Agenda and minutes

The Council stood in silence as a mark of respect following the recent death of Leonne Weeks from Dinnington.

To consider any announcements by the Mayor or the Leader.

The Mayor reported she had attended over seventy engagements since the last Council Meeting, including an appointment with Ray Matthews, and attended many Christmas concerts and carol services.

The Mayor referred to a open mic charity event on the 2^nd February, 2017 at Rotherham Trades Club and encouraged as many people to attend as possible.

The Mayor shared information on her recent trip to China where she led a convention to promote digital health care with representatives from Rotherham and the Sheffield City Region on behalf of the British Embassy.

The Mayor invited the Leader to share any announcements of his own and he was pleased to report on the unanimous guilty verdict which saw five men convicted of child sexual exploitation during 1999 to 2001.  A sixth man had also pleaded guilty.  The Leader’s thoughts were with the survivors and their families and his thanks given to the Police and individual staff who had brought this case to justice.

To receive the apologies of any Member who is unable to attend the meeting.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Fenwick-Green, Mallinder, Rushforth, Russell, John Turner, Watson and Whysall.

To report on any petitions received by the Council.

The Mayor reported that two petitions had been submitted, but had not met the threshold for consideration by Council, and would be referred to the relevant directorate for a response to be prepared. The petitions were:-

·             From 67 residents regarding road safety on Warren Vale Road, Swinton asking the Council and the Police to investigate and take action on concerns.

·             From 15 residents requesting the Council to install measures to prevent parking on the blocked paved pavement on Rectory Gardens, Todwick.

Councillor Sansome, having received the petition from residents on Warren Vale Road, urged the Council and the Police to undertake a study of this section of highway and to take any action necessary.

Councillor Sansome had also circulated consultation documentation regarding Children’s Anaesthesia and stressed the importance of sharing with residents’ the proposals and the need to respond.

Any communication received by the Mayor or Chief Executive which relates to a recommendation of the Cabinet or a committee which was received after the relevant meeting.

No communications were received.

To invite Councillors to declare any disclosable pecuniary interests or personal interests they may have in any matter which is to be considered at this meeting, to confirm the nature of those interests and whether they intend to leave the meeting for the consideration of the item.

The Monitoring Officer will provide advice at the meeting to councillors who may have disclosable pecuniary interests as tenants in council owned housing or property. If you should have any concerns regarding a potential interest, you should contact the Monitoring Officer in advance of the meeting for advice.

The following Declarations of Interest were received:-

Minute No. 112 (Housing Rents 2017/18)

·             Councillor Allcock declared a personal and disclosable pecuniary interest on the grounds of being a Council tenant and family members tenants.  He would leave the room and not participate in any debate or decision.

·             Councillor Andrews declared a personal and disclosable pecuniary interest on the grounds of being a Council tenant and family members tenants.  She would leave the room and not participate in any debate or decision.

·             Councillor Atkin declared a personal interest on the grounds that a family member was a Council tenant.

·             Councillor Cusworth declared a personal interest on the grounds that family members were Council tenants.

·             Councillor Hague declared a personal interest on the grounds that family members were Council tenants.

·             Councillor Lelliott declared a personal and disclosable pecuniary interest on the grounds of being a Council tenant and family members being tenants.  She would leave the room and not participate in any debate or decision.

·             Councillor Keenan declared a personal interest on the grounds that family members were Council tenants.

·             Councillor Marles declared a personal interest on the grounds that family members were Council tenants.

·             Councillor McNeely declared a disclosable pecuniary interest on the grounds of being a Council tenant.  She would leave the room and not participate in any debate or decision.

·             Councillor Napper declared a personal interest on the grounds of family members being tenants.  He would leave the room and not participate in any debate or decision.

·             Councillor Reeder declared a personal and disclosable pecuniary interest on the grounds of being a Council tenant.  She would leave the room and not participate in any debate or decision.

·             Councillor Senior declared a personal interest on the grounds that family members were Council tenants.

·             Councillor Short declared a personal interest on the grounds of family members being tenants.  He would leave the room and not participate in any debate or decision.

·             Councillor Williams declared a personal interest on the grounds that family members were Council tenants.

·             Councillor Wyatt declared a personal and disclosable pecuniary interest on the grounds of being a Council tenant and family members being tenants.  He would leave the room and not participate in any debate or decision.

Minute No. 118 (District Heating Scheme Charges 2017/18)

·             Councillor Cusworth declared a personal interest on the grounds that family members were in receipt of this heating.  She would remain in the room and speak, but would not take participate in the vote.

