Issue - decisions

Matter for Decision

In October 2021, the Executive Councillor for Communities approved recommendations to support a review of Scrapstore to greater align to corporate priorities. This paper provides an update on progress and further recommendations.

 

Following a mapping exercise and workshop with community partners, an options appraisal and feasibility work has taken place to consider the broader topic of community lending, loaning and reuse and options for direction of travel going forward.

 

Decision of Executive Councillor for Communities

      i.          Noted progress on wider project work to support community lending, loan and re-use in the city in line with the council’s priorities.

     ii.          Noted progress to establish alternative options and support for individuals and groups to access arts, craft and scrap materials, noting intention to close down Scrapstore in its current form and repurpose the unit for Cambridge Food distribution hub in July 2022.

 

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 Community Development Manager.

 

In response to the report Councillors commented that a mobile scrapstore could be provided like a mobile library.

 

The Community Development Manager said the following in response to Members’ questions:

      i.          The Scrapstore had been running for twenty years. Many donated items could be recycled, but they eventually ended up in landfill (so had climate change implications). There was also a climate impact as people travelled to and from the store, plus the van used by the Scrapstore.

     ii.          The Scrapstore could reduce its carbon footprint by moving to a community hub.

   iii.          The store venue and staff were being moved, items in the store were being retained, not disposed of, during the move.

   iv.          Officers were looking at how to support community led recycling schemes in future.

 

The Head of Community Services said the following in response to Members’ questions:

      i.          Scrapstore cost details were set out in the October 2021 committee report.

     ii.          Not all costs could be considered when the project was set up. Costs were covered by Community Services during covid, so manged through the staff budget not the (corporate) capital budget. A new way to provide the facility was now proposed.

 

Councillors requested a change to the recommendations. Councillor Porrer proposed to add the following recommendation to those in the Officer’s report:

 

(New) 3. Bring back a report to the Environment and Community Scrutiny Committee before the end of 2022 with an update on progress on matters described in Section 3.

 

The Committee rejected the recommendation by 6 votes to 3.

 

The Committee resolved by 6 votes to 0 to endorse the (unamended) substantive recommendations as set out in the Officer’s report.

 

The Executive Councillor approved the recommendations.

 

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

The Executive Councillor approved the recommendations.