Minutes:
Question to: Councillor Tyrrell
Question from: Councillor Gibson
Subject: Wheelie Bins
Councillor Gibson welcomed the untidy sites and live streaming updates. Councillor Gibson stated that a debate regarding the implementation of wheelie bins was needed. Could the Portfolio Holder confirm whether he supported wheelie bins for South Holland? Councillor Tyrell responded that the current priority was the re-routing of waste collections and the depot. Wheelie bins were not being considered at the current time.
Question to: Councillor Casson
Question from: Councillor Reynolds
Subject: XL Bully Dogs
Councillor Reynolds asked Councillor Casson for views on XL Bully Dogs and whether any breeder licences for such dogs had been granted in South Holland. Councillor Casson responded that SHDC had not granted any breeder licences for XL Bully Dogs. It was noted that the Prime Minister had made a public comment to ban breeders of XL Bully Dogs by the end of the year and that the Council had awaited sight of draft legislation, guidance, or any consultation paper with interest. As developments occurred, members would be consulted regarding the approach taken in South Holland. How XL Bully Dog breeders were recognised and defined in law would be key. Unless the breed was banned by status, the council did not have a lawful reason to reject or refuse to grant any application for the breed.
Question to: Councillor Worth
Question from: Councillor M Le Sage
Subject: Devolution
Councillor M Le Sage requested an update on the current situation regarding devolution. Residents he had spoken to had not supported it. Had his suggested legal challenge progressed? Councillor Worth responded that all district councils had agreed that a better representation was required on any proposed combined authority and the deal was poor. There had not been any movement since the last update however a meeting with the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities was planned for the following day which may lead to an update.
Question to: Councillor Tyrrell
Question from: Councillor Brewis
Subject: Re-routing of Waste communication to residents.
Councillor Brewis asked when correspondence would be received by residents regarding the re-routing of waste collections and impact on changes to collection days which was due to be implemented in 5 days. An error on the website regarding collection dates had been corrected however the website did not indicate any changes to collections in respect of Bank Holidays. Would a further letter need to be sent to clarify the matter to residents? Councillor Tyrrell responded that 45,000 letters had been sent which were in the process of being delivered. The information was available on the website. Bank Holiday collection arrangements remained the same as the current system and would take place on the following day. Councillor Brewis asked again whether a further letter would need to be sent to every household regarding Bank Holiday collections as not everyone used the internet. Councillor Tyrrell responded that people would be aware through their usual channels of information and that letters had not previously been circulated regarding Bank Holiday collections.
Question to: Councillor Tyrrell
Question from: Councillor Harrison
Subject: Bins in parishes
Councillor Harrison stated that the waste re-routing exercise had temporarily impacted the siting and emptying of new litter bins for parishes. Had this now changed? Councillor Tyrrell responded that an existing damaged street bin would be replaced. Proposed sites for new bins would need to be surveyed. Any requests should be referred to the Head of Environmental and Operational Services.
Question to: Councillor Worth
Question from: Councillor Spencer
Subject: Waste collection – Bin bags v wheelie bins
Councillor Spencer stated that the issue of bin bags versus wheelie bins needed to be properly debated. The issue was wider than the opinion of one or more councillors and needed to consider broader aspects including financial. The opportunities to share facilities with partnership authorities needed to be considered. Councillor Spencer proposed that a Task and Finish Group be set up to fully investigate the issue. Councillor Worth responded that the system of black and green bags would not change in the immediate future. The Prime Minister had recently reversed the proposals for 7 different waste streams however a food waste scheme was likely to commence from 2025 and this was deemed to be the optimum time to look at the issue more broadly for South Holland. Conversations were taking place with Boston and East Lindsey regarding efficient working practices across all of the council’s services.
Question to: Councillor Taylor
Question from: Councillor J Le Sage
Subject: New swimming pool
Councillor J Le Sage referred to the 26 July 2023 Council meeting where Councillor Taylor confirmed that there were no plans to build a 50-metre swimming pool and asked whether this decision was due to a lack of funds, a lack of space, or a lack of desire? Councillor J Le Sage had measured the site and stated that the area was sufficient for a 50-metre pool. In addition, he said that a 2014 report from Sport England had stated that an Olympic-sized swimming pool, two social pools, a gym and other facilities could be built for £13million. With the consideration of inflation, Councillor J Le Sage had calculated the current cost to be around £21million. He concluded by stating that as the Council had the funds and space, that the decision not to build a 50-metre pool was due to a lack of desire. Councillor Taylor confirmed the strong desire to improve the sports facilities in the town and this had resulted in submission of an ambitious and ultimately successful Levelling Up bid to build the new Health and Wellbeing Hub. The focus of the Health and Wellbeing Hub was not confined to the swimming pool but a suite of wider facilities which aimed to be attractive to all residents, improve health and wellbeing issues and double attendance. It was noted that facilities across the country had closed however South Holland had been given the opportunity to redevelop its current facilities. A positive and supportive approach towards the new facility was called for. Councillors would be provided with an update on progress of the new Health and Wellbeing Hub at an all-member briefing in October.
