Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors K Edwards, A Martin and B Murphy.

To provide an opportunity for Members and Officers to declare any disclosable pecuniary and non-pecuniary interests in any item on the agenda.

There were no declarations of interest

To provide an opportunity for Members to declare the existence of a party whip in relation to any item on the agenda.

There were no whipping declarations

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 8 January 2015 as a correct record.

Consideration was given to the minutes of the meeting held on 8 January 2015.

RESOLVED

That the minutes be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

A total period of 15 minutes is allocated for members of the public to make a statement(s) on any matter that falls within the remit of the Committee.

Individual members of the public may speak for up to 5 minutes, but the Chairman will decide how the period of time allocated for public speaking will be apportioned, where there are a number of speakers.

Note: In order for officers to undertake any background research, it would be helpful if members of the public contacted the Scrutiny officer listed at the foot of the agenda, at least one working day before the meeting to provide brief details of the matter to be covered.

There were no members of the public present wishing to speak.

To receive a presentation on the energy framework for Cheshire East.

Consideration was given to a presentation on Cheshire East Energy Framework, the presentation detailed:

·         Creation of robust evidence base

·         The Energy Vision

·         Policy

·         Funding

·         Energy Projects 

The energy vision; a statement of what needed to be done and contained three elements:

·         Affordable energy – putting residents first.

·         Growing energy businesses – developing a local energy economy.

·         Independent energy – secure, decentralised and locally managed energy services.

It was noted that was £14.5m funding/finance available for energy projects through European funding managed by the Cheshire and Warrington LEP, with other sources of funding available such as business rate retention, government incentives, RHI and FITs.

There was opportunity to build on work across the Council through the framework linking to other key CEC documents including:

·         Local Plan – local supplementary planning guidance

·         Strategic Asset Management Plan

·         Carbon Management

·         Delivering Major Projects

As this was an overarching framework, specific projects would be submitted to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, as and when required.

Members expressed concern that the Committee had not received a copy of the framework and therefore agreed that the document should be emailed to Members and any further comments be submitted to the Major Projects Manager prior to Cabinet on 11 February 2015.

With regard to Fairerpower launch date, it was noted that an announcement on OVO; the Councils Energy Supply Partner,  would be made in due course and the offer would then be marketed across the Borough.

RESOLVED

That the Cheshire East Council Energy Framework be emailed to the Committee and any comments be submitted to the Major Projects Manager prior to Cabinet on 11 February 2015.

To give consideration to the quarter 3 Ansa and Orbitas reports.

Consideration was given to the third quarter performance reports for Ansa and Orbitas. It was noted that Ansa were set to deliver the agreed £1.3million of savings negotiated in the management fee for the first year, however there were three areas of pressure that Ansa had absorbed as part of the delivery service. These related to the savings associated with the garden waste shut down, the discount on green waste additional bins and a pressure associated with providing new/replacement bins which had increased beyond budget expectations. On 26 January 2015, the Portfolio Holder had agreed  to pass on costs for bin supply at new large scale property developments to developers.

With regard to the proposed new Environmental Services Hub in Middlewich, it was noted that an application for notice of demolition had been submitted to the planning department, it was agreed that an update report would be considered by the Committee at its meeting scheduled to be held on 5 March 2015.

With regard to Orbitas it was noted that a rise in burials and cremations had resulted in the year to date figure for this element of Orbitas income being £42,000 ahead of the expected budget position. It has also improved the end of year forecast for income against the Bereavement Services budget. This was now projecting a reduced income which related to a lower than expected death rate of £122,000 compared with the quarter two forecast of £179,000 which was against a net budget of £1.3m.

The company remained compliant with its other key performance indicators. As part of the contract requirements the commissioning team was working to fine tune the specification and KPI’s as required by the contract in this first year.

RESOLVED

1. That the quarterly reports be received.

2. That an update report on the Environmental Services Hub be considered at the meeting scheduled to be held on 5 March 2015.

To note the forward plan, identify any new items, and to determine whether any further examination of new issues is appropriate.

Consideration was given to areas of the forward plan which fell within the remit of the Committee.

RESOLVED

That the forward plan be noted.

To give consideration to the work programme.

Consideration was given to the work programme

RESOLVED

That an update report on LED street lighting and the effect it has on wildlife be considered at a future meeting of the Committee.