MINUTES of
COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE
8 JANUARY 2008
PRESENT
Chairman
Councillor Mrs P A Channer
Vice Chairman
Councillor Mrs B D Keighley
Councillors
Mrs H E Elliott, D Howse, D N Williams, Mrs A N Warr and
M J Wood
Ex-Officio Members
Councillor R J S Long
The Chairman welcomed Members to the first meeting of Community Services in
2008 and wished all those present a happy and successful New Year. She then
introduced Mrs Julia Bawden, Performance Monitoring Officer, Mrs Diane Foley,
Greater Haven Gateway, Choice Based Lettings (CBL) Project Manager and Mrs
Lesley Lushington, Acting Housing Options Team Leader, who were all in attendance
to give presentations.
526.
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors A T Cain, R Pratt and
B S Beale.
527.
MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING OF THE COMMUNITY SERVICES
COMMITTEE – 30 OCTOBER 2007
RESOLVED that the Minutes of the special meeting held on 30 October 2007 be
approved and confirmed.
528.
MINUTES OF COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE – 6 NOVEMBER
2007
RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting held on 6 November 2007 be approved
and confirmed.
529.
TEN DEMONSTRATION
The Chairman asked Mrs Julia Bawden to make her presentation to the Committee.
Julia Bawden advised that at the request of the Leader she would be attending each
Committee to ensure all Members had a brief insight on the information provided
31
within the TEN Performance Monitoring System. She advised how Members could
access the database, demonstrated how to use it effectively and gave advice on how to
contact the appropriate Officer for further information.
The Chairman thanked Mrs Bawden for her presentation.
530.
CHOICE BASED LETTINGS – CONSULTATION ON DRAFT
ALLOCATIONS POLICY
The Chairman asked Mrs Diane Foley of the Greater Haven Gateway Sub-Region to
make her presentation to the Committee.
Mrs Foley advised that the current draft Allocations Policy had been posted on the
websites of all eight councils within the Greater Haven Gateway Sub Region for the
duration of the consultation period, December 2007 to 29 February 2008. Following
feedback and all changes implemented, all Councils within the Sub Region would
need to approve and adopt the Allocations Policy. The final Policy would be
presented to a future meeting of this Committee.
During the presentation Mrs Foley reiterated information previously given to remind
Members of the CBL scheme key elements, the proposed banding system for
applications and why the move from a points based system to banding had initially
been taken and how it would work. Members of the Committee were then invited to
ask questions.
Councillor M J Wood questioned the timescale Government had given for changes to
be implemented. He also asked in which circumstance a person would not be allowed
to register, if the Section 106 agreement for the Henry Guilder Drake properties
would still apply and what was classed as a ‘local connection’? Mrs Foley stated the
Government’s aim was to deliver CBL by 2010; however the Sub Regional timetable
is to implement the scheme in November 2008. Mrs Foley also explained that a
person who did not have the right to remain in the country or had committed a serious
offence, which would have led deportation, would not be able to register. She added
that a local connection was if the person(s) had lived or currently worked in that area
or had a close family relative that lived within the vicinity for no less than five years.
The Acting Housing Options Team Leader advised that the Section 106 agreement
would still apply for the Henry Guilder Drake properties.
The Chairman then thanked Mrs Foley for her presentation.
The Committee then considered a report of the Acting Chief Community Services
Officer that informed Members of the consultation on the Choice Based Lettings
(CBL) Draft Allocations Policy and sought Member’s views as part of the
consultation process. It also reminded Members they had already agreed to the
principle of using a CBL scheme for future allocations of social housing.
Members discussed the duration of the trial period of Cross Boundary Movement and
agreed that it should be reported back after the initial six months of the scheme being
incorporated.
32
Members agreed to add to and vary the recommendations contained in the report on
the basis of which were accepted.
RESOLVED that
531.