To receive the record of proceedings of the ordinary meeting of the Council held on 7^th December, 2016 and to approve the accuracy thereof.

Resolved:-  That the minutes of the meeting of Council held on 7^th  December, 2016, be approved for signature by the Mayor.

Mover:-  Councillor Read                       Seconder:-  Councillor Lelliott

To receive questions from members of the public who may wish to ask a general question of the Mayor, Cabinet Member or the Chairman of a Committee.

(1)  The question from Mr. Coughlan fell as he was unable to be present.

(2)  Mrs. Davies asked why was a housing estate allowed to be built on the tip’s doorstep when the tip is known to contain dangerous substances?

Councillor Hoddinott in responding to this question thanked all the members of the public and Ward Members for raising their concerns and for submitting the motion to highlight the Council’s position.  There were serious concerns about the lack of regard by the Environment Agency for not consulting with the Council on the reward of the permit and how the Environment Agency was being called upon to revoke.

The housing estate referred to was built within planning rules in force at the time.  The concerns were shared about what the tip contained and assurances were being sought from the Environment Agency that the samples being provided were both reliable and accurate.  In particular there were concerns about some of the history of this company and to this end third party involvement was being requested to provide the assurances that the sample testing was correct.

(3)  Mr. Currie asked did the Council have the power to determine the routes used by Grange Landfill, when the environmental agency give the green light for tipping to go ahead?

Councillor Hoddinott confirmed the Council had no powers to determine which of these routes of access were used, unless, there were other safety hazards which presented a risk of injury.  It was known that a junior football club used the area, but the Council was currently working very hard to ensure the legal position in relation to access to the site, was clarified with a common understanding of the issue.

In a supplementary question Mr. Currie asked would the Cabinet Member agree with him that it seemed unsurprisingly coincidental that a tip wanted to open when imminent proposed development at Bassingthorpe Farm was on the cards and whether a public consultation should be held.  He was happy to receive this answer in writing.

Councillor Hoddinott would respond to this question in writing.

(4)  Mr. Mckenna asked what guarantees could the Council give that Walkworth Wood (which is ancient woodland) would be protected should this tipping go ahead?

Councillor Hoddinott confirmed the Council was looking to the Environment Agency, who were the regulator for the proposed landfill site, to tackle any impact on local woodlands by the site. This was why the Council was requesting trusted analysis results so the returns to the Environment Agency were true and accurate.  This would ensure all was being done to protect that area to avoid any run off or gas escapes and that appropriate measures were put in this area.

In a supplementary question Mr. Mckenna understood the Planning Department had it’s hands tied due to a 1958 permit, but was considering, on behalf of the Droppingwell Action Group, writing to the Secretary of State for the Environment and asked for the Council’s support.

Councillor Hoddinott referred  ...  view the full minutes text for item 102.

To receive and consider the reports, minutes and recommendations of the Cabinet and Commissioners’ Decision Making Meetings held on 12 December 2016 and 9 January, 2017.

Resolved:-  That the reports, recommendations and minutes of the meetings of the Cabinet/Commissioners’ Decision Making Meeting held on 12^th December, 2016 and 9^th January, 2017, be received.

Mover:-  Councillor Read                       Seconder:-  Councillor Lelliott

Should it be necessary, in the opinion of the Mayor, to consider excluding the press and public from the meeting in relation to any items of urgent business on the grounds that private information is likely to be divulged.

Item 11 on the agenda (Recommendation from Cabinet – Boston Park Reservoir) contains exempt information. If the meeting needs to discuss the detail of the exempt information, it will be necessary for the Mayor to propose:

That under Section 100(A) 4 of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12(A) of such Act indicated, as now amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) (Variation) Order 2006.

The Mayor reported that, should any Member wish to discuss the detail of the exempt information at Minute No. 106 (Recommendation from Cabinet – Boston Park Reservoir) the press and public would be excluded from the meeting.

To consider a recommendation from Commissioner Kenny in respect of the inclusion of additional schemes within the Capital Programme.

Resolved:-  That the inclusion of the schemes identified in Section 4.2 of the appended report in the Capital Programme 2016/17 be approved.

Mover:-  Councillor Lelliott                      Seconder:-  Councillor Read

To consider a recommendation from Commissioner Kenny to include the project for improvement works at Boston Park within the Capital Programme.

