RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 21 November 2018 be confirmed as a correct record.
Councillor Cory (in respect of his membership of North East Essex Clinical Commissioning Group) declared a non-pecuniary interest in the following item pursuant to the provisions of Meetings General Procedure Rule 7(5).
Sue Beecham, Molly Walker and Ale Vargas addressed the Cabinet pursuant to the provisions of Meetings General Procedure Rule 5(1) to express their concerns about the Essex County Council consultation on the library service. They stressed the value of libraries to students and the elderly and their role in combating social isolation. They also provided access to the internet for those who were not online. Councillor Cory, Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Strategy, responded and stressed the need for libraries to be kept open. At its meeting in December 2018 the Council had passed two motions in support of libraries, requesting that the consultation be stopped and that central government provide more resources to local government to ensure the maintenance of such services. Libraries were a key public service, which could be accessed without charge and also played a vital role in the provision of information to the public and as a meeting space for community groups. Councillor T. Young, Portfolio Holder for Business and Culture, Councillor Bourne, Portfolio Holder for Housing and Communities, Councillor King, Portfolio Holder for Resources, Councillor B. Oxford, Portfolio Holder for Customers and Councillor Goss, Portfolio Holder for Waste, Environment and Transportation, all expressed their support for the library service and their concern about potential closures. They encouraged residents to respond to the consultation, although concerns were expressed about the wording of the consultation questions. It was unrealistic to expect volunteers to take over the roles of professional librarians. The comments from the public speakers would be included within the Council’s formal response to the consultation. Alistair Heron addressed the Cabinet pursuant to the provisions of Meetings General Procedure 5(1) to express his concern about the Council’s interaction with the Broad Lane Sports Ground. He queried why £10,000 was allocated in the Revolving Investment Fund in respect Broad Lane Sports Ground and why the Council was seeking to change the lease, which had been set up for the benefit of the community. Councillor Cory, Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Strategy, responded and explained that he had become involved as a ward councillor for Wivenhoe. He explained background to the current position and stressed that his involvement was to ensure that Broad Lane Sports Ground was protected for sport and that all users of the site had a proper legal standing. Councillor Barlow, Portfolio Holder for Commercial Services, explained that the Revolving Investment Fund was used to secure external investment for the benefit of local communities. The Council was looking to develop the sporting facilities on the site, and not to develop the site for other purposes. Barrie Cook addressed the Cabinet pursuant to the provisions of Meetings General Procedure Rule 5(1) to express his concern about the proposed development by Alumno in the Cultural Quarter. A mixed use development of retirement flats with boutiques for small businesses would bring greater benefits to the town centre and the housing market than student flats. Councillor T. Young, Portfolio Holder for Business and Culture stressed that any development needed to comply with the Masterplan, the Local Plan and the emerging Local Plan, and that such a scheme would not have done so. The Alumno scheme was the only scheme that had been put forward that complied with these policies. The scheme would be determined by the Planning Committee in the near future. Councillor G. Oxford attended and with the consent of the Chairman addressed Cabinet to highlight the change in arrangements for the disposal of sharp boxes, which meant that this was the responsibility of the borough council. Communication had been poor, and whilst the previous arrangements through pharmacies meant that a replacement box would be issued without charge, local authorities were able to charge for the service. Councillor Hazell attended and with the consent of the Chairman, addressed Cabinet to reiterate the concerns of Councillor G. Oxford and suggested that instituting a scheme whereby patients took the boxes to surgeries and pharmacies and the Council collected from there, which would reduce the burden on the Council. Councillor Goss, Portfolio Holder for Waste, Environment and Transportation, explained that the new system had been introduced from 1 January 2019. Communication from the NHS to patients had been poor. The Council had the power to charge for the collection of medical waste since 2016. However, he had very recently signed a Portfolio Holder decision cancelling all charges for medical waste collection, and anyone who paid a charge since the introduction of the new arrangements would receive a refund. The new system was an improvement for patients as the waste would be collected and a new box issued from their home. Councillor Cory, Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Strategy, explained that he would ensure that the Clinical Commissioning Group were aware of the concerns that had been raised. Councillor Willetts attended and with the consent of the Chairman, highlighted the poor appearance of the market. The gazebos used for the market stalls were in a poor condition and this detracted from the ambience of the town centre. They needed to be replaced or an alternative solution found. Councillor Goss, Portfolio Holder for Waste, Environment and Transportation, explained that the arrangements for the market were being looked at. The Council would listen to views and look at the options for the future delivery of the market. Councillor Barber attended and with the consent of the Chairman, addressed Cabinet to express his concern about the booking of David Icke at Charter Hall. Whilst he supported free speech David Icke held some abhorrent views, which were shared by some on the far-right, and he was concerned that a publicly funded venue should provide a platform for him. Councillor Cory, Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Strategy, and Councillor Barlow, Portfolio Holder for Commercial Services, responded and acknowledged his concerns. There was a balance to be struck between free speech and ensuring offensive views were not given a platform. Discussions would be held with officers to ensure clear procedures were in place. Councillor Lissimore attended and with the consent of the Chairman, addressed Cabinet about the proposed changes in plastic waste collections which meant that a number of plastic products would no longer be collected as recycling. This would be difficult for residents to understand and for operatives to enforce. It was contrary to previous Council policies and initiatives. Councillor Goss, Portfolio Holder for Waste, Environment and Transportation, explained that this proposal was driven by a global problem with the market for recyclable plastic. There was no market for these types of plastic and therefore even if collected, they would not be recycled. If the decision was approved, there would be an extensive programme of communications to residents before the change was introduced. Councillor Bourne, Portfolio Holder for Housing and Communities, stressed that the residents had demonstrated that they were able to adapt to changes in collection processes and she was confident they would understand the reason for the change. Councillor Scordis attended and with the consent of the Chairman, addressed Cabinet. He supported Councillor Barber’s comments on the booking of David Icke at Charter Hall. He suggested that one of the unused bowling greens on the Recreation Ground off Old Heath Road could be used as a safe space for walking dogs that could not be let off a lead. He also drew attention to a problem with waste and litter outside a newsagent and asked if the licensing system could be used to impose conditions on licensed premises to ensure litter outside their premises was cleared up. Councillor Bourne, Portfolio Holder for Housing and Communities, indicated she would investigate the proposal for the bowling green. Councillor Liddy, Portfolio Holder for Planning, Public Safety and Licensing, explained that such conditions would be enforced, if they were on a licence. A ward councillor could call in a licence for review, if issues were arising from the premises.
Councillor Cory, Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for strategy, indicated that Ann Hedges, Chief Operating Officer, and Sean Plummer, Strategic Finance Manager and Section 151 Officer, would shortly be leaving the Council after long and valuable periods of service. He asked that the Cabinet’s thanks to both Ann and Sean be formally recorded
RESOLVED that the Cabinet’s thanks to Ann Hedges and Sean Plummer for their long and valuable service be recorded.
The Cabinet resolved under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 and the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements)(Meetings and Access to Information)(England) Regulations 2012 to exclude the public from the meeting for the following item as it involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972.
RESOLVED that the not for publication extract from the minutes of the meeting held on 21 November 2018 be confirmed as a correct record.
This minute is not for publication by virtue of paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 (Information relating to the financial or business affairs of a particular person, including the authority holding the information).