Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies received.

There were no declarations of interest stated.

To consider the minutes of the previous meeting.

That the Minutes of the meeting held on 6 June 2018 be agreed as a correct record.

A report was submitted which informed Cabinet of the outcome of the procurement exercise undertaken for the supply of a replacement JCB Wastemaster at the Councils Recycling and Waste Transfer Station at the Knutton Lane depot.

The Portfolio Holder for Environment and Recycling explained that the Council currently hired a JCB Wastemaster at a cost of £27,300 a year.  This cost would be saved following the purchase of this machine which had a life expectancy in excess of 5 years.

Resolved:     That the Council enter into a contract with Watling JCB for the supply, repair and maintenance of a JCB Wastemaster machine in the sum of £66,992.

A report was submitted which informed Cabinet on the outcome of the procurement exercise for the provision of skips and the transportation of litter, bulky waste, fly-tipped materials and green/grounds maintenance waste from operations connected with Streetscene and Recycling and Waste Services to designated treatment and disposal sites.

Resolved:     That the Council enter into a contract with Browns Recycling Limited in the sum of £39682.00 for a two year period, with the option to extend the contract by two, one year extensions.

Authority was given to support the ERDF SUNRISE grant bid in September 2017.  The project is being carried out jointly with the Environment Agency, Groundwork West Midlands, Staffordshire Wildlife Trust and Stoke on Trent City Council and the aim of the project is to improve biodiversity on land and water on a range of sites across the Trent Catchment area including Lyme Valley Parkway, Thistleberry Parkway, Bradwell Woods and Pooldam Marshes.

It was pointed out that Ward Councillors were well informed around the environmental issues in their Ward and that it would be advantageous to invite  Ward Councillors to a briefing to discuss the project.

Resolved:

(i)            That the secured amount of £46,675 Section 106 monies from two development sites be used as match funding towards the project, and that ERDF funding and support be accepted for project delivery by partners to create environmental improvements to five sites across the Borough.

(ii)          That relevant Ward Councillors be invited to attend a briefing to discuss and contribute their local knowledge of the specific environmental issues in their ward.

 Cabinet considered a report which updated members on the work undertaken by the Kidsgrove Community Interest Organisation (CIO), working in alongside the Borough Council and County Council to re-open the former sports centre in Kidsgrove.

A report was submitted to Cabinet which updated members on the progress made by the Community Interest Organisation (CIO), working alongside the Borough Council and County Council (SCC) in looking at the feasibility of re-opening the former sports centre and for it to be managed by the CIO.

The CIO believes that the capital costs of bringing the building back into use is likely to be around £500,000 and the Council, along with other parties, could make a contribution towards this with the CIO taking responsibility for the operating costs of the centre. The Council may also consider a form of bridging finance for the CIO. It is intended that the level of financial contribution will be presented for a decision by the September meeting of the Cabinet and subject to a number of conditions under discussions with the CIO.

The Portfolio Holder for Corporate and Service Improvement, People and Partnerships emphasised the support and collaborative working which was an important part of helping to deliver the project to the Community. The Portfolio Holder went on to explain that the long term plan was for a replacement, modern leisure centre with a swimming pool.

Resolved:     That Cabinet and Officers continue to work with partners towards re-providing community run sports facilities at Kidsgrove Sports Centre and that Cabinet receives a further report detailing the financial implications to the Council associated with this by the September Cabinet meeting for a decision.

The Portfolio Holder for Community Safety and Wellbeing presented an update regarding a review which had been undertaken on the Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) for Newcastle Town Centre.  The reason for the review was that it was recognised that the enforcement process could be more proactive in dealing with incidents of anti-social behaviour in Newcastle Town Centre.

Over the last 12 months Newcastle Town Centre has seen an increase in persistent begging and associated anti-social behaviour which has caused complaints from both residents and businesses. The effect of the main change is to streamline the PSPO enforcement process to remove the warning notice stage and to vary the wording of the existing PSPO to include those who are persistently begging.

In supporting the decision the Portfolio Holder for Corporate and Service Improvement, People and Partnerships recognised that begging is an extremely emotive subject and emphasised that support will continue to be offered in the first instance with enforcement activity being employed as a last resort to those persistently and aggressively begging and causing anti-social behaviour in the Town Centre.

 Resolved: That Cabinet gives approval to the two proposed variations to the PSPO in Newcastle Town Centre.

The Portfolio Holder for Planning and Regeneration presented this report concerning the expansion of regulations relating to the licensing of houses in multiple occupation.  The report also set out an amended licensing fee structure, which will be self-funding, to apply from 1 October 2018.  It is hoped that by the inclusion of an incentive into this new fee structure to encourage landlords to sign up to the scheme and to become members of the North Staffs Landlords Accreditation Scheme it would be raising and maintaining standards expected in this area.  

Resolved:     That Cabinet note the expansion of house in multiple occupation licensing and that the fees proposed to apply from 1 October 2018 as set out in the report now submitted be approved.

There was no Urgent Business.