Agenda, decisions and draft minutes

To confirm and sign the minutes of the meeting held 24 February 2025.

The minutes of the meeting held 24 February 2025 were approved and signed.

To provide an update to Cabinet of the work of the Investment Board from April 2024 to February 2025.

AGREED to note the report of 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 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 Benney and AGREED:

·         To note the report of 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 currently deferred.

The Ombudsman for Local Government and Social Care (LGSCO) revised the Complaint Handling Code in 2024. This has resulted in Fenland District Council’s 3C’s policy being reviewed and updated to reflect guidance within the Code.

AGREED to approve the proposed changes to the policy in line with the complaint handling Code published by the LGSCO.

Members considered the Update of the Council’s Corporate Complaints Policy (3C’s) report presented by Councillor Boden in the absence of Councillor Tierney.

Proposed by Councillor Boden, seconded by Councillor Seaton and AGREED to approve the proposed changes to the policy in line with the Complaint Handling Code published by the Ombudsman for Local Government and Social Care.

To consider revisions to the existing County-wide Disabled Facilities Grants and Housing Repairs Policy as an outcome of the 2024 review of Disabled Facilities Grants which help support wider health and social care outcomes.

AGREED to approve the County-wide Housing Adaptations and Repairs Policy.

Members considered the County-wide Housing Adaptations and Repairs Policy report presented by Councillor Hoy. 

Councillor Hoy pointed out errors within the report at paragraphs 2.11b and 5.8 where the text in each paragraph reads: “Grant will be given to fund to works up to £15,000 with any balance over this figure being given as a repayable loan”. The texts should read: “Grant will be given to fund to works up to £10,000 with any balance over this figure being given as a repayable loan”.

Councillor Boden asked for clarification that the grant remains at £10,000 but what changes is there is the potential for a repayable loan of an additional £15,000. Councillor Hoy agreed that was correct, the additional amount would be a top up if necessary.

Proposed by Councillor Hoy, seconded by Councillor Mrs French and AGREED to note the amendment and approve the County-wide Housing Adaptations and Repairs Policy.

To approve the cost effective and timely procurement of the containers required for the range of Fenland municipal properties to commence weekly food waste in line with legislation.

AGREED to:

·         delegated power for the Corporate Director with responsibility for Environmental Services, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder, to purchase the required containers through the most cost-effective and timely means.

·         the capital expenditure from the monies supplied by Defra for this purpose, and that should the total exceed the monies supplied that this further capital be sought from appropriate reserves by the Section 151 Officer in consultation with the Finance Portfolio Holder.

·         delegate authority to the Portfolio Holder for Refuse and Recycling, Parks and Open Spaces to inform Defra of any change to implementation deadlines should this be required if there are delays to the delivery of these containers, or other essential equipment such as vehicles.

Members considered the Food Waste Container Procurement Report presented by Councillor Murphy.

Councillor Boden asked how this new service would be communicated to residents in advance as he had read with concern the minutes of a meeting of Peterborough City Council stating they had incurred additional costs of £800,000 due to residents incorrectly separating their food waste, using residual bins rather than caddies. Councillor Murphy responded that officers would undertake spot checks and distribute advisory leaflets where householders were found to be sorting their food waste incorrectly. Bins used incorrectly would not be emptied and householders would have to remove the unsuitable waste and arrange collection of bins themselves. Advance publicity will be key to householders complying correctly from day one.

Councillor Mrs Laws said she is concerned about this new initiative. Publicity is all very well but people are in the habit of using their green bin and it may be that the threat of a fine is required. She cannot see compliance unless there is some hard enforcement behind it. Councillor Boden said he doubted that the Council would have the legal power to issue fines, but the only sanction would likely be not to collect the bin. Councillor Boden added that this strategy is more than 12 months away and will take a bit of forward planning to get it right.

Councillor Seaton asked for clarification on how many bins residents will have as he was concerned too many will cause confusion. Councillor Murphy advised that there will be no additional bins, only a slightly larger outdoor caddy to transfer food waste daily from a smaller indoor caddy and these are being rolled out nationally. Councillor Seaton commented that if there is a danger of these caddies being blown down the road in high winds as larger bins do now, it would not be a good start to a new service. Councillor Boden said it would be useful to contact Peterborough City Council colleagues to gain from their experience of using the caddy service over many years. 

