Agenda, decisions and minutes

None.

The Portfolio Holder is asked to sign the minutes of the meeting held on 22 December 2016 as a correct record.

The minutes of the meeting held on 22 December 2016 were agreed as a correct record.

The Interim Head of Waste and Recycling reported that the bin round changes at the end of the month were being heavily publicised.

The Head of Service, Environmental Health & Licensing stated that an article would be appearing in the next South Cambs magazine detailing the Council’s participation in the Healthier Options Partnership. It was noted that the benefits of this scheme were difficult to measure.

The Environmental Services Portfolio Holder

AGREED       

A)           The fees and charges as set out in appendix 1 of the report, with the amendment of the maximum charge for the Serving of Improvement Notices Under the Housing Act 2004 to £550.

B)           The fees and charges for the Commercial Waste Service, as laid out in the report.

The Head of Service, Environmental Health and Licensing presented this report, which proposed fees and charges for Health and Environmental for the 2017/18 financial year. He indicated which fees and charges were statutory and so could not be amended.

The Head of Service, Environmental Health and Licensing explained that the aim of the fees were to pay for the cost of providing the service. For example the report proposed that the fee for the renewal of a vehicle licence be reduced by £5, as the renewal process had become more efficient.

Minor amendment to report

It was noted that the 2016/17 charge for a licence for houses in multiple occupancy was £650.00, not £6505.

The Environmental Services Portfolio Holder stated that on balance he would prefer to set a high maximum charge to allow officers the flexibility to charge more if it was necessary to recover costs.

Serving improvement notice under the Housing Act 2004

The Environmental Services Portfolio Holder expressed concern that a maximum charge of £250 for the serving of an improvement notice under the Housing Act 2004 might be insufficient to cover the Council’s costs in more complicated cases. He therefore decided to set a maximum charge of £550.

The Head of Service, Environmental Health and Licensing made the following points:

·         The cost of the initial application for a Sex Shop Establishment was £3,750 due to the cost of dealing with the concerns expressed by local residents.

·         The cost of inspecting zoos varied greatly depending on the premises and the issues raised by those carrying out the inspection.

The Head of Service, Waste and Recycling Operations made the following points:

·         It was proposed that no charge should be made for supplying extra blue or green bins, as these encouraged more recycling.

·         Officers often worked with parish councils to prosecute for dog fouling, although enforcement was time consuming.

Setting fees for the collection of commercial waste

The Environmental Services Portfolio Holder accepted the proposed fees in the report.

The Environmental Services Portfolio Holder

AGREED       

A)           The fees and charges as set out in appendix 1 of the report, with the amendment of the maximum charge for the Serving of Improvement Notices Under the Housing Act 2004 to £550.

B)           The fees and charges for the Commercial Waste Service, as laid out in the report.

The Environmental Services Portfolio Holder

AGREED

A)           That Cottenham centre remain on review to give them opportunity to improve with a new manager.

B)           That Cambourne centre remain on review to see if future development plans can capitalise on the potential of this centre.

C)           To support the future long term vision for the A&H4L scheme.

D)           To support the aims for 2017/2018 financial year.

The Head of Sustainable Communities and Wellbeing presented this report, which updated the Environmental Services Portfolio Holder on the Council’s Active & Healthy 4 Life exercise referral scheme. She explained that referrals were up by 60% compared to this time last year and completions had increased by 157%. Previously, the centres had been paid regardless of whether the service user attended their sessions. Those who did not attend would be contacted to ascertain why.

Gamlingay Sports Centre   

The Head of Sustainable Communities and Wellbeing was pleased to recommend that the Gamlingay Sports Centre no longer needed to be under review. Local member Councillor Bridget Smith was praised for her work in increasing the number of referrals and helping to drive the improvements.

Cambourne and Cottenham sports centres

The Head of Sustainable Communities and Wellbeing explained that the Sports Inclusion Co-ordinator was liaising regularly with the staff at both centres and it was recommended that these centres should remain on review for the time being.

It was noted that local authorities in the surrounding areas ran similar schemes.

The Director of Health and Environmental Services agreed to check the scheme of delegation regarding the setting of charges for the users of this service.

The Environmental Services Portfolio Holder

AGREED

A)           That Cottenham centre remain on review to give them opportunity to improve with a new manager.

B)           That Cambourne centre remain on review to see if future development plans can capitalise on the potential of this centre.

C)           To support the future long term vision for the A&H4L scheme.

D)           To support the aims for 2017/2018 financial year.

The Portfolio Holder is invited to identify any items that will be the subject of consideration and / or decision by the Portfolio Holder, or recommendation to, or referral by, the Portfolio Holder to Cabinet, Council, or any other constituent part of the Council.

It was noted that there was no Forward Plan.

Councillors are asked to bring their diaries.

Meetings will be held when necessary.