Issue - meetings

Matter for Decision

The Officer’s report covered the draft Environment, Waste and Public Health Portfolio Plan 2015-16, which sets out the strategic objectives for the portfolio for the year ahead, describes the context in which the portfolio is being delivered and details the activities required to deliver the outcomes and the vision. Performance measures and risks are also shown for each strategic objective.

Decision of the Executive Councillor for Environment, Waste and Public Health

Approved the draft Environment, Waste and Public Health Portfolio

Plan 2015-16.

Reason for the Decision

As set out in the Officer’s report.

Any Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

Not applicable.

Scrutiny Considerations

The Committee received a report from the Head of Refuse & Environment; introduced by the Executive Councillor for Environment, Waste and Public Health.

The Committee generally welcomed the Portfolio Plan principles.

In response to Members’ questions the Executive Councillor said the following:

       i.          The timeframe for moving from the Mill Road Depot site depended on finding an alternative location.

     ii.          Having more Enforcement Officers should encourage greater recycling for Houses in Multiple Occupation and target areas that required action eg to address fly tipping.

   iii.          There is an option to potentially charge for the use of a rebuilt Silver Street toilet to offer an alternative means of reducing costs.

The Head of Refuse and Environment and Team Manager (Commercial) said

         i.          The intention behind the Healthier Catering Commitment for Cambridgeshire (HCCC) project was to work with companies to introduce healthier menus. A report will be made to Councillors when HCCC is up and running.

       ii.          HCCC was based on the London project. Take up was limited in Cambridge, but it was hoped this would increase in the future.

     iii.          HCCC would be launched as a pilot project in two areas of the city.

     iv.          Legislation regarding food safety applied to mobile and static premises. Static premises would be inspected at their location, mobile premises at the owner’s home. City Officers would investigate all locations in the city.

      v.          ‘Vision Statement 2: To increase the availability of healthier food alternatives to those who may suffer increased risk of social exclusion’ linked into anti-poverty work. Performance measure 2.2 is a starting point that can then be rolled out if resources allowed. There were no extra resources within the team, resources to date had been freed up by the Executive Councillor reprioritising work.

The Committee unanimously resolved to endorse the recommendation.

The Executive Councillor approved the recommendation. He thanked Officers for their work to date and Former Councillor Swanson for starting the work.

Conflicts of Interest Declared by the Executive Councillor (and any Dispensations Granted)

No conflicts of interest were declared by the Executive Councillor.