Agenda and minutes

Councillor Connolly declared a personal interest in any matters relating to the fact that his partner is employed by Adult Care Services. A prejudicial interest was also declared in respect of Minute Number CA.11 Future Services Options. Councillor Connolly left the meeting room during consideration of the report.

A period of thirty minutes was allocated for members of the public present at the meeting to ask questions about the work or performance of the Council or Council services.

Topic: Brown bins

Question: The Zero Waste Strategy refers to all households having 4 recycling bins. Residents in Nangreaves have never received a brown bin and won’t receive the full service. Will the Council provide brown bins for Nangreaves?

Response: The Council will look into the issue of brown bins in Nangreaves.

Topic: Safe storage of used nappies in grey bins

Question: Under the proposed 3 weekly grey bin collection, what provision does the Council have to deal with the large numbers of nappies that will be accumulated by toddler groups each day? The nappies would stored in the grey bins for up to 3 weeks before collection. The smell from the bin could become an issue.

Response: The Council advises that each nappy is wrapped and placed in a bag and tightly secured to prevent odours. A Recycling and Awareness Officer will arrange a visit to the toddler group to advise staff on options for storage or whether a commercial waste collection arrangement is more appropriate.

Topic: Disposal of packaging

Question: Packaging of goods used by food retailers and companies is excessive and it is difficult to dispose of. How can we deal with it?

Response: Try to avoid purchasing food items with excessive packing. Suppliers must be made aware that they are part of the problem of package disposal and consumers need to apply pressure on food retailers for the changes to be made to the way food/goods are packaged for consumers.

Topic: Request for an extra bin for nappies/incontinence pads

Question: Could the Council provide a separate bin for nappies/incontinence pads? There may not be enough space in the grey bins where there are large families with babies. Some people have said they would put the nappies in green bins in protest.

Response: The use of nappies is time limited (2/3 years). Residents can apply for an additional grey bin and this will be considered on individual circumstances.

Topic: Side waste collection arrangements

Question: Is the Council aware of the problem of residual side waste that is currently being left out even before the new strategy is introduced?

Response: The Council will not collect side residual waste. The change to 3 weekly green and blue bins (from 4 weekly) will much reduce recyclable side waste which would only be removed where it is safe to do so. Extra blue and green bins can be provided free of charge. Areas will be visited by Recycling Awareness Officers if residual side waste is frequently left out to provide help and advice to residents.

Topic: Accessing recycling sites

Question: How do people without transport access waste disposal sites to dispose of additional waste? I don’t have a car and the local  ...  view the full minutes text for item CA.133

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 11 June 2014.

Delegated decision:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 11 June 2014 be approved and signed by the Chair as a correct record.

Report attached.

The Cabinet Member (Environment) submitted a report proposing a Zero Waste Strategy for Bury. The Strategy has been developed to compliment the Greater Manchester Waste Disposal Authority’s (GMWDA) Waste Management Strategy designed to protect the environment, cut back on the amount of waste generated and sharply increase recycling rates.

The Council has to consider all options to increase the level of recycling in the Borough and has focussed on three of the ten strategic objectives, these are:

·         Waste prevention;

·         Following the waste hierarchy;

·         Education and awareness.

The report set out the options for a new waste collection system which is set for implementation in October 2014. This system would involve making operational changes to support Bury residents with maximising recycling and minimising the amount of waste requiring treatment and disposal.

Delegated decisions:

1.   That approval be given to adopt Bury Council’s Zero Waste Strategy, including the 10 Strategic Objectives as detailed in the report submitted.

2.   That approval be given to the proposed changes to the waste collection service.

3.   That approval be given to an ‘invest to save’ initiative to include a capital spend of up to £213,400 and one-off implementation costs of £189,700 to introduce the changes. These costs will ultimately be self-financing, but initially are to be funded from loan and reserves as detailed in Section 4 of the report submitted.

Reason for the decision:

This recommendation provides a sustainable solution to increasing recycling, cutting back on waste and improving education and awareness.

Other option considered and rejected:

Do nothing. The Council would not achieve recycling targets, efficiency savings or other strategic objectives and costs associated with treatment and disposal of waste would continue to rise.

The Leader submitted a report providing details of:

·         the Capital Outturn figures in respect of the last financial year 2013/14;

·         Major variances between the revised Estimate and the Outturn;

·         The financing of the Capital Programme in 2013/14;

·         Re-profile of budgets/allocations and funding into 2014/15;

·         Details of the capital receipts realised during the year.

