The Council is asked to note any statements made by Members of the Cabinet (Portfolio Holders).
Councillors may then ask questions of the Portfolio Holders on their statements.
Minutes:
Action on Climate Change Update
The Environment & Public Space Portfolio Holder (Councillor Talbot) made the following statement:-
“Colleagues, at our last meeting I said would report the responses from our Towns and Parishes to my invitation to them to inform Council, via Tim R. Clarke, our Climate Change officer, of any specific actions they may be taking or considering in their authority area.
I am told that so far replies have been received from Manningtree, St Osyth, Harwich, Little Clacton, Frinton & Walton, Bradfield and Ardleigh, and I thank those Councils for their replies, some of which are so expansive as to form the base for future action on my part. Since Councils meet at different times and arrange their business to suit themselves locally, there may be additional replies still in the pipeline.
To read out all that has been written would take too long but a precis of the responses would include:
· the intention to try paperless agendas;
· to include consideration on each agenda of any Climate Change implications of decisions made;
· lending support to PACE's (Platform for Accelerating the Circular Economy) plastic free initiative;
· use of LED lights where they are a Town or Parish responsibility;
· looking for sites for potential electric car charging points.
· considering local tree planting;
· considering undertaking a climate change audit;
· appointing a specific Council Member tasked with working on ideas that can be implemented;
· looking closely at green energy suppliers for the Village Halls etc.;
· considering seriously Climate Change implications of planning applications, of which they are advised, and passing their view to our Planners; and
· the proposals from Manningtree, Mistley and Lawford who have agreed to set up a Joint Environmental Working Party!
It is quite clear that our Towns and Parishes have got ‘The Bit Between Their Teeth’ on this issue and are looking at many diverse ways of moving towards an abatement of the worst effects of Climate Change.
Ian Taylor, Head of Public Realm, is currently exploring the installation of six EV Charging Points in the ‘Starlings’ development in Dovercourt, with the infrastructure in place for more Charging Points later if desired.
He informs me that we can get grant aid for this project, but this is only possible if we leave the car park accessible 24/7 and free of charges in the evening. There are matters to be addressed such as local concern over the car park being open all night, but we should try to satisfy these and not miss the chance and lose grant aid. Perhaps, I have suggested, by use of CCTV cameras.”
Waste & Recycling Collection Service
Councillor Talbot then made a further statement as follows:-
“And now a statement on a completely different area of my portfolio that is the Waste and Recycling collection service we offer to all Tendring properties.
A very major item on the agenda is the Government’s consultation on Household and Business recycling in England which began on 7 May and finished on 4 July.
Jon Hamlet, Street Scene Manager sent me a significant brief on the Government’s legislation in the Environment Bill for a core set of dry recyclable waste streams to be collected from ALL households and flats in England by end of the 2023/24 financial year. We will be obliged by law to collect the following Dry Recycling, separating different materials from each other:
· Glass bottles and containers;
· Paper and card;
· Plastic bottles;
· Plastic pots, tubs and trays; and
· Steel and aluminium tins and cans.
Do not breathe a sigh of relief yet colleagues, as Jonathan goes on to say that in addition to the above items, the Government also proposes, for later implementation, that the required recyclable waste streams will also include the following items:
§ Aluminium foil and food trays;
§ Steel and aluminium aerosols;
§ Aluminium tubes, e.g., tomato puree tubes;
§ Metal jar and bottle lids;
§ Food and drink cartons, including TetraPak’s; and
§ Plastic films, bread bags and carrier bags.
It is also proposed that a Garden Waste service be introduced, – BUT this one is a free service.
All this means that, quite apart for the huge cost of what will be virtually a new Waste Contract with very substantial changes and consequent charges imposed on us, and all authorities, we in Tendring will lose the income, building up each year, that arises from our successful Garden Waste paid for service.
Jon Hamlet estimates that this will cost an additional £1.2 million per year, but goes on to say it is expected to be met by Government funding and ongoing funding through ‘deposit return scheme’ revenue, but he personally questions how funding will be allocated, as each authority will have very differing cost pressures.
There is also a requirement for a universal food waste service. We do currently operate one, but there are in Tendring 12,000 households who do not receive such a service, so this must be catered and paid for.
On the horizon, with all English authorities needing materials, vehicles, and labour at roughly the same time up to end of 2024, there may well be shortages of all the wherewithal, to meet the new deadlines imposed upon us.”
Councillor Talbot then responded to questions put to him by Councillors Baker, Scott and Bush.
Update on Leisure & Tourism Matters
The Leisure & Tourism Portfolio Holder (Councillor Porter) made a statement updating Members on the following leisure and tourism related matters:-
Harwich Sports Centre
Councillor Porter informed Council that Harwich Sports Centre which had been closed as a result of Covid-19 would be re-opening at 4.40 p.m. on Wednesday 14 July 2021.
Heritage Trail
Councillor Porter informed Council that the Heritage Trail would be formally opened by the Chairman of the Council on Friday 16 July 2021.
Clacton-on-Sea 150th Birthday
Councillor Porter reminded Members that Sunday 18 July 2021 would mark Clacton-on-Sea’s 150th birthday. Several events to mark this important anniversary would be taking place on that day and later on 26th and 27th August 2021 there would be taking place the ‘Clacton 150 Flypast’.
Clacton Seafront – New use for Recycling Boxes
Councillor Porter reported that, following a request from local residents, recycling boxes had been placed on Clacton Seafront so that people could leave their sand buckets and spades for other families to then make use of on the beach.
Councillor Porter then responded to questions put to him by Councillors Miles and Bush.