(i)
the consultation being undertaken by the Greater Haven Gateway Sub Region
on the Choice Based Lettings Draft Allocation Policy be noted;
(ii)
the move to a banding system as set out in the Draft Allocations Policy be
supported;
(iii)
the final Allocation Policy be brought back to this Committee for
consideration;
(iv)
cross boundary mobility and the impacts on the Maldon District be monitored
for up to one year once the scheme is implemented to ensure that the Council
is able to discharge it statutory duties in relation to Homelessness and that
initial progress is reported to this Committee after six months.
REVIEW OF AGREEMENT WITH MOAT HOMES LTD
Councillor D N Williams declared a personal and prejudicial interest in this item as a
Board Member of Moat Homes Ltd and left the Council Chamber.
The Committee considered the report of the Acting Chief Community Services
Officer that advised Members of the outcome of the review of Variation in the Deed
of Novation and Service Level Agreement with Moat Homes Ltd.
Members were reminded of the consent given by the Council in December 2005 to
change the Transfer Agreement between the Council and Moat Homes, subject to a
number of conditions, and the subsequent Deed of Novation and Variation of March
2006, supplemental to the Principal Transfer Agreement. A review of the
implementation of the Principal Variations had since been undertaken with Moat
Homes and covered the Principal Agreement Variations, the new schedule to the
Deed of Covenant and the Service Level Agreement. The review concluded that all
actions required had been completed.
The new schedule to the Deed of Covenant had been actioned and the responsibilities
met by both the Council and Moat Homes. This set out the Council’s rights of
nomination to the Moat Board. The nomination to the Moat Board for two years was
due for review by 31 March 2008 and Members were reminded of the conditions of
Clause 5.2.3 regarding the Council’s rights to further nomination of a second person
to the Moat Board from March 2008.
Members discussed their beliefs that following the transfer to Moat Homes from
Plume Housing, it was felt that Moat Homes was anxious to finalise any involvement
with Maldon District Council. Members felt that it was becoming further remote
from the organisation and that a reduction of staff satisfaction with Moat Homes had
occurred.
33
The Chief Executive added that he had discussed with Councillor P G L Elliott, a
Moat Homes Board member, the latter’s suggestion that it may be more beneficial for
a Member to partake in a local regional board rather than a national board as national
meetings covered a lot of insignificant areas to this Council.
The Committee agreed the Council had more influence at the quarterly review
meetings than at board meetings however it was important to keep Member
representation on all groups.
It was agreed for Members’ concerns to be raised within the quarterly review meeting
and reported back to the February Committee meeting.
RESOLVED that
(i)
the outcome of the Review be noted;
(ii)
The views of Members on continuing with the second Member representative
on the Moat Board are further discussed;
(iii)
That those views are fed back to the Moat Homes and Maldon District Council
quarterly review meeting to be held on 17 January 2008;
(iv)
That a further report on the outcome of the quarterly review meeting is
presented to the next meeting of this Committee.
At this point Councillor D N Williams returned to the Council Chamber.
532.
HOUSING AND PLANNING DELIVERY GRANT
The Committee considered the report of the Head of Planning Services on a proposed
response to a consultation from the Department for Communities and Local
Government (DCLG) on the allocation mechanism for the new Housing and Planning
Delivery Grant (HPDG) that would replace the Planning Delivery Grant in 2008/9.
Following an earlier consultation on the revised form of grant to replace Planning and
Delivery Grant, the DCLG had now published proposed criteria for allocating the new
Grant over the years 2008-11. The new grant focused on strong housing delivery and
on delivery of Local Development Framework (LDF).
The Acting Chief Community Services Officer advised Members that the report had
been presented to the Planning and Licensing Committee at its meeting on 22
November 2007 meeting following which agreed changes to the proposed responses
to questions 12 and 13 had been incorporated in the document now before this
Committee.
RESOLVED that the responses set out at APPENDIX 1 to the report be agreed.
34
533.
FUTURE OF RIVERSIDE PARK – PARKS FOR PEOPLE BID
The Committee considered the report of the Head of Leisure and Liveability that
sought approval to develop a Vision Plan for Riverside Park, Burnham on Crouch, to
enable funds to be sourced for future park improvements.
