Neighbourhood, Environmental and Communities Cabinet Member – Minutes – 28 April 2009

63 (24) WAVE 2 PLAYBUILDER SITES – The Service Director Neighbourhood and Environment submitted a report to inform the Cabinet Member of the recommendations made by the Playbuilder Evaluation Panel for the sites to be redeveloped in 2009/11, and seeking approval of the sites and to note the procurement process as recommended by the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF).

Following the award of Wave 2 Playbuilder status by DCSF, the Cabinet member confirmed the governance arrangements for the project on 31 March 2009 (minute 61 refers).

An Evaluation Panel of officers met on 18 March 2009 to identify a list of sites for each of the two years using a robust set of evaluation criteria, based on those used in the recent Big Lottery play project. The sites were identified in Appendix 1 of the report with details of the consultation process.

The DCSF had provided advice on the appropriate procurement process to be used. This took the form of a framework agreement, which greatly expedited the process. Details were set out in the report. The Cabinet Member would receive progress reports during the course of the two-year project.

Resolved – (a) That the Playbuilder sites as described in Appendix 1 of the report be approved, and (b) that the procurement process as recommended by the DCSF be followed.

64 (25) CLOSURE OF AUTOMATED PUBLIC CONVENIENCES – The Service Director Neighbourhood and Environment submitted a report seeking approval from the Cabinet Member to close two Automatic Public Conveniences (APCs).

There were three different types of toilet provision within North Lincolnshire: attended toilets, non-attended traditional brick type buildings and Automatic Public Conveniences (APCs).

There were five APCs within North Lincolnshire. One situated in Barton; one in Crowle and three in Scunthorpe (one at the Bus Station; one at Ashby Turn and one in the precinct at the junction with Gilliatt Street). The one in the bus station was a relatively new addition with disabled facilities. The others did not have a disabled facility and had been in operation since they were installed by the three predecessor district councils.

The usage of the three APCs at Crowle, Barton and Ashby Turn had declined steadily over the years. Indeed the one at Barton had had no recorded usage this year. The one in Crowle Market Place was subject to continual anti-social behaviour and vandalism. The Ashby Turn APC had seen a downturn in usage due possibly to alternative facilities which were available locally.

Resolved – (a) That the closure of the two Automatic Public Conveniences at Barton and Ashby Turn Scunthorpe be supported, and (b) that further consideration be given to the future of the APC in Crowle later in the year when consultation with the Town Council had concluded.

65 (26) RECYCLING FOR THE PUBLIC SECTOR – The Service Director Neighbourhood and Environment submitted a report for consideration of a proposal for the expansion of existing recycling schemes operated by the council to other public sector partner organisations within North Lincolnshire.

In November 2008 the council expanded its range of waste recycling services to include all schools and buildings occupied by the council. Early feedback suggested that the schemes were working well.

The acquisition of the necessary infrastructure, including vehicles and waste reprocessing capacity, required to support the school etc recycling schemes had provided an opportunity to expand the services further. A limited amount of surplus capacity currently exists on the recently established recycling collection rounds. This is believed to be sufficient to enable the servicing of those public sector partner organisations that are actively involved in the delivery of the North Lincolnshire Sustainable Community Strategy.

Waste collected by the council became municipal waste by definition. The separate collection of recyclable material would actively contribute to landfill diversion targets and be reported through National Indicator 193.

Resolved – (a) That the proposal to extend recycling services to those public sector organisations detailed in the report be approved in principle, (b) that early contact be made with representatives of the organisations concerned and consideration be given to the practical implementation of recycling schemes, and (c) that a further report setting out detailed proposals for the design and roll out of any scheme be submitted to a future meeting.

66 (27) ANALYTICAL AND SCIENTIFIC SERVICES – The Service Director Neighbourhood and Environment submitted a report seeking approval to extend the current contract for analytical and scientific services for a further 12 months.

North Lincolnshire Council had a duty to enforce legislation relating to the composition and labelling of food, animal feeding stuffs and fertilisers. This ensured that at every stage of the human food chain, products were safe, met any minimum prescribed standards, were properly described and labelled in accordance with the statutory information.

To ensure food and agriculture samples were properly analysed and reported upon, a public analyst and an agricultural analyst had to legally be appointed. There were strict qualification requirements attached to these posts. Consequently, not every analytical laboratory could carry out these roles.

Following an EU competitive tendering exercise in 2006, West Yorkshire Analytical Services, a part of the West Yorkshire Joint Trading Standards Services, were appointed analysts for the council. The contract was for three years with an option to extend for a further twelve months. The three year period ended on 31 May 2009.

Resolved – That the proposal to appoint staff employed by West Yorkshire Analytical Services as Public and Agricultural Analysts until 31 May 2010 be approved.