Decision details

That the Resources and Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee’s recommendations be noted and that the Environment Portfolio Holder’s responses thereto (as set out below) be endorsed:

“(a) I would like to thank the Committee for a thorough and robust review of the roll out of the new Contract.  I do think that it is unfortunate that whilst the Committee acknowledges the hard work of officers the actions of a small number of Councillors, and their inappropriate communications with officers has unnecessarily added to the workload faced by officers in rolling out the new contract.   

(b) I will certainly pick this up with my Officers and make sure that our concerns are addressed with ECC and request that action is taken to deal with the issue.

(c) I do not recognise this issue, other than as an opportunity to criticise me as portfolio holder for information, I was not asked to provide except in an ‘off the cuff’ fashion at the Meeting, bearing in mind the subject of the agenda item which was to review the implementation of the new waste and recycling service.  I will bring forward in due course an options paper to consider what further measures can be put in place to increase recycling rates, within our Budget parameters.

(d) As has been outlined to the Committee previously comparable statistics are only useful as a guide as there are different arrangements in place and different costs associated with those different arrangements in other Districts and of course Tendring residents are still getting used to the new arrangements.  Revised performance indicators will of course be put in place in due course.

(e) This matter is already in hand and on Tuesday 25 February Damian Williams spoke to me about the requested tour of a Veolia recycling facility. He said it is currently being arranged and invited me to write the invitation to Members when final details are known.

(f) I will be discussing these suggestions with officers.”       

Having considered the Portfolio Holder’s responses and being aware that the outcome of the review will be reported back to Full Council in due course.

Not to endorse the Portfolio Holder’s response.

None