Agenda, decisions and minutes

To confirm and sign the public minutes of the meetings held at 2pm and 5pm on 21 July 2025.

The public minutes of the meetings held at 2pm and 5pm on 21 July 2025 were agreed and signed.

To receive an update of the work of the Investment Board from March 2025 to July 2025.

AGREED to note the report from the Investment Board and that the ongoing review of the current Commercial and Investment Strategy as determined by the constitution and delegated to the S151 officer is still currently deferred.

Members considered the Investment Board update and Review of the Commercial and Investment Strategy report presented by Councillor Boden.

Proposed by Councillor Boden, seconded by Councillor Mrs French and AGREED to note the report from the Investment Board and that the ongoing review of the current Commercial and Investment Strategy as determined by the constitution and delegated to the S151 officer is still currently deferred.

To recommend to Council the approval of the procurement of the required HGV vehicles as part of the ongoing Fleet Replacement.

AGREED to:

·         recommend to Council to approve the procurement of the 4 HGV vehicles for delivery April 2026 as part of the ongoing Fleet Replacement Plan.

·         recommend to Council this vehicle and capital requirement for 2027/28 and 2028/29 and for these requirements to be added to the Medium-Term Financial Strategy.

·         recommend to Council the delegation of the procurement of these vehicles to the corporate director with responsibility for Environmental Services, through existing procurement frameworks or mini tender as required, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder responsible for street sweeping, recycling and refuse collection

·         note that the total value of required vehicles that will need to be ordered within the next 24 months is expected to be in the region of £2,560,000. The Chief Finance Officer will determine the best value means of financing these necessary vehicles.

Members considered the Refuse, Recycling and Cleansing HGV Fleet Replacement report presented by Councillor Tierney.

·         Councillor Mrs French expressed her support for the report, recalling a difficult time when several refuse vehicles broke down one Christmas period. She said the fleet must be kept up to date to prevent such an unfortunate situation occurring again.

·         Councillor Hoy agreed, saying FDC provides an exemplary refuse and cleansing service which is the best of the four authorities she has worked for. 

·         Councillor Boden reaffirmed the work of the service at both managerial and operative level and agreed it is one of the better local authorities for provision of this service.

·         Councillor Tierney thanked members for their support, saying the authority needs to plan for the future. The council can get at least ten years usage out of its refuse vehicles and up to fifteen for smaller ones. This is a vital service for Fenland, and it is not an unnecessary spending of money. 

Proposed by Councillor Tierney, seconded by Councillor Boden and AGREED to:

·         recommend to Council to approve the procurement of the 4 HGV vehicles for delivery April 2026 as part of the ongoing Fleet Replacement Plan.

·         recommend to Council this vehicle and capital requirement for 2027/28 and 2028/29 and for these requirements to be added to the Medium-Term Financial Strategy.

·         recommend to Council the delegation of the procurement of these vehicles to the corporate director with responsibility for Environmental Services, through existing procurement frameworks or mini tender as required, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder responsible for street sweeping, recycling and refuse collection

·         note that the total value of required vehicles that will need to be ordered within the next 24 months is expected to be in the region of £2,560,000. The Chief Finance Officer will determine the best value means of financing these necessary vehicles.

For information purposes.

Councillor Mrs French asked that Civil Parking Enforcement be added to the Forward Plan.

Councillor Boden said that Wisbech Park needs to come before Cabinet and asked that officers be made aware of details once available so it can be added to the Plan. Also, a further meeting of both Cabinet and Council to discuss Local Government Reorganisation needs to be arranged before 28^th November which is the deadline for local authorities to submit their final proposals to Government. 

To confirm and sign the confidential minutes of the meeting held at 2pm on 21 July 2025.

The confidential minutes of the meeting held at 2pm on 21 July 2025 were agreed and signed.