Agenda and minutes

To confirm and sign the minutes of 15 November 2018.

The minutes of the meeting of 15 November 2018 were confirmed and signed.

Members considered the Clinical Waste Solutions Report presented by Councillor Murphy. 

Members asked questions, made comments and received responses as follows: 

·       Councillor Seaton asked if April 2019 is the latest date that the NHS will alter their arrangements. Councillor Murphy said that there have been several date changes, but 1 April 2019 is the current confirmed date. Unfortunately the NHS has not been forthcoming with information regarding collection numbers.

·       Councillor Oliver commented that consultation with the portfolio holder for Environment needed adding to the written delegation recommendation.

·       Councillor Buckton asked for confirmation that the intended outcome of the proposal is that people who currently use the service provided by the NHS and pharmacies will continue to use the service in the same way without any cost incurred to them. Councillor Murphy advised that this is what we are trying to do, but we are dependent on the NHS.

Cabinet agreed to vote on the recommendations within the report. 

Cabinet AGREED to recommend for Council approval:

·       with effect from 1 April 2019, the introduction of free sharps box drop-off points in local pharmacies at a forecast cost to FDC of £18,000 and incorporated in the 2019/20 budget estimates 

·       with effect from 1 April 2019, the introduction of free collection points in dispensing GP Practices at a forecast cost to FDC of £2,000 and incorporated in the 2019/20 budget estimates

·       the Council to set the Fees & Charges for 2019/20 at an £8.00 fee for clinical waste collections (“Clinical and offensive waste from domestic households”) to be reviewed thereafter annually as part of the usual Fees and Charges and Budget setting process 

·       to approve the proposed update to the Waste Services Standard 2018 as set out at Appendix Y.

·       to delegate to the Corporate Director (Environment and Leisure) in consultation with the Portfolio Holder (Environment) and the Section 151 Officer all necessary authority to enter into the proposed agreement at Appendix Z with the relevant pharmacies and GP surgeries and to work with the relevant agencies and colleagues to publicise the services available. 

Members considered the Council Tax Reduction Scheme 2019/20 presented by Councillor Hay. 

Cabinet AGREED to recommend for Council approval the Council Tax Reduction Scheme effective from 1 April 2019 as set out in Section 2 and Appendix A. 

Members considered the Draft Business Plan 2019-20 presented by Councillor Seaton.

Cabinet AGREED that the Draft Business Plan 2019/20 be approved for public consultation. 

Members considered the Draft Budget 2019/20 and Medium Term Financial Strategy presented by Councillor Hay. 

Members asked questions, made comments and received responses as follows: 

·       Councillor Oliver asked if the Council had received any indication of why it was unsuccessful regarding the business rates retention pilot scheme. The Chief Executive stated that it was unlikely that specific feedback would be received other than it was oversubscribed, advising that 34 local authority areas had applied for pilot funding.  

·       Councillor Oliver asked if there would be an opportunity to bid again. Councillor Seaton stated that it was unlikely as the pilot was a one-off. The Chief Executive confirmed that this was unlikely for 20/21.

Cabinet AGREED that:

·       the draft budget proposals for 2019/20 outlined in this report be approved for consultation

·       the balance on the Pilots’ National Pension Fund as detailed in paragraph 11.4 be transferred to a Local Plan Review Reserve

·       the revised General Fund Budget and revised Capital Programme for 2018/19 be approved

·       the proposed Capital Programme for 2019/22 be approved.  

For information purposes.

Councillor Seaton presented the draft Cabinet Forward Plan for information.