Following discussions with the Friends of Riverside Park, the Friends Group Vision
Sub-Committee, Burnham Town Council, parks users and other interested parties, a
list of improvements were identified. Members were provided with a draft summary
of the Vision for Riverside Park, produced by the Friends of Riverside Park’s Vision
Sub-Committee. From the information gathered, Pre-Application Advice form was
submitted in September 2007 however the response from the Heritage Lottery (HLF)
Team made it clear they would not support a majority of improvements identified and
only a small number of individual projects would qualify.
Following further discussions with the Friends of Riverside Park it had been resolved
that a further Vision Plan should be developed, similar to that approved for
Promenade Park.
RESOLVED that
534.
(i)
Officers are instructed to develop a Vision Plan for Riverside Park;
(ii)
A further report is submitted to this Committee when a draft Vision Plan is
completed.
ALLOCATION OF LAND FOR ALLOTMENTS
The Committee considered the report of the Head of Leisure and Liveability that
detailed a formal request made by Maldon Town Council (MTC) for land to be
provided for allotment purposes.
The request had been considered by the District Council’s Asset Management
Working Group (AMWG) on 15 August 2007 and a possible site for use had been
identified at Brickhouse Farm, Maldon. Members were reminded that the MTC
already leased land for allotment purposes at Brickhouse Farm under a 10 year lease
that would expire in November 2009.
Councillor Mrs B D Keighley asked if the additional allotments would be patrolled.
The Head of Leisure and Liveability advised that the additional plots would not
increase the Park Rangers work load as they regularly patrolled the area at present.
RESOLVED that
(i)
the provision of additional allotments at Brickhouse Farm, Maldon be
supported;
35
(ii)
535.
The Maldon Town Council be offered a lease of land at Brickhouse Farm
based upon the same arrangements as the existing allotment site until 4
November 2009.
PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT WITH SPORTESSEX
The Committee considered the report of the Head of Leisure and Liveability that
sought Members’ approval of the Maldon District Partnership Agreement with
Sportessex.
Sportessex, the Essex, Southend and Thurrock Country Sports Partnership was an
organisation with a constitution, governed by an elected Board of Management and
recognised by partners within the county who had come together in a voluntary
partnership. The Partnership Agreement would be in place for the period from 1
April 2008 to 31 March 2010 and was attached at Appendix 1 to the report.
The report advised that the Council had agreed to make an ‘in-kind’ contribution of
£5,000 towards the core functions and services provided by Sportessex. The ‘in-kind’
funding would enable Sportessex to draw down an additional £2,500 inward
investment from Sport England, subject to successful submissions of a Community
Investment Fund Application. The Council would provide a letter in support of the
Partnership Agreement and outline its ‘in-kind’ support for the purpose of levering
match funding.
In response to a question, the Head of Leisure and Liveability advised Members that
an application listing all initiatives was currently in draft format and would be put
before Sportessex for approval.
Councillor M J Wood stated he fully supported Sportessex but questioned the lack of
School involvement mentioned within the Partnership Agreement. The Leisure and
Community Team Leader advised that the Heads of Physical Education within local
schools were involved via the Community Schools Network and confirmed that
schools were to play a key role.
RESOLVED that the Partnership Agreement with Sportessex be approved.
536.
CRIME AND DISORDER ACT 1998 REFORM, STRATEGIC ASSESSMENT
AND PARTNERSHIP PLAN
The Committee considered the report of the Head of Leisure and Liveability updating
Members on the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 Reform and new statutory
requirements.
The Act Reform came into force on 1 August 2007 and guidelines were published in
October 2007. A new Strategic Assessment and Partnership Plan needed to be in
place by 1 April 2008. Although a majority of statutory requirements listed within the
guidance were met by current procedures, to meet all statutory requirements the
following actions were necessary:
36






The Responsible Authorities Group to become The Strategy Group;
A Member representative for Community Safety is required to sit on The
Strategy Group;
A Strategic Assessment (SAs) to be produced by 1 April 2008;
A Partnership Plan to be produced by 1 April 2008;
Agreement for future SAs and Partnership Plan development, monitoring and
evaluation;
A Project Manager to be appointed by Essex Partnership Executive Group to
produce a County wide Information Sharing Hub to allow statistical
information to be produced and circulated by the relevant agencies.
