Environment Policy and Review Panel - Tuesday, 11th April, 2017 7.00 pm - Agenda and minutes

To confirm the Minutes of the Meeting held on 31 January 2017 (copy attached).

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 31st January, 2017 were approved and signed by the Chairman.

The Planning Policy and Conservation Manager, Louise Piper, to attend the meeting to present the final draft submission version of the Rushmoor Local Plan which will be considered by Cabinet on 4 April and presented to full Council on 20 April (a copy of the draft submission version and Cabinet report is available at http://www.rushmoor.gov.uk/article/9019/Cabinet-meeting---4-April-2017).

Keith Holland, Head of Planning Services, attended the meeting to present the final draft submission version of the Rushmoor Local Plan.  The Plan had already been reported to Cabinet and would be considered at Full Council on 20th April.  The single Local Plan covered the period 2014-2032, however there was an expectation from Government that it would be renewed every five-years.

The Panel had received a presentation on the content of the Local Plan at the 8th November meeting. The spatial strategy, shaping places and meeting local needs policies were highlighted as particular areas of interest.  The Panel was also advised that there had been changes to the affordable housing requirement which was now that 30% affordable housing was required for developments of eleven dwellings or more, with a minimum of 20% in town centres.  The requirement for affordable housing was based on viability.

The timetable for the draft submission included a six week consultation period ending 16th June[1], submission to the Secretary of State in Autumn 2017, an Independent Inspector hearing in early 2018, with adoption of the Plan expected in Summer 2018.

The Panel discussed the Plan and raised the issue of cooperation with neighbouring authorities.  The Panel was advised that all councils had a duty to cooperate with neighbouring authorities and a Memorandum of Understanding would be signed between Rushmoor, Hart and Surrey Heath.  Waverley and Guildford Councils were also being kept informed of progress and would be consulted.

The Panel NOTED the presentation.

The Contracts Manager, James Duggin, to attend the meeting to introduce Serco, the new contractor appointed to provide waste and recycling services in Rushmoor.   Serco to present an overview of the services included within the new contract including new initiatives to address the low recycling levels in Rushmoor.  The Portfolio Holder for Environment and Service Delivery will also be present for this item.

James Duggin, Contracts Manager, introduced Serco, the new contractor appointed to provide waste and recycling services in Rushmoor. Mike Boult - Managing Director, Mark Barnfield – Serco Bid Manager for Rushmoor Bid, Martin Frood – Serco Technical Director and Antony Draper – Mobilisation Lead attended the Panel to present details on the waste collection, street cleansing, grounds maintenance and commercial waste services provision. The Portfolio Holder for Environment and Service Delivery, Cllr Martin Tennant, was also present for this item. 

Serco had developed the bid to meet the Council’s aims and objectives.  The Panel received details on the various elements of the bid and new initiatives that would be trialled.  Some new initiatives included introducing community champions to identify issues, provide better real time information using mobile devices and providing an environmental improvement fund to clean up the Borough.

There was a commitment in the bid to improve recycling and composting in the Borough.  Initiatives would include supporting marketing and communication to increase subscribers to the chargeable green waste collection, inform residents about waste minimisation and recycling and launch a ‘grab more glass’ campaign.  It was proposed that additional materials including small electrical items would be accepted for recycling in future.  There would also be a real time IT solution to enable effective management of contamination of recycling.

The Panel discussed the recycling initiatives and the Portfolio Holder for Environment and Service Delivery provided some details on the other initiatives being explored.  It was hoped that Hampshire County Council would soon be increasing the types of materials accepted for recycling which would reduce the level of contamination.  Discussions were being held with Serco on the possible introduction of kerbside textile collection.  There was some discussion on the measurement of recycling which was currently determined by weight rather than volume.  The Panel was advised that, if the measurement changed to volume or waste to landfill, then Rushmoor would be rated as a top performing Council.  The Panel thanked Serco for attending. 

The Panel NOTED the presentation.

To note the Farnborough Town Centre Working Group action notes from the meeting held on 15 February, 2017 (presentation and notes attached).

The Panel NOTED the action notes from the Farnborough Town Centre Working Group meeting held on 15th February, 2017.

To note the Panel’s Current work programme (copy attached).

An item on Christmas Lights would be added to the work programme for the September meeting.  The Panel NOTED the current work programme.