Agenda and minutes

An apology for absence was received from Councillor Mrs S M Bayford.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Panel held on 8 November 2012.

It was AGREED that the revised minutes, at items 7 & 9, of the meeting of the Streetscene Policy Development and Review Panel held on 8 November 2012 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

There were no Chairman’s announcements.

To receive any declarations of interest from members in accordance with Standing Orders and the Council’s Code of Conduct and disclosures of advice or directions received from Group Leaders or Political Groups, in accordance with the Council’s Constitution.

There were no declarations of interest or disclosures of advice or directions made at this meeting.

To receive any deputations of which notice has been lodged.

There were no deputations made at this meeting.

To consider a report by the Director of Streetscene which reviews the outcome of the Panel’s work programme for 2012/13 and suggests a draft work programme for 2013/14.

The Panel considered a report by the Director of Streetscene which reviewed the outcomes of the Panel’s work programme for 2012/13 and suggested a draft work programme for 2013/14.

The Director of Streetscene acknowledged that several members had commented over the proposed work programme for 2013/14 as many of the items on the work programme are for information only. He explained that the Streetscene department had gone through several major changes over the past few years and that all services have been streamlined and now operate far more efficiently, which has resulted in there being fewer items needing reviewing on the work programme. He also explained to the Panel that he had introduced a new item, open forum, onto the work programme. This is to allow members more opportunity to raise issues or to discuss items as they come up through the year.

It was AGREED that:

(a)  the review of the work programme for 2012/13, as shown in Appendix A to the report, be noted;

(b)  the proposed work programme for 2013/14, as set out in Appendix A to these minutes, be approved, and

(c)  the proposed work programme for 2013/14 be submitted to Council for approval.

At the approval of the Chairman for an additional item, the Director of Streetscene gave an update on the textiles recycling.

He explained to the Panel that the new textile arrangements will come into effect in April 2013. The contract for the textile arrangements had put out to tender and the tender has been awarded to European Recycling Company, and this will be a 4 year contract. The current charity banks on the Fareham Borough Council sites will be removed on 1 April 2013 and the new banks installed on 4 April 2013. It was also explained to the Panel that there is currently a consultation taking place with the public where a number of options had been identified as to how the proceeds could be distributed.

At the invitation of the Chairman Councillor Keeble addressed the Panel on this item, and informed them that he will be bringing this item to the Executive in April.

Members discussed this topic at length and agreed that it is an extremely positive change to the current textile arrangement, which will have a positive benefit for the residents of Fareham. Members also expressed a keen interest in ensuring that this new arrangement is well advertised so that the public are made fully aware of it and the benefits of it.