Economic Development and Corporate Issues Scrutiny Panel 26 April 2010

PRESENT: Councillor Smith in the chair. Councillors Glover (Vice-chairman), Ali, Bainbridge, Barkworth, Berry and Bunyan.

The panel met at Pittwood House, Scunthorpe.

155 DECLARATIONS OF PERSONAL OR PERSONAL AND PREJUDICIAL INTERESTS AND DECLARATIONS OF WHIPPING ARRANGEMENTS (IF ANY) – The following member declared a personal interest in the following matter:

Member
Minute
Subject and Nature of Interest
Councillor Ali General Licence Holder

No whip was declared.

156 PUBLIC SPEAKING – There were no requests received.

157 REGENERATION AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN NORTH LINCOLNSHIRE – Informal discussions with Simon Driver, Chair of the Local Strategic Partnership (LSP) – The Chair welcomed Simon to the meeting and invited him to respond to questions from the members, which had been raised following discussions with Marcus Walker, Head of Strategic Regeneration, Housing and Development (minute 146 refers).

Members engaged in discussions with Simon Driver and covered aspects such as effective partnership working, the membership of the LSP, its influence within the wider community and the investment being received from Yorkshire Forward and how this had been affected with the recent changes in the economic climate.

Members asked whether the LSP would benefit from new membership, specifically from local industry and that consideration be given to having trade union representatives on the Board.

The Service Director Legal and Democratic was asked to formulate a report outlining the discussions that had been held and was asked that this be taken as the panel’s response to the Performance Monitoring – quarter 3 Local Area Agreement data 2009/2010 (Economic Board) that had been presented to the panel on 29 March 2010.

Resolved – (a) That Simon Driver be thank for his attendance at the meeting and for engaging in such informative discussions, (b) that the Service Director Legal and Democratic produce a report in response to the quarter 3 Local Area Agreement data 2009/2010 (Economic Board), and (c) that the position be noted.

158 ‘GREENING THE WORKPLACE’ REVISIT – (i) Discussions with Keith Ford, Service Director Neighbourhood and Environment and John Luty, Head of Fleet Provision – The chair welcomed Keith Ford and John Luty to the meeting and invited them to address the panel on changes that were being made within Neighbourhood and Environmental services and also with the fleet management.

Keith Ford confirmed that the control and usage of the fleet was essential to reduce carbon emissions, however, a more significant impact would be achieved by effective management of waste and refuse. The panel was advised that through effective procurement exercises, innovative ways of dealing with waste and refuse would remain at the forefront of the Service’s thinking.

Members engaged in discussions with John Luty over the branded fleet of vehicles, how the newer cleaner emitting vehicles did not give rise to a significant drop in CO2 emissions and that the most effective way to reduce the fleet emissions would be to reduce the total mileage. When questioned, John confirmed that the total mileage covered by the councils fleet in 2008/09 was 5.9 million miles, resulting in a total of 1,179,071 Kilograms of carbon emissions.

Members engaged in further discussions, deliberating on the optimisation of refuse collection routes, the additional costs incurred with purchasing hybrid vehicles and whether this should now be considered to offset the inevitable impact from carbon trading.

Keith Ford summarised by saying that the role of the fleet manager was changing. Originally the role was to ensure that the service obtained the correct vehicle, for the right price. It was now evident that there would be a change in practice, and that the fleet manager would now be looking at the wider strategic needs and therefore the role would become more difficult to address all agendas.

Resolved – (a) That Keith Ford and John Luty be thanked for their attendance at the meeting and for engaging in such informative discussions, and (b) that the position be noted.

159 (ii) Next Stages – The panel engaged in discussions over information that had been presented to them and concluded that consideration had to be given to the future role of the fleet manager and how this would evolve over the next 10 years. Consideration had to be given to the number of miles covered by employees of North Lincolnshire Council and what was needed to reduce this.

Councillor Barkworth and Berry referred members to a historic report that had given consideration to the usage of electric cars for short journeys. It was requested that a copy of this be provided for reference to all members of the panel.

Further discussions ensued around the use of innovative waste recycling, and the usage of extracted fuel for the fleet vehicles.

The Service Director Legal and Democratic confirmed that a draft report would be brought to the next scheduled meeting of this panel.

Resolved – That the position be noted.

160 (25) LEADER OF THE COUNCILS FORWARD PLAN – APRIL TO JULY 2010 – The Service Director Legal and Democratic circulated the Leader of North Lincolnshire Council’s Forward Plan for April to July 2010.

The plan contained details of all matters and issues likely to be the subject of key decisions for a period of the next four months, updated on a monthly basis.

Resolved – That the Leader of the Council’s Forward Plan for April to July 2010 be noted. 161 ADDED ITEM – There was no added item for discussion at this or requested for consideration at a future meeting.

161 ADDED ITEM – There was no added item for discussion at this or requested for consideration at a future meeting.