Meeting documents

To agree the Minutes of the meeting held on 19 December 2013.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 19 December 2013 were agreed as a correct record, subject to the word ‘WDC’ being replaced with ‘SBDC’ in reference to Bob Smith in the list of attendees.

The report summarised the estimated outturn position for the joint waste service for 2013/14. There was expected to be an overspend on contract costs of approximately £75,000. Income from recycling credits was forecast to be over budget, but income from bulky waste collection was likely to be under budget. The overall position for the joint waste service was forecast to be under budget by approximately £85,000.

The Committee discussed the high cost of ‘travel and subsistence’ and were advised that Officers were travelling throughout the two districts but mileage could be saved if they were issued with tablets, so that they wouldn’t have to keep returning to the office.

The cost of subscriptions was also queried but it was advised that the team were a member of the Local Authority Recycling Advisory Committee which  provided training, acted as a lobby group and gave access to forums and conferences.

Note: the relevant paragraph number and description is indicated under the Minute heading.

Paragraph 3 - Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information)

Members considered a report providing an update on the joint waste collection programme and during which the following key points were made:

Health & Safety

There had been one incident involving slippery steps.  The team are working on ‘near miss’ reporting to help prevent future accidents.  There have been additional dangers during the recent hurricane force winds.

Contract Update

Serco had submitted a draft change control notice which was to be discussed by Officers at a meeting to be held on Monday 17 February 2014.  Discussions were continuing regarding a vehicle workshop. It was reported that Wycombe District estates department had charged Serco for use of part of a car park during the roll out.

Facilities

At London Road Depot, work was well underway but had resulted in operational issues for Serco plus a reduction in storage available.

With regard to Clay Lane, Members at Wycombe District Council had indicated that they wanted the existing tenant to remain.  The Committee were assured that no promise had been made to Serco regarding the availability of this facility.  An alternative location had been found in Halifax Road and Wycombe Planning Department had been advising Serco on the likelihood of planning permission being granted.  It was agreed that it was in everyone’s interest to resolve this issue. 

Bio Waste Infrastructure

Bucks Waste Strategic Partnership was meeting on Friday 14 February 2014.  There were no further updates at this stage. Councillor Martin requested further visits to waste and recycling facilities as the previous visit had been very useful. 

IAA

The Inter Authority Agreement (IAA) remained a red risk.  A meeting had been arranged for 28 March to be attended by all relevant Officers to resolve any outstanding issues and sign off the IAA.  Better communication between County and the Districts was requested.

Flooding

Waste teams had been working in Marlow with emergency teams to respond to the recent flooding. Street cleaning had been suspended so that teams could fill and deliver sand bags to affected areas. This was hard physical work being done by Serco staff through the night in some cases. Teams had done an excellent job and it was requested that this be recognised. One complaint was received by a resident whose refuse had not been collected during flooding but catch up would be arranged as soon as vehicles could get access. Team work had been very good.

Councillors asked for their thanks to be relayed to Officers and Serco.

Communications

It was requested that calendars be uploaded onto the website as soon as possible.  It was advised that there were 10 different calendars which made it complicated to put in place.  An estimate of when this could be done would be provided at the next meeting.

Phase 2 New Service in WDC

Reported missed collections were in steady decline, and had started to return to the previous steady state and would  ...  view the full minutes text for item 43.

Paragraph 3 - Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information)

Requests had been received from households in the Wycombe District that had been issued with blue recycling bags, for additional bags.  It was discussed whether or not there should be a charge for additional bags as the cost would be £2.50 each.  In view of the costs involved and the small number of requests, it was agreed that no additional bags should be given out but that they should be available to purchase from the Council Offices and other community locations.

Paragraph 3 - Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information)

Members received an information item on the Joint Waste Pension Cost Partition Agreement between Chiltern District Council and Wycombe District Council.

Thursday 10 April 2014, 10.30 am (CDC)

Thursday 26 June 2014, 10.30 am (WDC)