Councillor Worth suggested that Councillors be reminded of their duty relating to declarations of interest. Councillor Taylor added that where any risk of constitutional non-compliance could be construed, that guidance be sought from the Monitoring Officer prior to the posing of a question.
Question to: Councillor Tyrrell
Question from: Councillor Beal
Subject: Expansion of garden waste collections
Councillor Beal stated that many residents in his ward were keen to have a garden waste bin. When would expansion of the green waste collection scheme take place? Councillor Tyrrell responded that although a timeframe was not currently available, the service would be expanded in due course. This would take place after the re-routing of household and recyclable waste rounds had been embedded which would in-turn inform the re-routing exercise of garden waste collections.
Question to: Councillor Carter
Question from: Councillor Hutchinson
Subject: Retrofit/refurbishment of Council properties
Councillor Hutchinson noted that the Council had spent a significant amount of funds on the refurbishment of council housing stock to meet both new legislative requirements and the needs of residents and asked whether the Council worked with developers at the point of purchase to avoid the need for retrofit exercises. Councillor Carter stated that refurbishment had taken place for many years as it had been important for the Council to ensure good quality housing. This included a regular 30 year rolling programme of window replacements. Whilst newbuild properties were purchased ‘off the peg’ from stock, these were high quality buildings which complied to current standards, such as relating to door widths and height of electric sockets. Where properties required certain specific changes, the Disabled Facilities Grants (DFG) could be utilised. In such cases, facilities would only be considered where it was beneficial overall, for example, a wet room would not be installed in a first floor flat. The approach taken would consider both the best use of funds and required outcome for the resident.
Question to: Councillor Tyrrell
Question from: Councillor Hutchinson
Subject: Waste re-routing letters to residents
Councillor Hutchinson referred to feedback she had received from residents regarding the re-routing of waste collections communications. She had obtained sight of letters which had not stipulated the ‘collection date’ but instead stated ‘REF’. Councillor Tyrrell responded that he was not aware of this issue and would investigate the matter. Councillor Hutchinson also stated that whilst the Council had advised that waste collection days would be available to view online from 29 September 2023, this had occurred sooner which had caused confusion. Councillor Hutchinson asked why the timing of all Council communications on the matter had not coincided with the release of the press statement. Councillor Tyrrell apologised for an error regarding dates on the website which had since been rectified.
Question to: Councillor Carter
Question from: Councillor Eldridge
Subject: Sheltered Housing Review
Councillor Eldridge referred to the service review of the Sheltered Housing Service which was underway and asked for a progress update. Councillor Carter confirmed that the review was wide-ranging. Health checks in liaison with the NHS had been trialled at centres which had proved popular as one third of those invited had attended. Digital training sessions would be running from the end of September 2023 to March 2024 in seven centres across the district and these would be free for residents. Engagement with residents through focus groups had taken place around the district. Regarding Community Centres: three Community Centres would be refurbished each year with input from residents; the exteriors would be refurbished; fencing maintained; planters were being provided by MenShed; and feedback and consultation sessions were due to take place to ensure transparency around service charges. In addition, consultations were taking place regarding the potential implementation of an Independent Living Officer to support residents.
Question to: Councillor Worth
Question from: Councillor Sheard
Subject: SHDC’s approach to biodiversity net gain
Councillor Sheard referred to biodiversity net gain (BNG) and queried SHDC’s approach based on the following points: the UK wildlife was in decline; central government had stipulated a growth in housebuilding was required; and funding was available. Councillor Worth responded that the Prime Minister had today rolled-back on the planned approach regarding BNG. SHDC would re-evaluate the issue when clarity on the matter was received from central government.
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Question to: Councillor Tyrrell
Question from: Councillor Barnes
Subject: Garden Waste Bins
Councillor Barnes referred to the waiting list for the green waste bin collections and stated that those on the waiting list had not received an update for almost one year. He requested that an update email be sent to those on the waiting list. Councillor Tyrrell responded that not all residents had submitted an email address however updated information was available on the council website under the ‘Rubbish, Recycling and Garden Waste’ area. Expansion of the garden waste scheme would take place however this awaited completion of the household and recycling re-routing exercise as previously mentioned. The waiting list was open for new registrations.