Agenda, decisions and minutes

To record the names of apologies given.

Apologies were received from Councillor Learney as noted above.

To give consideration to the approval of alternative arrangements for appointments to bodies set up by Cabinet or external bodies, or the making or terminating of such appointments.

There were no appointments to be made.

To receive any disclosure of interests from Members and Officers in matters to be discussed.

Note: Councillors are reminded of their obligations to declare disclosable pecuniary interests, personal and/or prejudicial interests in accordance with legislation and the Council’s Code of Conduct.

Councillors Porter and Tod declared personal (but not prejudicial) interests in respect of various agenda items due to their role as County Councillors.

</AI2>

<AI3>

</AI2>

<AI3>

– to note the names of members of the public wishing to speak on general matters affecting the District or on agenda items (in the case of the latter, representations will normally be received at the time of the agenda item, after the Cabinet Member’s introduction and any questions from Cabinet Members).

NB members of the public are required to register with Democratic Services three clear working days before the meeting (contact: democracy@winchester.gov.uk or 01962 848 264). 

There were no members of the public present.

RESOLVED:

          That the minutes of the previous meeting held 22 May 2024 be agreed as a correct record.

Councillor Tod announced that it was unusual to hold a meeting in the pre-election period but this meeting was being held as there were urgent and critical matters requiring consideration by Cabinet.  He highlighted that like every Council, Winchester faced a statutory deadline to implement food waste collection service and the timely procurement of the necessary vehicles are essential to this and will demand an extensive lead in time and a delay in decision making could significantly affect this timetable.  For these reasons the recommendations in report CAB3452 had been assessed by the council's Monitoring Officer as urgent and critical.  Therefore the Scrutiny Committee considered this issue on the 6 June 2024 and Appendix 2 to CAB3452 contained the draft minute extract from that meeting to assist Cabinet in their decision making.

1.    That it be agreed to procure, through Biffa, nine 12 tonne food waste vehicles, to operate on Hydro-treated Vegetable Oil, at an estimated cost of up to £1.34m to be funded by the New Burdens capital grant.

2.    That it be agreed to provide through the contract with Biffa an electric refuse collection vehicle for the new route to be introduced in Autumn 2024.

3.    That the annual revenue cost of £36k to cover the cost of the electric Refuse Collection Vehicle be agreed, to be funded by an existing waste budget.

4.    That, subject to the introduction of an electric Refuse Collection Vehicle to the waste fleet, the use of up to £30k from this project’s approved capital allocation to fund infrastructure requirements at the Council’s depot to enable charging of the electric Refuse Collection Vehicle be agreed.

In the absence of Councillor Learney, Councillor Tod introduced the report which contained proposals relating to the introduction of new kerbside food waste collection and the requirement to purchase new collection vehicles to enable this.  It also recommended the purchase of a new electric Refuse Collection Vehicle to the waste fleet.

At the invitation of the Leader, Councillors Wallace, Horrill and Lee addressed Cabinet as summarised briefly below.

Councillor Wallace

Speaking in a personal capacity (and not as vice-chairperson of Scrutiny Committee), he welcomed the report but emphasised that Scrutiny Committee had received a presentation on this issue which lacked the level of detail contained in the report to Cabinet.  He queried why the budget level requested was different to that agreed at Council in February 2024.  He asked about the potential impact of loss of rental income from Barfield depot and the final resale value of the vehicles purchased.  Finally, he welcomed the trial of the electric vehicle but requested clarification of the budget to be used and additional financial justification for the expenditure.

Councillor Horrill

She supported the development of the waste and recycling services provided and welcomed the additional detail provided in the report which had not been available at the Scrutiny Committee.  She asked a number of questions: the rationale for the recommended method for purchasing the new collection vehicles; the analysis of the additional costs involved if smaller vehicles were used; further explanation of the annual cost to operate the trial electric vehicle (EV) and the intended gains from the trial; whether a final decision on the type of vehicle to be purchased had been made; and had any risks associated with the financial robustness of Biffa been assessed.

Councillor Lee

He supported the comments made by Councillor Wallace in relation to the Scrutiny Committee and welcomed the future improvements to waste and recycling.  He raised a number of queries: whether the experience of other local authorities using EV for waste collections, such as Basildon Borough Council, been examined; had the potential future impact of extended producer responsibility been considered; reiterated his previous concerns about the wider environmental impact of the use of Hydro-treated Vegetable Oil (HVO) and the possible cost saving opportunities of bulk purchasing HVO; requested assurance of the council’s commitment to the future use of EV collection.

Councillor Tod thanked councillors for their comments and questions which were responded to at the meeting by himself, the Strategic Director, the Chief Finance Officer, the Head of Programme – Place and the Service Lead – Environmental Services.

Councillor Tod also referred to the matters raised by Scrutiny Committee at its meeting on 6 June 2024 as set out in Appendix B to the report, together with the recommendation to Cabinet from that Committee.  The Head of Programme – Place and the Service Lead – Environmental Services responded to the comments made regarding ensuring effective communication and the requirement for an education programme, including confirming that a new Communications Officer had been employed to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

Councillor Tod highlighted that a number of additional items for the July Cabinet had been published since the initial July forward plan had been made available.

RESOLVED:

That the list of future items as set out in the Forward Plan for July be 2024 be noted.