Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Eddie Lavery and Councillor Krupa Sheth.

Members are reminded that if they have a pecuniary interest in any matter being discussed at the meeting they must declare the interest.  They may not take part in any discussion or vote on a matter in which they have a pecuniary interest.

RESOLVED: To note that there were no declarations of interests made by Members.

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting held on 20 January 2023 be taken as read and signed as a correct record.

Members received a report which provided an update on the Authority’s waste treatment arrangements and procurements.

Beth Bayley, Contracts Manager, outlined the contents of the report and advised that the SERC contract was running well and that the impacts of the recent rail strikes had been minimal due to contingency arrangements. She reported that the improvement projects were being delivered at all Boroughs’ HRRCs and that the Environment Directors had recommended that unspent HRRC improvement finding was rolled over into the next financial year to enable the completion of projects.

A Member welcomed the receipt of timely information if an incident occurred and stated that it was pleasing to hear that contingencies were holding up well. Following the incident involving batteries in the shredder, Peter Tilston, Projects Director, advised that there would be a focus on communications in relation to batteries, barbecues and fires in general.

In response to a question about the Electricity Generators Levy, Jay Patel, Finance Director, advised that the contractor had indicated that pricing over the last quarter only applied January to March so there would not be any impact in the current financial year. Members noted that, following the letters from waste authorities to the Treasury in relation to this potential tax, the guidance was currently being drafted and it was hoped that there may be a positive outcome in that the Authority’s income would not be affected.

RESOLVED: That the carry-over of unspent HRRC Improvement funding into the next financial year (2023/24) be approved.

Members received a report which provided an update on the Authority’s Food Waste Investment in Borough Business Cases that had been approved in September 2020.

Peter Tilston, Projects Director, outlined the content of the report and, in response to a question, confirmed that Harrow had the highest capture of waste as the service had been running for longer than in other boroughs. Both Brent and Richmond had been impacted by contractual arrangements whilst Harrow and Hillingdon were the majority of the way through the investment. Hillingdon and Hounslow had achieved over and above the returns they had been looking to deliver.

A Member commented that it was challenging to read the latest position given the amount of effort put in to reduce food waste and also food waste being placed in residual waste. Progress appeared to be slow and there were  challenges being faced by the Authority which may not be clear to an observer. Emma Beal, Managing Director, advised that there were potential opportunities but that legislation may provide some consistency across boroughs.

RESOLVED: That the report be noted.

Members received a report which provided details of the Authority’s Annual Procurement Strategy for the year 2023/24.

Beth Bayley, Contracts Manager, introduced the report and drew attention to Tables 1 and 2 which provided details of the anticipated procurements requiring Chief Officer and Member approval and the circular economy procurements that fell under the Authority’s Social Value and Reuse Programme.

RESOLVED: That the Annual Procurement Plan for 2023/24 be approved.

Jay Patel, Finance Director, introduced the report which provided an update on financial and operational matters. He reported that the financial performance was strong and that operational performance was reasonably good.

In response to a question as to why the commercial site had been closed, the Members were advised that whilst the detail was not known there was a planning application and therefore the site might not continue as a waste site which could be good for the Authority. A number of waste sites in the region were being targeted for development and were only protected within the remit of the waste plan. The level of protection may require review,

RESOLVED: That (1) the financial position and forecast for 2022/23 be noted;

(2) a reserve to carry forward unspent HRRC funding so that it remained available for boroughs to use in 2023/24 be approved;

(3) the Key Performance Indicators be noted;

(4) the delegated decisions be noted.

RESOLVED:  That in accordance with Part I of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item(s) for the reasons set out below:

Emma Beal, Managing Director, introduced a confidential report which provided an update on the SERC capacity increase.

RESOLVED: That the report be noted.