Resolved:-  That the inclusion of the project to undertake improvement works at Boston Park in the Capital Programme, to the value of the capital receipt, be approved.

Mover:-  Councillor Yasseen                  Seconder:-  Councillor Read

To consider a recommendation from Commissioner Kenny to include the scheme for Barkers Park Changing Rooms within the Capital Programme.

Resolved:-  That the inclusion of the Barkers Park Changing Room scheme in the Capital Programme be approved.

Mover:-  Councillor Lelliott            Seconder:-  Councillor Read

To consider a recommendation from Cabinet to include the upgrade project within the Capital Programme as an invest to save scheme.

Resolved:-  That inclusion of the scheme in the Council’s Capital Programme at a cost of £1.65m, to be funded by prudential borrowing, as an invest to save scheme, be approved.

Mover:-  Councillor Hoddinott                 Seconder:-  Councillor Read

To consider a recommendation from Cabinet in respect of the inclusion of the scheme for the development of 30 hour childcare places within the Capital Programme.

Resolved:-  That, subject to the funding bid being successful, the inclusion of the DfE capital funded projects into the Capital Programme, be approved in principle.

Mover:-  Councillor Read                       Seconder:-  Councillor Lelliott

To consider recommendations from Cabinet arising from the November 2016 Financial Monitoring Report and Mid-Year Treasury Review in respect of the Capital Programme and Prudential Indicators.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the following schemes be included in the 2016/17 Capital Programme (paragraphs 2.13):-

·             Capitalisation of Building Repair and Maintenance Costs - £157,00

·             Capitalisation of costs relating to Pit House West - £85,000

·             Capitalisation of Grass Cutter - Rother Valley Country Park - £35,000

(2)  That changes to budgets identified in Appendix 3 for projects which are already included in the Approved Capital Programme be approved.

(3)  That the position in respect of the Mid-Year Treasury Review be noted and the changes to the 2016/17 prudential indicators be approved.

Councillor Reeder expressed her concern about Clifton Community School’s conversion to a sponsored academy and the £1.2 m deficit balance falling on the Council.

Mover:-  Councillor Alam                        Seconder:-  Councillor Read

To consider recommendations from Cabinet in respect of the Council Tax Reduction Scheme and the calculation of the Council Tax Base for 2017/18.  

Resolved:-  (1)  That Rotherham’s Council Tax Reduction Scheme for 2017/18 be unchanged from 2016/17.

(2)  That Council Tax discounts and premiums not be changed for 2017/18.

(3)  That the amount calculated by Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council as its Council Tax Base and those of the Parish Councils shown at Appendix A for 2017/18 shall be a total of 68,235.14 Band D Equivalent Properties.

Mover:-  Councillor Alam                        Seconder:-  Councillor Read

To consider recommendations from Cabinet in respect of housing rents for 2017/18.

Resolved:-  (1)  That Rotherham’s Council Tax Reduction Scheme for 2017/18 be unchanged from 2016/17.

(2)  That Council Tax discounts and premiums not be changed for 2017/18.

(3)  That the amount calculated by Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council as its Council Tax Base and those of the Parish Councils shown at Appendix A for 2017/18 shall be a total of 68,235.14 Band D Equivalent Properties.

Mover:-  Councillor Beck                        Seconder:-  Councillor Read

(Councillors Allcock, Andrews, Lelliott, McNeely, Napper, Reeder, Short and Wyatt declared personal and disclosable pecuniary interests on the grounds of being Council tenants and/or family members tenants.  They all left the room and did not participate in any debate or decision)

(Councillors Atkin, Cusworth, Hague, Keenan, Marles, Senior and Williams declared personal interests on the grounds that family members were Council tenants)

To consider recommendations from Cabinet in respect of proposed charges for the District Heating Scheme 2017/18.

Resolved:-  (1)  That there be no increase to the unit charge for the pooled district heating schemes.

(2)  That there be no increase to the pre-payment weekly charge for the pooled and unmetered scheme at Beeversleigh.

(3)  That there be no increase to the unit KWh charge at the Swinton district heating scheme.

(4)  That a further review of the performance of the pooled schemes be undertaken in 2017/18 including the extent to which full cost recovery has been achieved.

Mover:-  Councillor Beck                        Seconder:-  Councillor Read

The three Ward Members for the Swinton area expressed their concerns for the high costs facing the Fitzwilliam tenants who were part of the district heating scheme.  Tenants were looking to alternative options to keep warm, were on fixed incomes and suffering severe hardship and fuel poverty.

