Agenda and minutes

Councillors Keith Burrows and Pamela Fleming.

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.

There were no declarations of interest.

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting held on 23 June 2017 be taken as read and signed as a correct record.

Members received the Statement of Accounts 2016/17, which had also been considered by the Audit Committee. Jay Patel, Head of Finance, introduced the report and advised that the Authority had had a good financial performance.

The Chair of the Audit Committee reported that the Committee had considered both the report and the comments submitted by the Independent Person, Andrea White. Both the Audit Committee and the Independent Person had expressed concern at the doubling of the audit fee and had indicated that without seeing supporting evidence, the increase could not be endorsed. Jay Patel, Head of Finance, advised Members that, as part of the audit planning process, the auditors had highlighted two areas that would require additional work i.e. property valuation and the introduction of concession accountancy. Subsequently, following a meeting with officers, the auditors had also identified additional work in relation to the valuers. The auditors would provide a breakdown of the work and associated costs but it was not, in his view, unreasonable. The fee would also be subject to scrutiny by the Public Sector Audit Appointments (PSAA).

RESOLVED: That (1) following the receipt of further information from the External Auditor on the audit fee, the Head of Finance, following consultation with the Chair of the Audit Committee, be authorised to approve the fee;

(2) the Statement of Accounts for 2016/17, as attached at Appendix 1 to the report, be approved.

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

In response to a Member’s questions, Ken Lawson, Senior Contract Manager, undertook to clarify the figures in relation to the mixed disposable waste contract and to look to identify a site for food waste closer to Harrow.

RESOLVED: That the report be noted and that the organics contract be submitted to the Authority for consideration in January 2018.

Members received a report which provided an update on the Authority’s operations.

In response to Members concerns in relation to the fire at Twyford WTS and smouldering waste at the Household Re-use and Recycling Centre in Brent, Sarah Ellis, Operations Manager, reported that waste electrical items, including batteries, were often thought to be the source of waste fires and that this was an issue for the waste industry as a whole. The Authority was tackling this issue with the work in the waste minimisation action plan.

Members were advised that there would be a briefing session on waste trends following the meeting.

RESOLVED: That the report be noted.

Members received a report which provided an update on the delivery of projects in the 2017/18 Waste Minimisation Plan.

A Member questioned whether the six constituent authorities had opportunities to discuss managing the collection of waste in the same way. Emma Beal, Managing Director, advised that collective discussion across most boroughs was by both the West London Alliance and West London Waste Authority Borough Partnership meetings. The intention was that residents across the six boroughs be directed to the Authority’s website for advice on waste disposal.

RESOLVED: That (1) the progress of activities so far in 2017/18 (April-June Progress Report) be noted;

(2) the proposed list of activities in the draft 2018/19 Waste Minimisation Plan be noted.

Members received a report which provided details of the Joint Municipal Waste Management Strategy review for the years 2017-20 and provided updated action plans to deliver the remaining strategy aims.

Emma Beal, Managing Director, introduced the reported and advised of a correction on page 90 in that the recycling rate shown was for the year 2015/16. Members noted that Ealing was restricting the amount of residual waste per household. Members also noted that centralised waste data flow reporting was being considered and a trial was in progress with WLWA reporting Hounslow data.

RESOLVED: That the updated action plans be noted.

Members received a report which provided an update on treasury management activities.

RESOLVED: That (1) the treasury management outturn for 2016-17 be noted;

(2) the update for the current year, including the treasury management and prudential indicators, be noted.

Members received a report which provided an update on the financial position of the Authority at the end of July, the key operational performance indicators and delegated financial decisions.

A Member requested further details on the figures for the different types of waste material as, in his view, this would inform Members as to what was being disposed of and this could then be addressed. Members were advised that there would be a briefing session following the meeting where this question would assist the strategic discussion.

RESOLVED: That (1) the current financial position in 2017/18 to period 4 and key performance indicators be noted;

(2) the financial decisions taken under the Scheme of Delegation to Officers 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 for the reason set out below:

RESOLVED: That the report be noted.