Agenda, decisions and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Clare Billing, Jean Green, Ben Lewis and Gerald Morris.

Councillor Adrian Smith substituted for Councillor Billing. Councillor John Bishop substituted for Councillor Green, Councillor Paul Marment substituted for Councillor Lewis and Councillor Mike Rice substituted for Councillor Morris.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Clare Billing, Jean Green, Ben Lewis and Gerald Morris.

Councillor Adrian Smith substituted for Councillor Billing. Councillor John Bishop substituted for Councillor Green, Councillor Paul Marment substituted for Councillor Lewis and Councillor Mike Rice substituted for Councillor Morris.

Members should notify the Chairman of other business which they wish to be discussed by the Committee at the end of the business set out in the agenda. They must state the circumstances which they consider justify the business being considered as a matter of urgency.

The Chairman will decide whether any item(s) raised will be considered.

There was no other business notified.

There was no other business notified.

Members are reminded that any declarations of interest in respect of any business set out in the agenda, should be declared as either a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest or Declarable Interest and are required to notify the Chairman of the nature of any interest declared at the commencement of the relevant item on the agenda. Members declaring a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest must withdraw from the meeting for the duration of the item.  Members declaring a Declarable Interest which requires they leave the room under Paragraph 7.4 of the Code of Conduct, can speak on the item, but must leave the room before the debate and vote.

(1)       The Chairman reminded those present that, in line with Council policy, the meeting would be audio recorded;

(2)       The Chairman informed Members that there was no sound amplification and asked Members to speak loudly and clearly;

(3)       The Chairman drew attention to the item on the agenda front pages regarding Declarations of Interest and reminded Members that, in line with the Code of Conduct, any Declarations of Interest needed to be declared immediately prior to the item in question.

(4)       The Chairman outlined the procedure for this meeting, which was laid out in Paragraph 6.3.5 of the Constitution as follows:

(i)      Each of the signatories to the Call-In would be invited to address the Committee on reasons for the Call-in;

(ii)      Members would be invited to ask questions of each of these Members;

(iii)     The Executive Member for Waste, Recycling and Environment and/or relevant Officers would be invited to address the Committee on the decision taken and the grounds stated in the Call-in;

(iv)    Members would be invited to ask questions of the Executive Member and Officers;

(v)     Members would then debate the Call-In and make recommendations on its conclusions.

(5)       The Chairman drew attention to item 4B, which laid out the options available to the Committee.

(1)       The Chairman reminded those present that, in line with Council policy, the meeting would be audio recorded;

(2)       The Chairman informed Members that there was no sound amplification and asked Members to speak loudly and clearly;

(3)       The Chairman drew attention to the item on the agenda front pages regarding Declarations of Interest and reminded Members that, in line with the Code of Conduct, any Declarations of Interest needed to be declared immediately prior to the item in question.

(4)       The Chairman outlined the procedure for this meeting, which was laid out in Paragraph 6.3.5 of the Constitution as follows:

(i)      Each of the signatories to the Call-In would be invited to address the Committee on reasons for the Call-in;

(ii)      Members would be invited to ask questions of each of these Members;

(iii)     The Executive Member for Waste, Recycling and Environment and/or relevant Officers would be invited to address the Committee on the decision taken and the grounds stated in the Call-in;

(iv)    Members would be invited to ask questions of the Executive Member and Officers;

(v)     Members would then debate the Call-In and make recommendations on its conclusions.

(5)       The Chairman drew attention to item 4B, which laid out the options available to the Committee.

JOINT REPORT OF THE HEAD OF LEISURE & ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES AND HEAD OF FINANCE, PEFORMANCE & ASSET MANAGEMENT

The following is attached:

(4A) The notice of call-in (Page 3);

(4B) A note explaining the options open to the Committee (Page 5);

(4C) The decisions of Cabinet – 16 October 2017 (Page 7);

(4D) The Part 1 report considered by Cabinet on 16 October 2017 (Page 9).

RESOLVED: As a result of the votes above, no further action to be taken.

REASON FOR DECISION: To enable the Overview and Scrutiny Committee to consider the Call-In of the decisions made by Cabinet regarding the report entitled Shared Service for Waste and Street Cleansing – Selection of Options.

The Chairman invited the Members who had signed the Call-In to address the Committee.

Councillor Elizabeth Dennis

Councillor Dennis advised that the decision for the Call-In was for the reason that it was important to examine again the Waste Contract as it was one of the most important contracts, was the largest part of the annual budget spend and affected all residents

There was a need to ensure that it was well thought through and would deliver the best outcome as well as meet corporate objectives.

She was not convinced that due weight had been given to the residents views and was extremely concerned about the risk assessment in that, it highlighted that people of a certain age may be affected and that those not on a large income would be affected. She queried the forethought of not considering part payment scheme, [particularly as the Council had an objective to support disadvantaged people.

Councillor Dennis stated that people did not have to take up the chargeable garden waste service and this would affect recycling rates. Welwyn Hatfield District Council’s recycling Rates were affected by a similar policy and NHDC did not know what would happen.

She stated that NHDC would be spending a lot of money on a contract when they did not know what would happen.

Councillor Ian Mantle

Councillor Mantle advised that he had a particular concern regarding the lack of information

That He didn’t know the basis for the decision to charge for waste or start kitchen waste collections.

In respect of the information provided regarding other authorities it was necessary to fond out more from them about the financial implications of their decisions.

He expressed concern about the large number of proposals available and that some basics had not been considered, such as, what would happen when a resident moved. Proper consideration should be given to the detail so that financial implications could be fully understood

Councillor Mantle was concerned that this was a half-baked idea, which lacked proper consideration about how it would work.

A Member commented that he had some sympathy regarding the comments about detail, but Member should have faith in Officers and queried whether Councillor Mantle doubted that Officers had gone through the detail.

Councillor Mantle stated that, in his opinion, Members should have much more detail as they were approving the budget, which this formed a large part of.

He stated that the devil was in the detail, that feedback was essential and that he was not convinced that the necessary procedures had been followed in order to keep Members fully informed.

Councillor Judi Billing

Councillor Billing advised that she wished to focus on consultation and democracy, both of which were linked to the reputation of this Council and it was for the benefit of the Council to revisit this decision

Councillor Billing was amazed that she cared more about the reputation of the Council than did the Members of Cabinet

The Council had done what it was statutorily obliged to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 61.