The Cabinet Member was, therefore, asked to undertake a full review of the charges based on a full year operation of the new meters, including any potential refunds to tenants, how the heat was used and how this compared to other offers, as a matter of some urgency.

Councillor Beck confirmed a full review of the performance of the pooled scheme would be undertaken in 2017/18, including the extent to which full cost recovery had been achieved.

(Councillor Cusworth declared a personal interest on the grounds that family members were in receipt of this heating.  She remained in the room and spoke, but did not take participate in the vote)

To consider recommendations to amend the Financial Procedure Rules and Contract Standing Orders set out in the Constitution.

Consideration was given to a report which summarised the main changes proposed to be made to the Financial Regulations and Contract Standing Orders.

The Financial Regulations have been shortened and modernised and consequently converted into more active language with more responsibility given to the Chief Finance Officer and Strategic Director to manage the Council’s finances in line with the Council’s policy framework and budget and to be accountable to Members in doing so.

The Contract Standing Orders were updated to reflect the Public Contract Regulations 2015, the move to always using electronic tenders and the introduction of a procurement business case process for planning procurements along with a section on contract management.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the constitutional amendments relating to the Financial Regulations and Contract Standing Orders set out in appendices 2 and 3 to this report be approved.

(2)  That the Financial Regulations be renamed Financial Procedure Rules and the Contract Standing Orders be renamed Contract Procedure Rules and that all relevant documents be amended to reflect this change in wording.

(3)  That, subject to the proposed amendments being approved, the relevant renumbering of the documents be undertaken.

(4)  That a review of the effectiveness of the changes be reported to the Standards and Ethics Committee by the end of the calendar year.

Mover:-  Councillor McNeely                  Seconder:-  Councillor Read

This Council believes:-

•             The Environment Agency should not have awarded a permit for the recommencing of waste disposal adjacent to Droppingwell Road on the Watson’s Tip site. 

•             This action will have a detrimental impact on the local residents, organisations in the area and the environment. We are proud of our local amenity, which includes Millmoor Juniors Football Club and Peter Cowen’s Golf Academy, and feel that the decision could put these organisations at risk. 

•             The Environment Agency, nor any regulatory body, can effectively regulate tipping at Watson’s Tip, and the risks associated with the closed and capped section of the licensed site.

This Council notes with concern:-

•             The lack of consultation from the Environment Agency with the Council and elected members before making the variations and consolidating the permit to Grange Landfill in relation to the recommencement of waste disposal activities at the Droppingwell site.

•             The lack of consultation by the Environment Agency with local residents and organisations and the failure to attend a recent local public meeting.

•             The Council has submitted significant evidence to the Environment Agency concerning the companies involved, financial matters, compliance, and previous fraudulent and dishonest activity in relation to disposing of waste to landfill.

This Council calls on the Environment Agency to:-

•             Communicate effectively with all who will be affected by this variation.

•             To re-examine its decision to permit the variations to the permit for Grange Landfill taking into account the evidence provided by the Council.

The conclusion of any such a review should inevitably lead to the Environment Agency taking steps to revoke the permit granted for tipping at the Watson’s Tip site. Till then the Council will continue to raise the risks the site may pose to surrounding land, the environment and the public.

Proposer:-  Councillor Clark                             Seconder:-  Councillor Hague

Moved by Councillor Clark and seconded by Councillor Hague

This Council believes:-

•             The Environment Agency should not have awarded a permit for the recommencing of waste disposal adjacent to Droppingwell Road on the Watson’s Tip site. 

•             This action will have a detrimental impact on the local residents, organisations in the area and the environment. We are proud of our local amenity, which includes Millmoor Juniors Football Club and Peter Cowen’s Golf Academy, and feel that the decision could put these organisations at risk. 

•             The Environment Agency, nor any regulatory body, can effectively regulate tipping at Watson’s Tip, and the risks associated with the closed and capped section of the licensed site.

This Council notes with concern:-

•             The lack of consultation from the Environment Agency with the Council and elected members before making the variations and consolidating the permit to Grange Landfill in relation to the recommencement of waste disposal activities at the Droppingwell site.

•             The lack of consultation by the Environment Agency with local residents and organisations and the failure to attend a recent local public meeting.

•             The Council has submitted significant evidence to the Environment Agency concerning the companies involved, financial matters, compliance, and previous fraudulent and dishonest activity in relation to disposing of waste to landfill.

This Council calls on the Environment Agency to:-

•             Communicate effectively with all who will be affected by this variation.