The report also advised that the Responsible Authorities Group had agreed to include
‘Strategy Group’ within its name and that the Member representative for this body
would need to have the appropriate skills and knowledge to sit on the Group.
However ongoing training would be provided.
RESOLVED that Councillor D Howse be nominated to be the Member
representative for Community Safety for the remainder of municipal year and to sit on
the Responsible Authorities Group - Strategy.
537.
STREET CLEANSING SERVICE – VALUE FOR MONEY REVIEW
The Committee received and noted the report of the Head of Environment Services
that advised Members of the findings within the value for money (VFM) review
regarding the Council’s Street Cleansing Service.
An initial comparison of service costs using the Audit Commission’s VFM profile
tool, for a range of service areas had been undertaken to identify those areas where
costs appeared significantly higher than those of the Council’s fifteen nearest
neighbours. This was based upon data extracted from Revenue Account budget
2006/07 forms (Original 2006/07 estimates) and 2005/06 performance data.
At the Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting of 1 August 2007 it was resolved
that service areas where the costs were ranked four or higher, merited further
evaluation to allow the Council to better understand the reasons for this. Street
cleansing and litter responsibilities were the third highest. A detailed review had
since been undertaken and the results were detailed in Appendix 1 to the report.
Members were reminded however that the service provided had consistently been in
the top quartile for the majority of performance indicators and the review had found
the current arrangements were working well with performance and customer
satisfaction high. During the last year, service costs had been reduced.
Errors in the way in which the Revenue Account form had been completed had been
identified and whilst Officers had taken steps to rectify the mistakes for future returns,
it was pointed out that there was no guarantee that other local authorities were
correctly completing the form.
37
The Chairman raised concerns that un-audited figures, which potentially could reflect
badly on the Council, had been published within the public domain. She
recommended that the Audit Commission be made aware of the Council’s concerns
and that if these figures were to be published that it should be made clear they had not
been audited. Members agreed with the Chairman’s recommendation and asked that
the Head of Environment Services write to the Audit Commission reflecting these
concerns.
RESOLVED that
538.
(i)
the findings of the review be noted and the recommendations contained in the
VFM report be endorsed;
(ii)
the Head of Environment Services writes to the Audit Commission expressing
the Council’s concerns about the use of un-audited data.
KERBSIDE GREEN WASTE COLLECTION CONTRACT
The Committee considered the report of the Head of Environment Services who
sought delegated authority in consultation with the Chairman and Vice Chairman of
the Community Services Committee to award the Kerbside Green Waste Collection
Contract to the tenderer who provided the most economically advantageous tender.
In order to give the successful tenderer a satisfactory time between awarding the
contract and being ready to take on the service on 1 May 2008, and to assist Officers
in setting and publicising cost neutral fees for the service in 2008/09 it was proposed
to award the contract as soon as possible after the evaluation process had been
completed.
RESOLVED that
539.
(i)
The Head of Environment Services be given delegated authority to award, in
consultation with the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Community
Services Committee, the Kerbside Green Waste Collection Contract to the
tenderer who has submitted the most economically advantageous tender;
(ii)
Members are advised of the new arrangements via the Members’ Bulletin.
PROVISION OF CAR PARKING SERVICES
The Committee considered the report of the Head of Leisure and Liveability that
informed Members on the progress of discussions relating to a shared service
arrangement with Chelmsford Borough Council and sought authority to proceed with
investigations into requests for residents’ car parking schemes.
Members noted that discussions which had previously centred upon the ‘back office’
functions, specifically excluding management of the ‘on street’ team, were still
ongoing and an update would be given to a future meeting.
38
The Committee was also reminded that the Chairman of the Council had received
requests for a number of residents’ car parking schemes to be considered. Details of
these were set out within the report and it was noted that a request for a residents’
parking scheme could be made from an individual or a group of residents.
