Agenda item

Questions Under Standing Order 23

To receive questions from Councillors in accordance with the requirements of Standing Order 23.4(a).

Minutes:

The Council received questions submitted in accordance with Standing Order 23 and responses provided by the appropriate Cabinet Leads as follows:

 

(1)          Questions from Councillor Kennett to Councillor Hughes:

a.    What key performance indicators are in place for our recycling?

There are no specific KPIs for recycling, however there is a national target for recycling of 50%
.

b.    Which local authorities do we currently benchmark our performance against?

Disposal authorities across the country are able to take a variety of recyclate materials, therefore any performance comparison is contained within the disposal authority area, in our case Hampshire.  It is not possible to undertake benchmarking on a broader basis.

 

(A graphic showing the different refuse and recycling regimes in place across Hampshire is published on the Council’s website alongside these minutes)

c.    What are Havant’s ambitions for recycling in the borough?

We are aiming to increase our recycling figures above 30%, reduce contamination and increase messaging about waste avoidance.

 

There is a recycling action plan in place for 2018, which will be delivered within existing budgets.

 

                        Key priorities are:

·         Increasing the number of localised recycling bring sites in an effort to make it easier for residents to recycle glass and textiles;

·         We will be promoting the Garden Waste collection service to generate additional customers as garden waste forms c7% of our total recycling; and

·         We will revise the recycling message to our residents to reduce contamination within the recycling bin.

 

The government has adopted the recommended increases in recycling rates as set out in the EU Circular Economy paper, setting new national targets for recycling at:
 

·         55%         2025

·         60%         2030

·         65%         2035


As a member of the Project Integra Board, I will therefore be championing further action on recycling from our partners


d.    When will the new HCC recycling facility be ready for use?

Given the government’s announcements on deposit return schemes (DRS) and recycling rates, HCC has paused commissioning the design of the new recycling facility (SMRF) as these announcements have the potential to significantly impact on the range and quality of materials that will be available to the kerbside recycling services in the future.

The DRS for plastic bottles was anticipated, but not the inclusion of glass and metal drink containers.  A reduction in the availability of these materials does impact on the business case for the SMRF especially as the SMRF was intended to include glass as an accepted material.


e.    What will the council be doing to support this years National Recycle Week (24 – 30 Sept)? There are plenty of local organisations such as The Final Straw Solent (based in Emsworth) who would be pleased to help

We are currently working with Norse SE on the National Recycle Week and I will provide further information when details are finalised.

Norse are currently supporting the “final Straw” scheme, linking with the Ben Ainslie Racing team and donating litter pickers, gloves and sacks.


(2)          Councillor Francis to Councillor Pike

I am pleased to acknowledge the work being done on the project to build houses and a new Community centre in Leigh Park. It is being done with the finance of a grant to fund development and feasibility in the area, which was successfully bid for by Andrew Biltcliffe (Head of Regeneration).

I am also pleased to hear that investigations into financial support are being made. We badly need Social housing. Government funding might be found but are we investigating the sort of Trust arrangements made by other Councils so that we could borrow to build and not be subject to the right to buy?  I also understand that the Co-operative society will support such development. This should not just be a question of builders' profits.

A project Panel has commissioned HCC architects and plans are being drawn up. Could you explain how it can be that the Project Panel has not included any Leigh Park Councillors (the people who understand the area) being included.

Apparently the people of Leigh Park are not to be consulted before the plans are drawn up. Do you agree that there is a democratic deficit here?

The question is whether to start the conversation about regeneration projects from a completely blank sheet or with a framework of what could happen. The Project Board decision was to commission Hampshire CC Architects to provide some high level visual ideas of what might be elements of the possible in order to have conversations with local stakeholders and the local community. The Project Board is made up of landowners, plus Community First as Head leasee of the community centre. The terms of reference include provision for a Partnership Board, which could include local councillors and will be involved as the project progresses.

The HCC ideas are a good start and set out the scale of housing that formed the original funding bid, which is also carried through into the draft Local Plan.  It should be noted that the principle of construction of 150 homes and a rationalised community centre was consulted on through the Local Plan.

The high-level feasibility work accompanying the HCC visual ideas also demonstrates the challenge in achieving a viable development in this location. The HCC work is a tentative first step in the process of getting the project off the ground. These realities are an essential starting point for the project. Engagement with stakeholders and the local community are central to the whole project moving forward, as is confirmed in the successful funding bid.

(3)          Councillor Francis to Councillor Hughes

a.    Did Capita consult with, or even inform, H.B.C., before deciding to make redundant 27 finance officers (who were located in the Plaza) on May 31st?

The Capita model of delivery was proposed as part of the contract that was signed in April 2016. Staff that TUPE transferred to Capita were given as much information as possible several months before the contracts started on the changes proposed under the new model.  The Finance restructure was undertaken in line with the contract and TUPE regulations.


b.    The work is now to be done at Chichester and another location. Is this as convenient to us and is the work being properly done?

Services within the contract are now delivered in several locations, however there remains an on-site presence for many of the services, including Finance and HR.

We are continuing to work with Capita during this transition period to ensure smooth running services in the new delivery model.

 

c.    4 new posts were created here, but, because the job descriptions are different, those who gained them no longer have TUPE protection.

This action, if officially approved, would seem contrary to the Council Policy of encouraging employment in the Borough.

The staff who transferred under the contract are now Capita employees. 

As with any contractor, Capita is able to make changes to its team structures and job roles to meet its business need without recourse to council approval.

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