•             To re-examine its decision to permit the variations to the permit for Grange Landfill taking into account the evidence provided by the Council.

The conclusion of any such a review should inevitably lead to the Environment Agency taking steps to revoke the permit granted for tipping at the Watson’s Tip site. Till then the Council will continue to raise the risks the site may pose to surrounding land, the environment and the public.

On being put to the vote, the motion was carried unanimously by the Council.

That this Council resolves to fully support the proposal that voter, be it photo or council documents, be required to be presented at a polling booth before a vote is able to be cast, and that there is a crackdown on postal vote “harvesting”.

That this Council asks the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government to make the Metropolitan Borough of Rotherham and the areas of the constituencies of Rotherham, Rother Valley and Wentworth & Dearne which fall within the borough, a “Pilot Area” for the scheme’s future implementation.

Proposer:-      Councillor Cowles               Seconder: Councillor Simpson

Moved by Councillor Cowles and seconded by Councillor Simpson

That this Council resolves to fully support the proposal that voter, be it photo or council documents, be required to be presented at a polling booth before a vote is able to be cast, and that there is a crackdown on postal vote “harvesting”.

That this Council asks the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government to make the Metropolitan Borough of Rotherham and the areas of the constituencies of Rotherham, Rother Valley and Wentworth & Dearne which fall within the borough, a “Pilot Area” for the scheme’s future implementation.

The motion was put, debated and LOST.

To consider and approve a revision to the following:-

·             For Councillor Evans to replace Councillor Bird on the Improving Lives Select Commission.

·             For Councillor Bird to replace Councillor Evans on the Health Select Commission.

Consideration was given to the revised membership arrangements for the current municipal year as recommended.

Resolved:-  (1)  That Councillor Evans replace Councillor Bird on the Improving Lives Select Commission.

(2) That Councillor Bird replace Councillor Evans on the Health Select Commission.

Mover:-  Councillor Sansome                 Seconder:-  Councillor Clark

To consider and note the Scrutiny Update by the Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board.

Councillor Steele provided an update on activity for the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board and Select Commissions during the last six months, using a range of different approaches to supplement the standard meetings, which included:-

·                Task and Finish Groups – current Emergency Planning Group from Improving Places.

·                Spotlight Reviews – Sub-Group of Health looked at future delivery of older people’s housing and made ten recommendations to inform policy development and consultation.

·                Visits to other Local Authorities.

·                Focused single item meetings – new Tenancy Agreement at Improving Places.

·                Improving Lives have revisited work on domestic abuse, undertaking an in-depth look at the refreshed strategy, and in particular pathway development and perpetrator programmes.

·                The Board had focused on budget scrutiny, scrutinising the proposals for the coming year in detail whilst also requesting regular reports to monitor financial performance in year.

·                Effective introduction of pre-decision scrutiny.

·                Expertise of the CfPS, in particular with regard to key principles for scrutinising performance, which are being taken forward by all the panels in their work programme.

Future activity and work programmes would include:-

·                Supporting the Youth Cabinet in a meeting with public transport providers to discuss improving access for young people.

·                Annual Quality Accounts for NHS trusts.

·                Exploring alternative delivery models for Children’s Social Care.

·                Scrutinising the Growth Plan and Selective Licensing.

Resolved:- That the Scrutiny update noted.

Mover:-  Councillor Steele                          Seconder:-  Councillor Cowles

To receive and consider reports, minutes and recommendations of the Staffing Committee.

To confirm the minutes as a true record.

Resolved:-  That the reports, recommendation and minutes of the meetings of the Staffing Committee be adopted.

Mover:-  Councillor Alam              Seconder:-  Councillor Lelliott

To receive and consider reports, minutes and recommendations of the Planning Board.

To confirm the minutes as a true record.

Resolved:-  That the reports and minutes of the meetings of the Planning Board be adopted.

Mover:-  Councillor Atkin                        Seconder:-  Councillor Tweed

To receive and consider reports, minutes and recommendations of the Licensing Board Sub-Committee.

To confirm the minutes as a true record.

Resolved:-  That the reports and minutes of the meetings of the Licensing Board Sub-Committee be adopted.

Mover:-  Councillor Buckley                    Seconder:-  Councillor Hague

To put questions, if any, to the designated Members on the discharge of functions of the South Yorkshire Police and Crime Panel, South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authority, Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield Combined Authority and South Yorkshire Pensions Authority, in accordance with Standing Order No. 7(5).

