Agenda, decisions and minutes

There were no apologies for absence.

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.

In accordance with Procedure Rules Nos.11 and 35 a period of 10 minutes is allocated for members of the public to address the meeting on any matter relevant to the work of the body in question.  Individual members of the public may speak for up to 5 minutes but the Chairman or person presiding will decide how the period of time allocated for public speaking will be apportioned where there are a number of speakers. Members of the public are not required to give notice to use this facility. However, as a matter of courtesy, a period of 24 hours’ notice is encouraged.

Members of the public wishing to ask a question at the meeting should provide at least three clear working days’ notice in writing and should include the question with that notice. This will enable an informed answer to be given.

Donald Stennett, supported by Christopher Hall, attended the meeting and spoke in respect of item 4 (the Hackney Carriage Table of Fares). He would have preferred the increase to be applied to the whole of the journey rather than the first mile, nor did he wish to see the Sunday night and Bank Holiday rates changed; he questioned why other areas were not brought in line with Macclesfield rather than visa versa.  The Licensing Team Leader responded that that this was the first stage in a phased operation; an earlier consultation exercise had not achieved agreement on these points.

To consider the review of this service.

1.    That detail in relation to the current provision of pest control services within Cheshire East, and the financial implications of various service delivery models that have been considered as part of a full review of the service, be noted.

2.    That the proposal for the reduced service delivery model be approved as the most appropriate way forward to meet financial savings and to underline the commitment of Cheshire East Council to the treatment of public health pests.

3.    That the Principal Manager: Regulatory Services and Health be authorised to implement the reduced service delivery model in conjunction with any necessary consultation with staff, Trade Unions and Human Resources.

4.    That the Principal Manager: Regulatory Services and Health be authorised to communicate any changes to pest control service delivery to relevant internal and external stakeholders.

During discussion of this item Councillor Steve Hogben declared a personal interest by virtue of his position as Director on the Board of ANSA.

It was reported that the Pest Control Service had experienced ongoing uncertainty about its future for several years and had, as a result, been maintained in its historical delivery model which had allowed neither development nor efficiency savings to be achieved as a result of which the service continued to operate at a cost to the council.

The financial planning process for 2015-2016 and beyond had determined that a saving of £60K would be achieved through the removal of the subsidy for delivery of the pest control service and the service budget had been reduced to reflect this.

A recent review of Enforcement within Cheshire East recommended that the Pest Control Service should be reviewed to determine whether the council should continue to operate the service or consider alternative delivery options.

This report examined the different delivery options available and in relation to the national picture.  Three main options of either maintaining the current service, ceasing the pest control service completely, or of a reduced service delivery, were set out in the report. 

In response to a question concerning a possible option of the work being carried out by either a new or existing Alternative Service Delivery Vehicle it was confirmed that this had been investigated as part of a wider review but that it had not been shown to be financially viable.

The Portfolio Holder reviewed the salient points of each of the options, and reported that he had decided upon the reduced service delivery option, for the reasons set out in the report.

RESOLVED

1.    That detail in relation to the current provision of pest control services within Cheshire East, and the financial implications of various service delivery models that have been considered as part of a full review of the service, be noted.

2.    That the proposal for the reduced service delivery model be approved as the most appropriate way forward to meet financial savings and to underline the commitment of Cheshire East Council to the treatment of public health pests.

3.    That the Principal Manager: Regulatory Services and Health be authorised to implement the reduced service delivery model in conjunction with any necessary consultation with staff, Trade Unions and Human Resources.

4.    That the Principal Manager: Regulatory Services and Health be authorised to communicate any changes to pest control service delivery to relevant internal and external stakeholders.

To consider proposals for the phased harmonisation of the Table of Fares.

That approval be given for phase one of the proposals to be implemented with changes set out by the Cabinet Member to take effect from 3rd August 2015.

It was reported that on 5 December 2014 the relevant Cabinet Member, following consultation with the trade and general public, considered proposals to introduce the phased harmonisation of hackney carriage fares across Cheshire East’s three zones.  At that time it was resolved: 

1.    That phase one of the proposal be implemented;

2.    That any future proposals for change be subject to full consultation and that the Council be committed to listening to the views of taxi drivers and owners, and local residents;

3.    That the Licensing Team Leader be authorised to take all necessary action to implement phase one including writing and advertising the statutory public notices;

4.    That In the event of any objections being received following placement the notices a further Portfolio Holder meeting be arranged to consider them; and

5.    If no objections are received the table of fares for each zone, having been advertised in accordance with the requirements of Section 65 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976, will automatically come into force on the date specified in the public notices.

During the week commencing 8 June 2015 a Notice publicising the proposed changes was placed in a newspaper circulating in each of the Council’s Hackney Carriage Zones. Additionally, a letter explaining the proposals was sent to each Hackney Carriage vehicle licence holder. The Notices allowed a 21 day period where objections to the proposals could be made and also specified that if no objections were received the changes would take automatic effect on 3 August 2015.

The Portfolio Holder thanked the taxi drivers for their contribution.  He reported that, following consideration of the of the responses it was proposed that phase 1 of the proposals be implemented and that, in response to the comments received, it was proposed to add further wording into the Macclesfield and Congleton tables to clarify when the extra charges for Christmas and New Year will apply.  The proposed wording was circulated at the meeting and has been added to the website with these minutes.

RESOLVED

That approval be given for phase one of the proposals to be implemented with changes set out by the Cabinet Member to take effect from 3rd August 2015.