Delegated decisions:

1.   That the final Capital Outturn for 2013/2014 and explanations for major variances (Appendix A and report) be noted.

2.   That the financing of the Capital Programme in 2013/2014 (Paragraph 3.5 of the report submitted) be noted.

3.   That approval be given to the re-profiled slippage requests and associated funding into 2014/2015 (Appendix B)

4.   That the level of Capital Receipts realised in year be noted.

Reason for the decision:

The Council is required as part of the Financial Regulations to present an annual report on the Capital Outturn.

Other options considered and rejected:

To amend or reject the recommendations.   

The Leader of the Council submitted a report providing details of:

·         The Revenue Outturn figures in respect of the last financial year, 2013/2014, detailing specific carry-forward requests and the proposed application of the carry-forward rules;

·         Major variances between the revised estimate and the outturn;

·         The level of school balances;

·    HRA outturn for the year;

·    The minimum level of balances in the light of risk assessments.

The figures in the report are consistent with the figures included within the Statement of Accounts which were approved by the Responsible Finance Officer on 5 June 2014 and approved by the Audit Committee on 15 July 2014. The figures in this report mirror the figures in the Accounts but are in a format consistent with the Revenue Budget approved by Council on 20 February 2013.

Delegated decisions:

That in view of the Council’s financial situation and the budget pressures faced in 2014/2015 and future years, it is recommended that the normal cash ceiling rules governing the carry forward of over and underspendings should be suspended and that:

·        The final Revenue Outturn and HRA Outturn for 2013/2014 be noted along with explanations for major variances.

·       Overspendings of the Children’s Services, Adult Care Services and Chief     Executive’s departments be not carried forward.

·        That the level of the General Fund balance be noted.

·        That the minimum level of the General Fund balance be retained at £4.5million subject to regular review as part of the budget monitoring process.

Reason for the decision:

The presentation of an annual report on the Revenue and HRA Outturn is a requirement of the Council’s Financial Regulations.

Other options considered and rejected:

To amend or reject the recommendations.

The Leader submitted a report providing a review of Treasury Management activities during 2013/2014.

The Council undertakes Treasury Management Activities in accordance with the Chartered Institute of public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) Code of Practice on Treasury Management, which requires that the Council receives an annual strategy report by 31 March for the year ahead and an annual review report of the previous year by 30 September.

Delegated decision:

That the Treasury Management Annual Report 2013/2014 be noted.

Reason for the decision:

The Council is required to produce an annual review report in accordance with the CIPFA Code of Practice.

Other option considered and rejected:

To reject the recommendation.

The Leader submitted a report providing details of risk management activity that has taken place during the last 12 months. The report outlined risk management policies and practices now in place and the key issues that will be addressed during the coming financial year.

Recommendation to Council:

1.   That the progress made throughout 2013/2014 and actions taken during

the current financial year be noted.

2.   That support for the Council’s approach to Risk Management be re-affirmed.

Reason for the decision:

Risk Management is an integral part of the Council’s Governance and service and financial planning and is essential that robust risk management practices are put in place to safeguard the Council’s assets and reputation.

Other options considered and rejected:

To reject the recommendation.

The Leader submitted a report providing an update on the progress made on corporate performance indicators within the Council’s Corporate Plan up to Quarter Four 2013/2014.

Delegated decision:

That the report submitted be noted.

Reason for the decision:

The report provides an indicator of how the Council performance is progressing against the Corporate Plan.

Other option considered and rejected:

To reject the recommendation.

That in accordance with Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following items of business as they involve the likely disclosure of information as detailed in the conditions of category 3.

(Note: After declaring a prejudicial interest Councillor Connolly left the meeting room at this point and took no park in consideration of the next item. Councillor Shori took the Chair for the remainder of the meeting.)

The Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member (Health and Wellbeing) submitted a report detailing the findings from initial business case analysis of a range of potential future service delivery options for adult social care related services.

Delegated decision:

That approval be given to seek the views of customers, staff, trade unions and stakeholders on their preferred way forward of achieving the sustainable provision of adult social care services.

Reason for the decision:

Seeking the views and support of stakeholders is critical to the success of any of the options.

Other options considered and rejected:

To amend or reject the recommendation.

(The Chair allowed consideration of this item under Urgent Business in order to commence immediate consultation with customers, staff and stakeholders as to the preferred way forward.)