Councillor Hoy commented that she has reservations regarding this system. She queried how it may work when staff are already doing their best to advise those residents who continue to incorrectly sort their waste which then creates a mess, particularly in areas where there is a high concentration of HMOs. She is concerned that bins may end up piled high with smelly food waste that will go uncollected and all the problems that brings. This may be a year away, but it is important to ensure the message is communicated extensively to all residents including those for whom English is not their first language.

Councillor Boden said that although this report was about procurement, it is clear from the comments that there are concerns about how the new system will be implemented and it is good to have this discussion now. 

Proposed by Councillor Murphy, seconded by Councillor Mrs Laws and AGREED to:

·         delegated power for the Corporate Director with  ...  view the full minutes text for item CAB65/24

To request Cabinet, approve the revocation of 2 Air Quality Management Areas (AQMA’s) for Wisbech as required by the Environment Act 1995 and to receive an update regarding future air quality monitoring in Wisbech.

AGREED by Order under the Environment Act 1995 Part IV to the revocation of Air Quality Management Areas Wisbech 1 and Wisbech 2 as identified in Schedule 1 to the report, following removal of the original pollution source, and therefore securing compliance with the national statutory particulate and sulphur dioxide air quality objectives.

Members considered the Review of 2 Air Quality Management areas for Wisbech report presented by Councillor Wallwork.

Councillor Wallwork said following concerns raised by some residents she would like to stress that this is unrelated to the incoming Wisbech incinerator, which will have separate air quality monitoring procedures in place. This is simply to do with a coal fired boiler once operating in Lynn Road that has long been decommissioned, hence it is a requirement of DEFRA that these two air quality management areas are removed.

Councillor Hoy said she had also queried why the AQMAs were being removed if the incinerator is being built and thanked Councillor Wallwork for her clarification. However, she had noted MVV’s own air quality management proposals within the report and was concerned to see that they will be assessing this themselves. Despite understanding it is a legal procedure, she would like to review this going forward and perhaps see a later report at Cabinet about what this authority is doing on MVV and air quality. Whilst she appreciates that MVV will have to provide the Council with access to their data, she is concerned that they will be responsible for managing the air quality monitoring data themselves.

Councillor Wallwork said there will be a host of monitoring processes and MVV will not be left to their own devices. There are already 19 in place to deal with traffic pollution, and the Council’s Environmental Health team have already had input into what they would like to see. Councillor Hoy thanked Councillor Wallwork and said although she had no doubt that officers were dealing impeccably with the whole incinerator process, she felt that the public do not necessarily know this work going on in the background and perhaps a way can be found to get that message out. Councillor Boden agreed that having this as an agenda item for a future Cabinet meeting could be helpful for information purposes.

Proposed by Councillor Wallwork, seconded by Councillor Miscandlon and AGREED by Order under the Environment Act 1995 Part IV to the revocation of Air Quality Management Areas Wisbech 1 and Wisbech 2 as identified in Schedule 1 to the report, following removal of the original pollution source, and therefore securing compliance with the national statutory particulate and sulphur dioxide air quality objectives.

To provide information on the proposed enhancements to Wisbech Park Splash Pad. This is the first project in Wisbech to be brought forward for delivery as part of the £30m+ Fenland Inspire! programme which seeks to enhance the leisure and cultural legacy to be left by Fenland District Council after Local Government Reorganisation.

AGREED:

·         To note the contents of the report and approve further work to be carried out to deliver enhancements to the Wisbech Park Splash Pad, and to authorise the Section 151 Officer to add £60,000 to the Capital Programme to fund the enhancements and delegate to the Portfolio Holder for Open Spaces and the Corporate Director to enter into all necessary arrangements to deliver the project.

·         This is a staged plan. This year the project will include canopy, picnic benches and landscaping added to existing infrastructure. Next year a larger scheme will be implemented. A further paper on next year’s scheme with rough costs will return to Cabinet in 3 months’ time.

Members considered the Fenland Inspire! Enhancements to the Wisbech Park Splash Pad report presented by Councillor Murphy. 