It was proposed that the requests made for residents’ car parking schemes be reviewed
against the criteria to ensure they were eligible for a scheme. Following that, the
views of residents would be sought, in particular on whether they would be prepared
to meet the costs associated with running the scheme. An update report would then be
made to the Committee advising Members of the results.
RESOLVED that
540.
(i)
the progress with discussions relating to shared car parking services be noted;
(ii)
Officers be authorised to write to all properties meeting the approved
residents’ parking scheme criteria to establish the level of support for a
scheme;
(iii)
Officers report to Members at a future date on the findings of the consultation,
and seek authority to pass the selected roads to Essex County Council for final
approval and implementation.
COMMUNITY GRANTS SCHEME
The Committee considered the report of the Head of Leisure and Liveability seeking
determination of applications received for the Community Grants Scheme in the
fourth and final round of the current financial year.
The report contained details of eight applications received by the closing date of the 1
December 2007. It was suggested that one of the applicants be refused and redirected for funding to the Historic Building Grant, administered by the Council’s
Conservation Officer and further suggested that consideration of an application to
hold the 2008 Wickham Bishops Open Gardens and Flower Festival be deferred until
the first round of funding in the next financial year due to the dates of the festival.
It was also suggested, should Members wish to grant fund the remaining six
applications, that consideration be given to a virement of £2,270 from the under spent
Health Promotion budget in order to make up the shortfall.
RESOLVED that
(i)
Community Grants be awarded in accordance with Appendix 1 to the report
subject to the following amendments:-
APPLICANT
Wickham Bishops Open
Gardens and Flower Festival
FUNCTION OF
CLUB/ORGANISATION
To hold an annual flower
festival and open garden
39
AMOUNT GRANTED
Deferred to first round in
2008 as event not until 7 and
Committee 2008
All Saints Church with St.
Peters, Maldon
(ii)
541.
event 2008
Place of worship
8 June 2008
Refuse and re-direct to
Maldon District Council
Historic Building Grant
2008/09
In order for (i) above to be enabled, a virement of £2,270 is made from the
Health Promotion Budget.
PARISH CLERKS’ FORUM
The Committee considered the report of the Acting Chief Community Services
Officer that reminded Members of the agreed Civic Pride Action Plan which outlined
a number of actions to increase engagement with Parish/ Town councils, including an
action to develop a Parish Clerks’ Forum.
It was proposed that a Maldon District Parish Clerks’ Forum should be established
and held quarterly on a similar basis to the Colchester Forum. This would provide an
opportunity for Officers to meet on a regular basis with Parish Clerks. A date for the
first meeting had been scheduled for 26 March 2008 and would be held at the Coach
House in the Minerva Centre in Purleigh.
The report also set out details of a Parish Clerk’s Toolkit developed jointly by Essex
County Council and Braintree District Council as a pilot. This Council had agreed to
purchase the Toolkit at a subsided price for distribution to all Parish Clerks.
A small budget would be required to facilitate the sandwich buffet and the hall hire
would also need to be taken into account. It was suggested that Parish/Town Councils
could be asked to act as hosts to the Forum on a rotational basis to avoid additional
costs with a possible donation to be made by the Council toward utilities. This would
need to be negotiated at the first meeting of the Forum, the costs being met from
existing development budgets.
RESOLVED that
542.
(i)
Councillor Mrs P A Channer be the nominated Member to attend the Parish
Clerk’s Forum on 26 March 2008;
(ii)
Councillor Mrs B D Keighley to be the nominated substitute Member.
CONSULTATION ON THE ESSEX COMPACT
The Committee considered the report of the Head of Leisure and Liveability that
advised Members of the consultation period for the Essex Compact that began in
October 2007 and was due to end on 25 January 2008.
The report updated Members on the background to the Essex Compact which set out
the rules and principles for a productive relationship between the Voluntary and
40
Community Sector (CVS) and statutory sector organisations, and was able to lay
down rules on how decisions on funding were made or how volunteers were treated.