Councillor Cowles referred to the proposed changes to night time fire cover at Rotherham fire station which undoubtedly posed a greater risk to residents in terms of response times and immediate boots on the ground and asked, in this new era of transparency, why had there been no wider debate, all Wards were affected.

Councillor Atkin, Vice-Chair of South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authority, responded by confirming the proposals to change night time cover in Rotherham was part of South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authority’s Integrated Risk Management Plan for the period 2013-2017.

These proposals were consulted upon in 2013 and have only just been implemented as part of the four year plan.

The new plan which would run from April, 2017 until 2021 was currently being worked on and Members of the Council would be provided with a report or invited to an information sharing seminar in due course.

In a supplementary question Councillor Cowles referred to incidents still happening at night and normally more protracted.  Recently there had been an incident in East Herringthorpe, which without the quick response of Rotherham fire engines, this success story may have been quite different.  The second fire engine would have come from Dearne, which would have been a slower response time some fifteen minutes later and by then it would have been too late. The proposed model was not a success in Barnsley despite attempts to implement it over the last eighteen months. 

During period of Integrated Risk Management Plan from 2013 and now the council tax percent had increased by 1.97% year on year, fire deaths had significantly increased as had the number of serious fires and the reserves of the service were now held at £23m.  It was unsure if businesses had been made aware or were concerned like Tata Steel that they would receive a lower level of service in response to a fire so why was the service pushing to implement an unproven unacceptable model putting at risk the lives of Rotherham’s residents.

Councillor Atkin confirmed the service had to have an Integrated Risk Management Plan.  He gave an example of where response times were related to managing budgets so within a restricted budget plan risk must be managed.  It was impossible to predict the location of any fire, but interestingly  for Rotherham station last week, which consisted of seven night shifts of thirteen hours each, over the seven nights the engines were only called out on seven occasions. 

The service was, therefore, developing the new plan which all Members would be consulted upon.

To put questions, if any, to Cabinet Members and Chairmen (or their representatives) under Standing Order No. 7(1) and 7(3).

(1)   Councillor M. Elliott reported Rotherham currently did not recycle plastic bottles and asked had recycling of plastic bottles been considered, costed and dismissed in the past?

Councillor Hoddinott clarified the Council did recycle plastic bottles, but not at the kerbside.  Residents had the option to take bottles to their local household recycling centre, but any plastics placed in the normal black bin were separated out at the Manvers recycling site.  All Members had been invited to this site and could observe first-hand how waste was dealt with what was separated out.

The recycling of plastic bottles was first introduced as a trial in 2003 at the kerbside recycling, however, in 2004 this was withdrawn and replaced with the current contract. The contracts were now coming to an end and approval had recently been sought for a twelve month extension to review recycling options.  There was demand from public to recycle bottles and officers were looking at the options to including this in the recycling provision moving forward.

Councillor M. Elliott confirmed he had visited the recycling centre at Manvers and found it very informative.  He referred to 35.8 million plastic bottles being disposed of each day of which only 19.8 million were recycled which meant 16 million were not.  He asked if there was any enthusiasm with other councils to recycle plastic bottles.

Councillor Hoddinott confirmed there all options were currently being considered.  The Council needed to do all it could to encourage people to recycle to assist in reducing the waste going to landfill and plastic bottles were a key part of this.

(2)   Councillor Sansome’s question - how could the Council justify charging 8.7p per KW/h to Council tenants, through the District Heating Scheme on the Fitzwilliam Estate in Swinton, when the average market price was 4.18p  per KW/h – had been answered as part of the debate at Minute No. 113.

(3)   Councillor Jepson after contacting Streetpride last year regarding the frequency of cleaning certain streets in Anston and Woodsetts was informed that in some instances this had not taken place for twenty-one months and it would be another two months before this would be carried out and asked the Cabinet Member if she thought this was acceptable?

Councillor Hoddinott considered twenty-one months to be unacceptable and had contacted the Service to be informed the roads were swept every twelve months and that Anston and Woodsetts area was swept in April/May, 2016.  If Councillor Jepson did not believe this to be the case then the Cabinet Member reiterated that she was more than happy to meet with Councillor Jepson and the Service to see how this could be addressed.

In a supplementary question Councillor Jepson presumed the Council only had the one street cleaning vehicle serving the whole of the Borough.  Under the Local Plan more houses would be built which meant more roads and asked whether consideration had been given to the investment of more machinery.  He appreciated there were often problems with cars parked,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 123.