Agenda and minutes

The Head of Neighbourhood Services submitted a report updating Members on the consultation exercise currently underway on the Waste Strategy.

To date 12,000 responses had been received with 1,700 indicating a wish to be further involved in the consultation process.  A further letter and information pack had accordingly been sent seeking their views on the Best Practical Environmental Option (BPEO) criteria.  This could be done by returning a completed form through the post or by attending a drop-in session held on the 23^rd, 24^th or 25^th November, 2004.

A stakeholder consultation day had recently been held to outline the Strategy options being considered by Rotherham and to get views on the BPEO.  Stakeholder attendees included Rotherham Chamber of Commerce, the Environment Agency, and the Local Strategic Partnership.  Also a Health Impact Assessment Seminar and Workshop had been held on 1^st December, 2004, in conjunction with the Primary Care Trust.

A further report would be submitted in January, 2005, setting out the proposed Strategy.  It was suggested that the report be submitted to the January meeting of the Environment Scrutiny Panel.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the consultation initiatives being undertaken to inform the development of the Municipal Waste Management Strategy be noted.

(2)  That a presentation be made to the January meeting of the Environment Scrutiny Panel.

(3)  That the Cabinet Member’s appreciation be placed on record for the work of Gill Charters, Waste Management Co-ordinator, who was leaving the Authority to take up a post at Sheffield City Council.

Resolved:-  That, under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 8 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 (provision of work/supply of goods or services).

Resolved:-  That, under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in those paragraphs stated below of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972.

The Executive Director of Neighbourhoods presented a report which had been submitted to the Performance and Scrutiny Overview Committee on 26^th November, 2004 including a LGIU briefing on Sir Peter Gershon’s Efficiency Review.

Discussion ensued on the document with particular reference to the Programme Area.  The following issues were raised:-

-              Productivity by the addressing of staff sickness rates and the increase of mobile working technology

-              That the Gershon agenda be considered when setting annual budgets

-              That lobbying take place for a reduction in the number of inspections

-              “Going Local” and the Local Lettings Policies be flagged up as examples of business process redesigning

Resolved:-  That the report be noted.

(Exempt under Paragraph 8 of the Act – provision of work/supply of goods or services)

(report of Finance and Accountancy Manager attached)

The Finance and Accountancy Manager submitted a report setting out proposals to meet the 2.5% Base Budget efficiency savings indicated by the Gershon Review in respect of the General Fund elements of the Neighbourhoods Programme Area.

Appendix 1 outlined the savings suggested whilst Appendix 2 provided details of the risks and service implications associated with the proposals. 

Resolved:-  That the report be noted and work on the proposed savings continue.

(Exempt under Paragraph 8 of the Act – provision of work/supply of goods or services)