Agenda and minutes

Councillor Swindlehurst was substitute member for Councillor Brady and Councillor Johnson substituted for Councillor Plimley.

DECIDED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 28 September 2022 be approved.

There were no urgent items of business.

·         Disclosable Pecuniary Interests

·         Other Interests

No declarations of interest were made.

(At least two clear days notice required, in writing, to the Proper Officer in accordance with Procedure Rule 15).

Q1. Received from Cllr Hart

“Why has the sewage plant for Biddulph Grange Country Park not been installed?”

Response from Cllr Aberley – Portfolio Holder for Customer Services:

Under the terms of arrangements with Biddulph Town Council, SMDC retained responsibility for the drains and sewerage systems which are excluded from the lease at Biddulph Country Park Visitors Centre.

Following some major blockage issues arising from the public WCs at Biddulph Grange Country Park, the Council undertook a drainage clearance and CCTV condition survey of the pipework in 2021. It became evident during the course of these repairs that a new system was required to deal with the sewerage stemming from these WCs. An estimated cost was included in the capital programme under the Asset Management Plan. This was authorised during the budget setting process for 2022/23.  

The budgets and capital delivery staff have now transferred to Alliance Norse Limited (ANL), and this project is allocated to them. The focus over the last few months has been to mobilise ANL and prioritise emergency repair work over capital but as the new joint venture settles down we are looking at options to catch up.  The aim is still to complete this work within this financial year. If not, the budget will carry forward into 23/24 for delivery. In the meantime, any repair and maintenance issues arising from the drains will be dealt with by ANL on a priority basis.

Councillor Hart commented that the response was comprehensive and acceptable.

Further questions were not related to the original question submitted and Councillor Hart agreed to provide these to the Democratic Service Team.

Any additional items to be added to the Work Programme:

·         Chair’s Items

·         Members’ Items

DECIDED:

That the Work Programme for 2022-2023 be agreed.

Officers from Alliance Environmental Services presented the Annual Performance Update to the Panel. The presentation covered the following topics:

·       An employee update

·       Performance and efficiency

·       Activity in the community

·       Collection rates

·       Performance around street cleansing, grounds and parks

·       Financial Outturn for 2021/22

·       2021/22 Savings Plan update

·       Future development and continuous improvement

·       Journey towards carbon neutral by 2030

·       Business Development

During the debate reference was made to the overall profit being retained at both Councils, the impact of ‘No Mow May’, criteria for new litter bins and feasibility of on-street recycling bins.

Overall, members were pleased with the street cleansing of the area, but recently it been noticed that the standard of cleansing had deteriorated, particularly in the town centre of Leek. Other areas identified for increased cleansing included the West End of Leek near to the Co-operative store and around items of street furniture in Cheadle. The officers agreed this information would be fed back to the team.

The pavements in rural parts of the district were also mentioned as they required the leaves to be swept. Councillor Hawkins was asked to identify the areas after the meeting so this could be looked into.

In response to a query around the cleansing schedule in Cheadle, the officers agreed to contact the Town Clerk.

The number of additional trees planted as part of the Queen’s Jubilee and the locations of ‘No Mow May’ would be circulated to members after the meeting. Consideration would be given to AES working with the Allotment Association. Members were advised of a new initiative to use compost from the organic waste collected from households in the flower beds throughout the district.

Appreciation was expressed to the Grounds Maintenance staff and for the expedient response to requests from councillors, on the rare occasion they were notified of an issue.

An issue raised by a member of the Panel related to an overflowing litter bin on a Totally Locally Market day. The officers were aware of this matter and would replay this to the team.

The Chair thanked the officers for attending the meeting and for the informative presentation.

DECIDED: That the performance update be received.

The Chair to move:-

 “That pursuant to Section 100A (2) and (4) of the Local Government Act, 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or nature of the proceedings whereby it is likely that exempt information as defined in Section 100A (3) of the Act would be disclosed to the public in breach of the obligation of confidence or exempt information as defined in Section 100I (1) of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act would be disclosed to the public by virtue of the paragraphs indicated.”

The Chair moved:-

 “That pursuant to Section 100A (2) and (4) of the Local Government Act, 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or nature of the proceedings whereby it is likely that exempt information as defined in Section 100A (3) of the Act would be disclosed to the public in breach of the obligation of confidence or exempt information as defined in Section 100I (1) of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act would be disclosed to the public by virtue of the paragraphs indicated.”

DECIDED:

That the exempt minutes of the meeting held on 28 September 2022 be approved.