Agenda and minutes

Venue: Council Chamber, Harrow Civic Centre, Station Road, Harrow, HA1 2XY. View directions

Contact: Alison Atherton  Tel: 07825 726493, E-mail:  alison.atherton@harrow.gov.uk

Media

Items
No. Item

18.

Apologies for absence

Additional documents:

Minutes:

There were no apologies for absence.

19.

Declarations of interest

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.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

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

20.

Minutes of the meeting held on 24 June 2022 pdf icon PDF 83 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting held on 24 June 2022 be taken as read and signed as a correct record.

21.

Contracts and Operations Update pdf icon PDF 182 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

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

 

In response to a question about the number of fires at various facilities, the Head of Service Delivery advised that fire suppression work was included in the HRRC improvement plan and that engagement with residents and the systems at two major facilities should assist. Following a Member’s comment that boroughs should be encouraged to do a communications piece in terms of the risks relating to firework disposal, the Head of Service Delivery undertook to raise the issue with the Borough Operation Group.

 

A Member requested an update on Persistent Organic Pollutants and was advised that interpretation of the legislation was the issue. Lobbying through the industry association was on going and there had been discussions with the Environment Agency and there was also due to be a meeting with DEFRA on this matter.

 

RESOLVED: That the report be noted.

 

 

22.

Finance Update July 2022 pdf icon PDF 411 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Members received a report which provided an update on financial and operational matters.

 

Jay Patel, Finance Director, outlined the content of the report and highlighted that the main variance was in relation to waste disposal transport costs; this was a similar pattern to the previous year. In addition, two Key Performance Indicators were not green, one of which was food waste tonnage per person collected.

 

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

(2) the Key Performance Indicators to date be noted;

(3) the delegated decisions be noted;

(4) the Treasury Management outturn for 2021/22 and update for 2022/23 be noted.

23.

Projects and Circular Economy Update pdf icon PDF 215 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Peter Tilston, Projects Director, introduced the report which provided an update on the Authority’s projects.

 

Members welcomed the fixing factory project and the material diversion from Abbey Road HRRC (bicycles and buggies) and sought clarification in terms of the Bin Wash and Swap Station at Transport Avenue. Peter Tilston advised that Hounslow Council were utilizing the bin wash and swap and this was an operational change.

 

RESOLVED: That the report be noted.

 

24.

Health and Safety Policy Change pdf icon PDF 919 KB

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Minutes:

Members received a report which sought approval to the Authority’s Health and Safety Policy and Guidance to enable work placements for people with increased duty of care, including both young and vulnerable people, on sites.

 

The proposed change was welcomed by Members but it was recognised that this would need to be monitored, particularly due to the risks associated with machinery. In addition, a Member sought clarification in terms of Looked After Children and Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) checks in that it was not known who would need them and therefore there were the cost implications.

 

RESOLVED: That the amendment to the Health and Safety Policy and Guidance to enable Vulnerable Persons to access the Abbey Road site to include work experience and work placements be approved.

 

 

25.

Food Recycling Projects Update pdf icon PDF 341 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

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, introduced the report and advised that the overall capture rate for food waste was improving but acknowledged the concern expressed that residents were still placing food waste into residual waste. The Member stated that Richmond had prepared a hard-hitting video on this matter as there were barriers to overcome. Emma Beal, Managing Director, advised that the issue was that few people used the food waste system well and many did not use it at all.

 

The Projects Director advised that officers did try to operate best practice forums so that boroughs could learn from each other and that assistance may also be possible via procurement. He undertook to provide Members with the breakdown of contamination by food waste across housing type and borough. The Managing Director added that she was happy to give a presentation to borough colleagues/ Councillors who do not deal with waste to raise awareness.

 

RESOLVED: That (1) an extension to the timeframe for project return evaluation from 3 to 5 years be approved;

(2) the report be noted.

26.

Finance Strategy pdf icon PDF 339 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Jay Patel, Finance Director, outlined the content of the report which provided the Finance Strategy and highlighted that the key message was in relation to financial stability in the long term.

 

RESOLVED: That (1) the Finance Strategy, set out at Appendix 1 to the officer report, be approved;

(2) the distribution of new income and excess reserves, as detailed in section 3 of the officer report, be approved.

27.

West London Waste Authority Business Plan pdf icon PDF 269 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Emma Beal, Managing Director, introduced the Authority’s Business Plan for 2022/23, highlighted the key points and indicated that she would submit progress updates to future meetings.

 

RESOLVED: That (1) the Business Plan activities for inclusion in the annual report be approved;

(2) the framework for the Joint Plan for 2030, as set out in section 4 of the officer report be approved.