding an anticipated application would be discussed after the meeting.

 

The updated policy was supported by members who commented that:

 

·        It was appropriate that the final decision was made by the local authority.

·        The identification of a lead officer was welcomed.

 

RESOLVED that the Cabinet be advised that the Committee supported the recommendations in the report subject to a review of the consultation process with Town and Parish Councils.

28.

Communities and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee Work Programme and Monitoring Report pdf icon PDF 126 KB

The Overview and Scrutiny Committee operates within a work programme which is agreed at the start of the Council year.  The programme is reviewed at each meeting so that it can be adjusted to reflect the wishes of the Committee and take account of any changes to the latest Forward Plan (which outlines decisions to be taken by the Cabinet).  The Committee is asked to review and note its work programme for the 2021/22 council year.

Minutes:

The Committee reviewed its work programme for the 2021/22 council year.  (Report enclosed with the signed minutes).

 

It was agreed that due to the scheduled LTP workshops in November which would include an induction on the LTP process and highways maintenance, it was proposed that a review of any unresolved highways issues be deferred to a later scrutiny meeting.  An update on Neighbourhood Services would be considered at the next meeting on 1 December 2021.

 

It was noted that the following reports could also be deferred:

 

·        Active Travel and Road Safety

·        Customer Complaints Update

 

Members were asked to contact the Scrutiny Co-ordinator with suggestions for the work programme for future meetings.

 

RESOLVED that the work programme be noted.

29.

URGENT BUSINESS

To consider such other business as, in the opinion of the Chair, should, by reason of special circumstances, be considered as a matter of urgency.

Minutes:

The Chair reported that this would be his last meeting as Chair as he was to be replaced by Councillor Reid at the next meeting of County Council on 3 November 2021.

 

Councillor Mather, Vice-Chair, on behalf of the committee, thanked Councillor Oliver for the work he had undertaken as Chair.  He commented on the importance of the role of scrutiny for the Council.

 

Several other members expressed their gratitude and disappointment that Councillor Oliver would not be continuing as Chair.