Agenda and minutes

To confirm and sign the minutes of 19 July 2018

The minutes of the meeting of 19 July 2018 were confirmed and signed, subject to amendment to minute C28/18 to include that Councillor Sutton stated that he would support the update as long as it did not result in money being squandered.

For information only

Councillor Mrs Mayor drew Members attention to the civic activities undertaken by herself and the Vice Chairman in the weeks preceding Full Council.

The Chairman reminded Members that her Civic Reception would be taking place on Friday 14 September at Neale Wade Academy and all Members were welcome. The Chairman also advised Members that she will be hosting the annual Macmillan Charity Coffee Morning on Thursday 27 September 2018. All Members are welcome to attend and donations for raffle prizes to raise money for this worthwhile cause would also be appreciated. 

To consider a petition regarding clinical waste collection charges.

The Chairman welcomed Mrs Sue Marshall to the meeting and invited her to present her petition concerning Clinical Waste Collection charges to Council.

Mrs Marshall made the following statement:

‘Good Afternoon Councillors, I am presenting the clinical waste petition on behalf of people who believe that the charge for the collection of clinical waste including sharps boxes is both unfair and discriminates against those residents who need the service. For an explanation of the ‘discriminatory’ description please look at the link contained in the petition. It came as a shock that this charge was to be brought in at very short notice with no consultation with either the public or Councillors.

The public campaign against the charge, this petition, has encouraged you to postpone this introduction to allow a sensible solution to be found. We urge you to permanently drop this charge. Diabetes effects 8000 Fenland residents and many others who use sharps boxes either continually or occasionally. There are also many residents who use the clinical waste service on an adhoc basis often after hospital stays or those being treated by district nurses and carers. Some of you will either be effected directly by the threat of this charge or know of people who will be. Those struggling will illness or disability through no fault of their own already have a heavy burden and we ask you not to impose an additional financial one.

A great risk to public health would be for residents to put sharps and clinical waste into their household rubbish and as you are a waste authority we ask that you do the right thing and minimise that risk by permanently dropping this charge. I have been told that in some instances sharps boxes are being replaced by much smaller ones and this will make the disposal of sharps boxes more frequent, increasing the potential costs to residents. Fenland District Council appears to be the only one in Cambridgeshire to charge for the collection of this waste. You, the Councillors will be seen to be acting unfairly, discriminating and lacking compassion to the sick and disabled, so we ask that you permanently withdraw the threat of this charge’.

Councillor Murphy addressed the petition with the following statement:

‘Thank you for your contribution Mrs Marshall. Public opinion on this matter is clearly demonstrated through the petition presented today for our consideration.

It is frustrating that this policy change by the NHS is being contemplated at short notice and delivered without thought to the transferred costs and workload, especially since what we appear to have is a system that works perfectly well for the customer. These changes do not just affect Fenland; this is being implemented across East Anglia and will result in a range of issues for customers.

Given that the decision is the NHS’s, I do hope that you will also be petitioning them. Whilst this may save the NHS thousands of pounds across the area, it will potentially cost the local authorities many  ...  view the full minutes text for item C32/18

No questions had been submitted under Procedure Rule 8.6 and Councillor Booth, as leader of the main opposition group, asked questions under Procedure Rule 8.4, as follows:

·         Further to the Portfolio Holder email that Members had received yesterday concerning the Wisbech Bowls Club and the fact that this is another decision that has been taken without the engagement of Members, is it now time to change the style of governance within this Council so that we do ensure that all Members are involved in the decision making process? He feels that the Leisure Centre procurement process should have been decided by Full Council, which was not previously supported, and decisions are not being taken in consultation with all Members, and, therefore, the local communities’ considerations are not being taken into account. The Leader stated that there is no intention of dissolving the Wisbech Bowls Club, it is on a short term lease of 6 months as the intention was to change the management of the Leisure Centres and the briefing referred to the Council identifying ideas on how to utilise this area. The new Leisure Management Company that are due to assume responsibility of the Leisure Centres will be saving the Council in the region of £350,000 per year, and they are also planning to invest £500,000 in the Hudson Leisure Centre due to expansion. The Bowls Club have an extension until the end of their bowls league and during this time every opportunity will be made to relocate the club and assist in identifying grant funding for them.

·         Councillor Booth stated his main concern is the way that decision making is taken at the Council with too many decisions being made by Portfolio Holders and Cabinet, without engagement of the wider back bench Councillors. The Leader stated that the proposal went before the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and there was also a Member Seminar on the subject, although attendance at Member Seminars is low. The Leader stated that Cabinet do their best, they provide Portfolio Holder Briefings, Seminars, attend Overview and Scrutiny and are always prepared to speak to Members to answer any questions or queries that require a response. Councillor Booth stated that, with regard to the all Member seminars, for those Members that work attendance is difficult due to the time that they are held and if they were held in the evenings it could result in a better attendance.