The existing Essex Compact was approved three years ago and had been reviewed by
the Compact Sub Group of the Local Area Agreement. The group included Local
Authority and County Council Officers as well as representatives of the Voluntary
and Community Sector such as Essex, Southend and Thurrock Infrastructure
Consortium (ESTIC) and the Rural Community Council for Essex. Essex Primary
Care Trusts had been invited but had not been able to send representation to attend the
meetings to date however, their views had been sought.
The consultation process set out key questions that were required to be answered
under a number of headings and comments were also welcomed on other relevant
matters.
Appendices 1 – 5 to the report allowed Members to view copies of the draft Compact
for Essex including the draft codes of practice.
Members were reminded there were only National, Regional, County and District
Compacts in existence and this Councils ‘Getting it Right Together’ would be
reviewed following the production of the new Compact for Essex and form the basis
of a future report to the Committee.
RESOLVED that
543.
(i)
the principle of the proposed content for the Essex Compact set out at
Appendices 1-5, to the report be approved;
(ii)
With regard to the specific question concerning marginalised groups a single
code but with sub-sections for any points that apply to one group only (as in
the draft text attached in Appendix 5 to the report) be recommended;
(iii)
Should Members wish to make individual comments on the proposed text,
these should be sent to the Community Development Officer by 11 January
2008.
MALDON DISTRICT CHILDREN’S PLAY STRATEGY
The Committee received and noted the report of the Head of Leisure and Liveability
that informed Members of the Big Lottery Fund decision on the funding of the
Maldon District Children’s Play Strategy.
Members were reminded of the report that was presented to them in September 2007
when they approved the Maldon District Children’s Play Strategy and requested that it
was submitted to the Big Lottery for funding prior to the closing date of 10 September
2007.
In order for the District to apply for Big Lottery funding, it had been necessary to
develop and adopt a local play strategy to address identified needs. The most
important issue emerging from the consultation was the provision of ice skating
41
locally. It had not been possible to fund a permanent ice rink from the Big Lottery
funding however a seasonal artificial rink may be achievable. The confirmed
priorities that were included in the Play Strategy for submission were;
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
An Artificial Ice Rink Pilot Project;
A three year Play Ranger Service; and
New Play Equipment for the following locations (in priority order):
a) Orchard Meadow, Southminster; and
b) Maldon, Brickhouse Farm.
The report updated Members that the Big Lottery Fund had agreed to offer a grant of
£200,000 to the Council for the delivery of the priorities identified in the Maldon
District Children’s Play Strategy and which would be implemented over the next three
financial years.
In response to a question, the Head of Leisure and Liveability advised that the Ice
Rink would be in use for December 2009 and added that all initiatives must be free
for children so a high demand would be anticipated.
Members of the Committee congratulated those Officers involved for their
tremendous work carried out with fantastic results, including personal thanks from
Councillors Mrs P A Channer and R J S Long.
544.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION ANNUAL CULTURE
CONFERENCE
The Committee considered the report of the Head of Leisure and Liveability that
notified Members of the forthcoming Local Government Association’s (LGA) Annual
Culture, Tourism and Sports Conference and Exhibition to be held on 13 and 14
March 2008 at the Arena and Conference Centre, Liverpool. Members were asked if
they wished to nominate someone to attend.
The report stated that the LGA Member rate for delegates was £360 plus VAT and the
price of accommodation would be in addition. However should a Member attend,
feedback could be reported to the Committee by the nominated Member as there
would be no Officer representation from the Council.
RESOLVED that Councillor R J S Long attends the Local Government Association
Annual Culture, Tourism and Sports Conference on 13 and 14 March 2008.
545.
AMENDMENT TO THE SCHEME OF DELEGATION: THE OFFICIAL
FEED AND FOOD CONTROLS (ENGLAND) REGULATIONS 2007
The Committee considered the report of the Head of Environment Services that
informed Members of the new imported food regulations and sought to secure an
amendment to the Scheme of Delegation.
The report advised members of The Official Feed and Food Controls (England)
Regulations 2007 that were laid before Parliament on 14 November 2007 with effect
42
from 14 December 2007 that updated and replaced The Official Feed and Food
Controls (England) Regulations 2006.
