Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Barclay, Humphrey, Kunes and Ratcliffe.

To approve the minutes of the previous meeting.

RESOLVED: The Minutes from the previous meeting were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

Please indicate if there are any interests which should be declared.  A declaration of an interest should indicate the nature of the interest (if not already declared on the Register of Interests) and the agenda item to which it relates.  If a disclosable pecuniary interest is declared, the Member should withdraw from the room whilst the matter is discussed.

Those declarations apply to all Members present, whether the Member is part of the meeting, attending to speak as a local Member on an item or simply observing the meeting from the public seating area.

There were no declarations of interest.

To consider any business which, by reason of special circumstances, the Chair proposed to accept as urgent under Section 100(b)(4)(b) of the Local Government Act, 1972.

There was none.

Members wishing to speak pursuant to Standing Order 34 should inform the Chair of their intention to do so and what items they wish to be heard before a decision on that item is taken.  

There was none.

If any.

There was none.

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Representatives from Freebridge Community Housing gave a presentation to the Panel, a copy of which is attached.

The Chair thanked the officers for the update and invited questions and comments from the Panel, as summarised below.

Councillor Colwell commented he was excited about the plans for Dairy Way as it was in his Ward, and he would like to be involved as required. He suggested consideration of a Dementia Trail for Dairy Way.

In response to a question from Councillor Colwell, it was explained that 50% of the Freebridge Housing Stock homes currently met energy efficiency standard B and C.

Representatives from Freebridge explained that they had additional support available for tenants such as winter warmer packs and details of the wider offers and initiatives were available upon request.

Councillor Bullen asked for further information on the improvements to vehicle systems and it was explained that a smart scheduling system to reduce journey times and group jobs together by location was being used.

Councillor Bullen referred to bat, bird and bee boxes and asked if these were used by Freebridge.  Officers from Freebridge were certainly interested in this idea and agreed to liaise with Councillor Bullen.

Representatives from Freebridge Community Housing explained that they would be engaging with Stakeholders and carrying out consultation on the plans for Dairy Way.  They were also keen to engage local Schools.

The Vice Chair, Councillor Devulapalli, referred to retrofitting insulation and asked if Freebridge would consider retrofitting insulation to all homes in one go. It was explained that it was more efficient and less disruptive to tenants to complete one house at a time and there was a limited budget to carryout insulation throughout the stock, so the priority was on the worst performing homes first.

In response to a question, it was explained that for new builds, options such as rainwater harvesting could be looked at alongside available technology for dealing with surface water.

The Portfolio Holder for People and Communities, Councillor Rust, thanked Freebridge Community Housing for attending the meeting and looked forward to seeing more information and being involved in the plans for Dairy Way.

RESOLVED: The Panel noted the update.

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Councillor de Whalley, the Portfolio Holder for Biodiversity and Climate Change introduced the representatives from the RSPB.

Representatives from the RSPB gave a presentation to the Panel, a copy of which is attached.

The Chair thanked the RSPB for the update and invited questions and comments from the Panel, as summarised below.

Councillor Bullen asked what the Borough Council could do to support the process.  He was also concerned about the Wash Barrage proposals and the effect this could have on the World Heritage Site shortlisting.  It was explained that the East Coast Flyway covered lots of Local Authority Areas and it was hoped that a declaration of support could be drawn up that organisations could sign up to.  The RSPB were also optimistic that, because of the funding available, organisation contributions would be quite modest.

Councillor Colwell asked if the project could be at risk if affected by habitat destroyers such as the Wisbech Incinerator, Wash Barrier and Sewage Storm overflow.  It was explained that the biggest threat to the designation was the Wash Barrier as the installation of this would destroy the habitat and mean that the area would not become a World Heritage Site.

In response to further questions, it was explained that designation would bring many opportunities, including tourism, and this would need to be managed to ensure that the landscape remained valuable.  It was explained that there would be consultation and engagement processes to go through.

RESOLVED: The Panel noted the update.

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The Waste and Recycling Manager provided an update on waste management and recycling for the Borough and the Government’s ‘Simpler Recycling’ reforms. 

The Panel was provided with information on the impact Covid had on collection rates.  It was explained that the food waste collection service was disrupted during Covid and had restarted in July 2021.  Levels were now coming back to normal, post Covid, with the exception of food waste collection.  Work was being carried out to promote and increase take up of the food waste collection service.

The Waste and Recycling Manager circulated the revised bin calendar that would be circulated and included additional information on the food waste collection service.  He explained that in March the Council would be promoting Food Waste Collection Week and would carry out engagement in schools, distribute caddies, starter kits and provide information to residents.

The Chair thanked the Waste and Recycling Officer for the update and invited questions and comments from the Panel, as summarised below.

Councillor Colwell explained that customer habits had changed post-Covid, and with the cost of living crisis, people were being more savvy, meaning they may be wasting less.  He also asked if consideration could be given to placing recycling bins in the town centre next to waste bins so visitors to the town had the option to recycle.

Councillor Colwell also commended the small electrical items and battery collection service and hoped that this would continue to be promoted.

Councillor Colwell also referred to the Wisbech Incinerator and explained that more of our waste needed to be diverted away from this, so it was important to promote recycling opportunities in the Borough.

In response to a question from the Vice Chair, Councillor Devulapalli, it was explained that the Council had a good relationship with the company that processed food waste for the Borough.

In response to questions from Councillor Ware, it was confirmed that food waste did need to be presented in the caddy for collection, but any bag could be used as a caddy liner, it did not have to be recyclable. 

Councillor Ware asked for clarification on what was recyclable, and the Waste and Recycling Manager explained that packaging was often printed with recycling information on it.

The Waste and Recycling Manager informed the Panel that 16% of recycling collected wasn’t recyclable and this included a large amount of used nappies, which had to be removed by hand.  Any contaminates not removed could impact the price received and could result in prosecution if contaminated recycling was exported.

Councillor Collop asked if food waste caddy liners would be made available to residents.  The Waste and Recycling Manager explained that a small amount would be made available for Food Waste Recycling Week, but the Council would encourage residents to use left over packaging or bags found around the house, to line their food caddy. 

In response to a question from the Vice Chair, Councillor Devulapalli,  ...  view the full minutes text for item EC82:

RESOLVED: The Panel’s Work Programme was noted.

To note that the next meeting of the Environment and Community Panel is scheduled to take place on Tuesday 9^th April 2024 at 4.30pm in the Town Hall.

The next meeting of the Environment and Community Panel would be held on 9^th April 2024 at 4.30pm in the Town Hall, King’s Lynn.