Councillor Hoy proposed an amendment to the recommendations, seconded by Councillor Murphy, and approved by members to add a second recommendation to read: ‘This is a staged plan, this year the project will include canopy, picnic benches and landscaping added to existing infrastructure and next year a larger scheme will be implemented. A further paper with next year’s scheme with rough cost will return to Cabinet in three months’ time’. 

Councillor Hoy said for the record she would like to recognise the work of partners. Tivoli work Monday to Friday so for the Splash Pad to be opened at weekends for the benefit of young people, Wisbech Town Council pay to have someone come and open it. Therefore, she would like to recognise the work that partners are doing because it is a joint project.

Proposed by Councillor Murphy, seconded by Councillor Hoy and AGREED:

·         To note the contents of the report and approve further work to be carried out to deliver enhancements to the Wisbech Park Splash Pad, and to authorise the Section 151 Officer to add £60,000 to the Capital Programme to fund the enhancements and delegate to the Portfolio Holder for Open Spaces and the Corporate Director to enter into all necessary arrangements to deliver the project.

·         This is a staged plan. This year the project will include canopy, picnic benches and landscaping added to existing infrastructure. Next year a larger scheme will be implemented. A further paper on next year’s scheme with rough costs will return to Cabinet in 3 months’ time.

To provide information on the proposed all-weather permeable surface community pathway making the Manor Field accessible to all. This is the first project in Whittlesey to be brought forward for delivery as part of the Fenland Inspire! programme which seeks to enhance the leisure and cultural legacy to be left by Fenland District Council after Local Government Reorganisation.

AGREED to note the contents of the report and approve a budget of up to £300,000 to deliver a robust pathway around the perimeter of the Manor Field suitable for all members of the community and authorise officers to formally procure and then enter a contract with the successful tenderer to deliver the necessary construction work.

Members considered the Fenland Inspire! Whittlesey Manor Field Community Pathway report presented by Councillor Miscandlon.

Councillor Mrs Laws said this pathway would be very welcome. Whittlesey is known for flooding, particularly in the Manor area and this pathway will provide a great opportunity for wider use so not just for park runners but for power walkers and people with prams or pushchairs. In the anticipation that the path will also be used by more dog walkers, she would request certain signage to be put up and perhaps the installation of some waste bins. Councillor Miscandlon agreed that the pathway would be a great asset that would enhance the area and welcomed the idea of additional bins.

Proposed by Councillor Miscandlon, seconded by Councillor Mrs French and AGREED to note the contents of the report and approve a budget of up to £300,000 to deliver a robust pathway around the perimeter of the Manor Field suitable for all members of the community and authorise officers to formally procure and then enter a contract with the successful tenderer to deliver the necessary construction work.

Report to follow

Councillor Boden advised that Cabinet are due to receive a substantive report on Port Fees and Charges at the meeting of Cabinet in May and proposed this item be deferred until then.

Proposed by Councillor Boden, seconded by Councillor Benney and AGREED that this item be deferred until May’s Cabinet meeting.

For information purposes.

Councillor Mrs French said there is nothing on the plan relating to Fenland Inspire! or 3G pitches and would like these added between May and September.

Councillor Boden advised the meeting of Cabinet planned for 28 April has been cancelled.

The Forward Plan was noted for information.

AGREED to note the content of the FBC and to instruct officers to pause the proposed relocation on the terms outlined within it, pending the outcome of the ongoing LGR process.

Councillor Boden advised that since the confidential Accommodation Review report was proposed, there have been changes insofar as Local Government Reorganisation is concerned. He would therefore propose that this review be paused pending the outcome of the LGR process.

Councillor Mrs French agreed that was the sensible way forward as she could see no point in using up officers’ time when nobody knows what is going to happen.

Councillor Boden advised that by law it still needed to be proposed that the report be treated as an exempt item so the confidential information within it does not enter the public domain. This was seconded by Councillor Laws.  

Proposed by Councillor Boden, seconded by Councillor Laws and AGREED to note the content of the confidential FBC and to instruct officers to pause the proposed relocation on the terms outlined within it, pending the outcome of the ongoing LGR process.