Agenda and minutes

In the absence of both the Chairman and Vice-Chair, the Committee was advised that a Chairman would need to be appointed from within the meeting.  Cllr Sampson was proposed and seconded to be acting Chairman as was Cllr King.  The Committee felt that the Chairman should be from the Opposition therefore a vote a taken and Cllr Sampson was duly appointed.

Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Howard, Cllr Mrs Smith, Cllr Russell and Cllr Turner.

Members are asked to disclose any interests in matters for consideration at the meeting.

No interests were disclosed.

                                                                                                            (Enclosure)

The action notes of the meeting held on 17 February 2015 were noted.

Following previous discussions by the Committee about flooding a follow-up report had been prepared as per the Committee’s instruction by the Executive Manager, Corporate. This report had been circulated to the working group who had been unable to reach a consensus. The Committee was requested to determine whether the condensed version of the report should be sent to the County Council. Debate ensued around different iterations of the report and whether it was appropriate to take a decision at this meeting or defer to a later meeting to enable the wider membership to read the later report.  In the interests of expediency, given the forthcoming election and issues raised during consideration of drainage issues during planning committee, the Committee agreed to send the follow-up report.

Report number PPMO11 of the Executive Manager, Corporate.  (Enclosure)

In presenting the Quarter 3 2014/15 performance update, the Performance Management Officer advised the Committee that no indicators were classified as red. Members noted that performance against the indicators for working days lost due to sickness absence and the percentage of household waste sent for reuse, recycling and composting was just below targeted levels but within the margins of tolerance.

Councillors were given contextual information on household waste; while the percentage of household waste sent for reuse, recycling and composting was lower than the previous year, it was in line with an overall reduction in the amount of household waste that was collected. It was further noted that the amount of green waste collected had increased by 243 tonnes while the amount of residual waste had decreased by 250 tonnes compared with the previous year’s performance.

Members of the Committee were given the opportunity to ask questions on the report. Topics raised included ways of attracting businesses and visitors to Grantham with particular reference made to improving the street scene by targeting litter and improving the management of green spaces. The Council’s Economic Development Strategy focussed on building the viability of Grantham and needed to work alongside housing growth.

Some concern was expressed about an increase in incidences of fly-tipping (1,000 reported incidents in the current year compared with 807 in the previous year). The Executive Manager, Environment attributed the increase in reports to a publicity campaign to raise public awareness and encourage the reporting of incidents. There was some discussion over whether the increase in reporting constituted an actual increase in the number of incidents. The conversation progressed to include the clearing of litter in laybys along the A1. The authority was working with the Environment Agency to identify opportunities for clearing litter during any daytime road closures. While these discussions were ongoing, crews emptied bins and picked up litter from the laybys when it was safe to do so.

Positive remarks about the impact of the shop front scheme in Bourne led to questions about whether further funding would be available in the future.

Discussions turned to affordable housing; 85 small sites had been identified as suitable for affordable housing. The highest demand for affordable housing came from the south of the district while one member of the committee particularly advocated the development of affordable housing in rural areas, specifically the north of the district.

Those officers who contributed to the report and attended meetings were thanked for their input. Particular thanks extended to the Performance Management Officer.

11:21-11:27: The meeting adjourned

Councillor Cosham stated that he had been attended the Welland and Deepings Drainage Board. He reported that there was a rolling programme to replace equipment and matters were well under control. Councillor King reported an issue of concern from the area covered by the Black Sluice Internal Drainage Board which related to an agreement made by the Environment Agency not to replace those pumps in the South Forty Foot Drain that had been lost during the tidal surge.

It was proposed that representatives from East Midlands Ambulance Service should be invited to a future meeting of the Committee.

On behalf of the Committee, the acting Chairman wished Councillor Reginald Howard a speedy recovery and sent its deepest condolences and thoughts to Councillor Mrs Judy Smith.

The meeting was closed at 11:37am