·         Councillor Booth queried how confidential information concerning the property and acquisition of 11-12 High Street had managed to appear in the press. Councillor Booth requested that a full investigation take place.

Standing orders were suspended to allow for full discussion on this item.

Members asked questions of Portfolio Holders in accordance with Procedure Rules 8.1and 8.2 as follows:

·         Councillor Mrs Bligh stated that Murrow residents have worked hard to be the fifteenth Street Pride Group in Fenland, asking for her thanks to be passed to the Street Pride Coordinator for her assistance in setting up the group, but this group have never been acknowledged in the Portfolio Holder report asking if there is there a reason why? Councillor Murphy stated that he would see that this matter was addressed.

·         Councillor Mrs Bligh asked the Leader, due to his position on the Combined Authority, to support the retention of the number 46 bus route, making the point that local residents rely on this service. She stated she had mentioned this issue to Mayor James Palmer at the All Member Seminar, but he was unable to comment as to whether it would be saved after April 2019. The Leader stated he will be happy and prepared to support the retention of this bus service.

·         Councillor Bligh asked Councillor Oliver for further details of the 52 cases of anti-social behaviour in Fenland, and whether these statistics can be split into areas, including details of where the CCTV is sited. Councillor Oliver stated he would ensure this is actioned.

·         Councillor Bligh asked, due to the heightened awareness of ‘period poverty’ where young girls are missing days of their secondary education due to not having access to sanitary products, whether there is anything that the Council can do to provide support? Councillor Cornwell stated that he will be discussing this matter with colleagues who have undertaken projects concerning this issue.

·         Councillor Mrs French stated that it would appear the Fenland District Council website has some errors on it which need updating.

·         Councillor Mrs Bucknor referred to her attendance at a meeting with the Department of Work and Pensions concerning the implementation of Universal Credit and a number of issues which customers have encountered, asking if Councillor Mrs Hay would engage with the One Stop Shop in Wisbech to ensure that customers are directed to the Rainbow Savers Credit Union, who may be able to assist them. Councillor Mrs Hay stated that she will liaise with the One Stop Shop and ensure that they have the details of the Rainbow Savers Credit Union.

·         Councillor Tibbs asked whether there is any update with regard to Wisbech Vehicle Exchange and also concerning the derelict building on Petts Close where there are reports on drug mis-use taking place. Councillor Oliver stated that there is no update concerning the Wisbech Vehicle Exchange and he will check with Officers to see if there is any progress. With regard to the Petts Close issue, Councillor Oliver stated he will speak to Councillor Tibbs outside of the meeting.

·         Councillor Tierney made the point that it is disappointing to learn of the current situation with Wisbech Bowls Club, with the club being a success story  ...  view the full minutes text for item C34/18

To consider the Audio/Visual Equipment for the Council Chamber

Councillor Buckton proposed that this item be deferred as Members’ required further information on the proposal.

Councillor Booth asked that as part of the report in November, could there be more than one option provided as part of the streaming option.

Proposed by Councillor Buckton, seconded by Councillor Mrs French and AGREED that this item be deferred until the meeting to be held on 15 November 2018.

To consider the Acquisition and Regeneration of 11/12, High Street Wisbech.

Appendices A-G comprise exempt information - to exclude the public (including the press) from a meeting of a committee it is necessary for the following proposition to be moved and adopted: "that the public be excluded from the meeting for Items which involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in the paragraphs of Part I of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended) as indicated."

Councillor Oliver presented various options for consideration in connection with an important derelict town centre site, known as “11/12 High Street Wisbech”, which is considered a ‘high priority’ property, located within the Wisbech High Street Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) project area, making the point that the report was one of the most complex and challenging matters that the Council had needed to consider for a number of years. He stated that grant aid is available from HLF, however, this is time limited and may be at risk if the required major refurbishment cannot be taken forward within the available timeframe, with completion being required by January 2021.

Councillor Oliver stated that there are various benefits including regeneration and delivery, but also financial risks and, therefore, Members need to decide the most appropriate way forward. The current owner is unable to move forward with the development or meet the deadline for the funding, and, therefore, the site would need to be purchased from the current owner. Officers have reached an in principle agreement with the owner for the purchase, together with procurement of draft designs, estimated costs, valuations and viability assessments.

Councillor Oliver advised there are now 4 possible options for consideration and if Members are minded to approve either option 1, 2 or 3, Cabinet will consider a separate report later today recommending approval for a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) to aid the purchase if required. He referred to the risk matrix that has been provided which includes the financial implications for each of the options proposed, explaining that it is important for Members to understand the risk and financial implications so that an appropriate decision can be agreed.

Councillor Oliver informed Members of the recommendation that was reached by Cabinet at its earlier meeting.

(Members resolved to exclude the public from the meeting during the discussion of the recommendations for this item of business on the grounds that Appendices A-G involved the disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 2 and 3 of Part 1 of  ...  view the full minutes text for item C36/18