Agenda, decisions and minutes

There were no apologies for absence.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of Executive held on 11 February 2013.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Executive held on 11 February 2013 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

The Executive Leader was pleased to announce that following a formal tender process, the European Recycling Company Ltd had been appointed to provide and service clothing and textile recycling banks on Fareham Borough Council land. He confirmed that the contract would commence on 1^st April 2013 and wouldrun for a period of four years.

The Executive Leader stated that the contract is a framework agreement that other councils in Hampshire would be able to benefit from, with Fareham acting as the lead authority. He affirmed that the European Recycling Company is well established in this field, providing similar services for a number of other local authorities across England and that their operational, ethical end environmental credentials are among the best in the sector.

The Executive Leader confirmed that the new banks would be blue in colour and would carry the Council’s corporate branding. Installation would take place on 3^rdand 4^th April 2103 on 14 existing sites, plus an additional 15 sites that have been identified. These are mainly in council owned car parks throughout the borough.

The Executive Leader identified three significant benefits that would result from the contract:

1.    The additional sites will provide better facilities for residents to recycle;

2.    Environmental – approximately 800 tonnes of clothing is still thrown away in residents' refuse (green top) bins annually – the additional facilities will help to reduce this; and

3.    Financial – the council will receive a significant revenue income from the sale of the recycled material.

The Executive Leader confirmed that the Council is currently consulting residents on how they would like the proceeds from this arrangement to be distributed. Consultation is taking place via the e-panel, presentations at CATS meetings and via the Council Connect stand in the Fareham shopping centre. The consultation closes on Sunday 10^th March following which the Director of Streetscene will bring a report to Executive in April with a recommendation on how the income should be distributed, once an analysis of the results of the consultation has been completed.

The Executive Leader welcomed the news that the agreement has secured a highly competitive price for each tonne collected, which should result in significantly more income being generated than is currently the case. Early indications from the consultation suggest that residents would like the proceeds to be distributed to a variety of good causes. The Executive Leader concluded that there is every possibility that all interested parties, including the charities that currently operate banks on these sites, will benefit substantially from the new arrangements.

To receive any declarations of interest from members in accordance with Standing Orders and the Council’s Code of Conduct.

Councillor Cartwright declared a pecuniary interest for item 8(1) - Housing Allocations Policy as his father-in-law is currently registered on the Housing Waiting List. Councillor Cartwright left the room for this item and was not present for the discussion or decision.

There were no petitions presented for this meeting.

To receive any deputations, of which notice has been lodged.

The Executive received a deputation from Mr Raymond Randall in relation to item 9(1) - Lockswood Community Centre and was thanked accordingly (see minute 9(1) below.

The Executive received a deputation from Mr Geoffrey Eales in relation to item 9(1) - Lockswood Community Centre and was thanked accordingly (see minute 9(1) below.

The Executive Leader agreed to bring that item for consideration forward on the agenda.

To receive any reference from the committees or panels held.

The Executive received the minutes of the Housing Tenancy Board held on 21 January 2013. There were no outstanding references from this meeting.

To receive the minutes of the meeting of the Housing Tenancy Board held on 21^st January 2013 and to consider any recommendations.

a report by the Director of Community

(a)     That the Executive approves the proposed new Allocations Policy is adopted for implementation from 1st May 2013

(b)     That the existing waiting list is frozen and all housing applications be reviewed and re-prioritised

(c)     That the Member Working group reconvene in Nov 2013 to evaluate the impact of the changes and report their findings to the Health & Housing Panel

a report by the Director of Community

That the draft Tenancy Strategy and the draft Tenancy Policy are approved for adoption and implementation with effect from 1 April 2013.

a report by the Director of Community

(a)       That the Executive approves the continued funding of the Lockswood Community Centre for a further 3 months, pending the transfer of management to the newly formed Lockswood Community & Sports Association.

(b)       That the Executive approves the progress on the formation of a community association.

(c)       That the Council appoint a trustee to sit on the management committee of the newly formed charity.

a report by the Director of Planning and Environment

a report by the Director of Community

a report by the Director of Planning and Environment

To consider whether it is in the public interest to exclude the public and representatives of the Press from the remainder of the meeting on the grounds that the matters to be dealt with involve the likely disclosure of exempt information, as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

a report by the Director of Community

a report by the Director of Finance and Resources

That the debts listed in Appendix A to the report, be written off as irrecoverable.