Agenda item

The Leader of the Council and Chief Executive and Director of Customer and Community Services submitted an exception report on the 2014/15 Service Plans.

The Chief Executive and Director of Customer and Community Services provided an update of 32 actions which had been either achieved, on target, suspended, deleted or had had their completion dates revised.  It was noted that action 14-ES03 (Development of a business case for the Council to fund replacement gym equipment at Hartham and Grange Paddocks) had been deleted and that 11-ES21 (Castle Weir Micro Hydro Scheme at Hertford Theatre) referred to earlier in the meeting, was under consideration by the Environment Agency.

The Chief Executive and Director of Customer and Community Services advised that there were four outstanding actions for 2013/14 which should have been referred to Community Scrutiny Committee.  He provided a summary of the actions.

Councillor E Buckmaster queried whether enhancements to Sawbridgeworth would be progressing.  The Head of Environmental Services explained that appropriate funding needed to be identified and that further discussions with the Town Council needed to take place.

In response to a query from Councillor E Buckmaster regarding working with schools and Hertfordshire County Council to ensure the long term financial sustainability of joint use pools, the Head of Environmental Services explained that on-going discussions were taking place with two schools, both of which were uncertain about government funding regimes and that options for the future sustainability of leisure centres were being explored.

Councillor C Woodward congratulated Officers and the Dog Team in achieving the RSPCA Gold Footprint Award.  He asked that Members’ congratulations be formally passed on to Officers.  This was supported.

Councillor C Woodward asked where the “Love Your Local Market” week had been held and queried whether it could be extended.  He also asked for an update in relation to the revised management plan for Waytemore Castle.  The Chief Executive and Director of Customer and Community Services explained that the market had been held in Hertford and would write to the Member concerning any proposals to extend it.  In relation to Waytemore Castle, the Head of Environmental Services advised that a lot of work had been undertaken on site in terms of a joint approach with Bishops Stortford Town Council.  He hoped to report back with further information as soon as possible.  The Head of Environmental Services commented that the Master Plan was under development with the Town Council and significant progress had been made.  This would be completed in 2015.

Councillor C Woodward referred to SPARC and the fact that some Councils had adopted three-weekly collections.  He sought assurances that the Council was keeping abreast of what was happening with other Councils.  The Head of Environmental Services advised that he was aware that some councils were considering theis but did not support it as some residents place food waste in their black bin and this would mean it stayed there for three weeks.  This would not be acceptable  especially during the summer months.  He stated that the three-weekly collections of residual waste introduced by a few councils was supported by more frequent collections of food waste.

The Committee received the report.

RESOLVED – that progress against the Council’s priorities, including revised completion dates, suspensions and deletions against 2014/15 Service Plan actions and 2013/14 and 2011/12 Service Plan actions be noted; and

(B)   Members’ thanks be passed on to Officers for their efforts in achieving the RSPCA Gold Footprint Award.