The main change was in the provision that allowed Local Authorities to charge
business operators for ‘additional controls’ in cases where there was non-compliance
and the necessary control activities carried out as a result exceeding those required
under Community or National law. It was envisaged that nationally, there would only
be a small number of cases each year that could be charged and would only arise in
cases where unless corrective action were to be taken, there would be an imminent
and/or serious risk to public health and where the resources required to manage the
control activities would fall outside the Council’s planned activities.
RESOLVED that the Scheme of Delegation be amended by the additional
authorisation of the Head of Environment Services to:
546.
(i)
Enforce and execute the duties and functions of the Council as set out in the
Official Feed and Food Control (England) Regulations 2007; and
(ii)
Authorise Officers and duly appointed contractors who are appropriately
qualified and experienced to discharge the powers and duties delegated to the
Head of Environment Services; and
(iii)
Impose costs for ‘additional official controls’ as and when the occasion arises.
QUARTERLY UPDATE ON LIAISON MEETINGS
The Committee received and noted the report of the Acting Chief Community
Services Officer that updated Members on the Liaison Groups that had met in the last
quarter.
Members were advised that the following meetings had been held and the minutes of
each had been placed within the Members’ Room:





Maldon District Museum Liaison Committee Meeting on 29 October 2007;
Leisure Connection Liaison Committee Meeting on 28 November 2007;
Brickhouse Farm Management Committee 6 November 2007;
Maldon and District Council for Voluntary Service Liaison Committee 3
October 2007;
Maldon and District Citizen’s Advice Bureau (CAB) Liaison Committee 30
November 2007.
All actions arising from the meetings were listed within the report together with an
update on the action taken since the meeting. The Head of Leisure and Liveability
noted that following the Maldon District Citizen’s Advice Bureau Liaison Committee,
Mr Sharp had agreed to provide regular update reports for the Members’ Bulletin as
from January 2008 on progress on achieving the Action Plan produced by the CAB.
43
547.
EXCLUSION OF PRESS AND PUBLIC
RESOLVED that under Section 100A (4) of the Local Government Act 1972 the
public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the
grounds that they involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in
Paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act, and that this satisfied the
public interest test.
548.
LIST OF HOUSING GRANTS/ LOANS AGREED UNDER DELEGATED
POWERS
The Committee received and noted the report of the Acting Chief Community
Services Officer detailing housing grants and loans approved under delegated powers.
549.
REFUSE AND RECYCLING SERVICES CONTRACT – PROPORSAL FOR
TWO YEAR EXTENSION
The Committee considered the report of the Head of Environment Services that
sought endorsement of the proposal to extend the Refuse and Recycling Services
Contract with Enterprise MRS for the discretionary two year period until 31 March
2012.
The report detailed to Members that the current contract with Enterprise MRS had
been in place since 1 April 2005 for an initial five year period however there was an
option to extend it for up to a further two years. In exchange for the contract
extension, Enterprise MRS had offered to employ a full time Recycling Officer that
would be dedicated to working in the District at no extra cost to the Council.
Overall Enterprise MRS has performed well and this was demonstrated by high
customer satisfaction, a reduction in missed collections and by the Audit
Commission’s report following its Environment Services Inspection in 2007. The
additional resource of a full time Recycling Officer would prove to be invaluable to
the existing team within the Council and actively reduce the impact waste disposal
had on the environment within the District as well as recording vital feedback from
residents on how the Council can best “Reduce, Reuse and Recycle”
Members discussed the financial implications for extending the contract for an
additional two years and emphasised the importance of ensuring that the performance
bond remained in force throughout the extension period.
RECOMMENDED that subject to a requirement for a 10% performance bond, the
two year contract extension be agreed, in return for Enterprise MRS funding a full
time Recycling Officer from 1 April 2008 until the end of the contract.
The Chairman closed the meeting at 9.47pm.
MRS P A CHANNER
CHAIRMAN
44