Agenda and minutes

The Committee noted the evacuation procedure.

There were no declarations of interest.

The Committee noted the meeting procedure.

The Head of Democratic Services presented a report setting out the background to the call-in and supporting documents.

The decisions of Cabinet, taken on 17 October 2024 in relation to the Powering Our Future Programme had been subject to a valid call-in. The call-in applied to the following decisions:

RESOLVED

1. The recommended options set out in the report in respect of the Waste and Recycling Reviews be approved:

·         Introduction of charging for green waste from 1st April 2025

·         Introduction of weekly food waste and recycling service from 1st April 2026 with the acquisition of associated vehicles and the development of a Waste Transfer Station

·         Cease the provision of the Community Recycling Centres with immediate effect.

2. The removal of the maximum charge for non-residential care be approved.

5. The changes to car parking charges in Stockton and Yarm Town centres be approved; including the removal of the first hour free parking and introduction of the rate of £1.50 for three hours stay in short stay car parks, alongside an uplift to long stay car parking charges.

Cabinet Recommended to Council:-

10. Council approve £4.3m prudential borrowing for the acquisition of food and recycling waste receptacles, green waste bins, site preparation costs for a Waste Transfer Station and resurfacing of Wellington Square car park.

The reasons for call-in related to the following principles of decision making:

·         proportionality (i.e. the action must be proportionate to the desired outcome);

·         due consultation and the taking of professional advice from Officers;

·         respect for human rights and equality of opportunity;

·         a presumption in favour of openness;

·         clarity of aims and desired outcomes; and

·         an explanation of what options have been considered and giving the reasons for decisions

·         relevant matters have not been ignored

·         clarity and explanation of information provided

The following Members and officers attended the meeting:

·         Cllr Bob Cook – Leader of the Council

·         Cllr Pauline Beall – Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care

·         Cllr Clare Besford – Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport

·         Garry Cummings – Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Finance, Transformation and Performance

·         Clare Harper – Assistant Director, Finance, Transformation and Performance

·         Reuben Kench – Director of Community Services, Environment and Culture

·         Craig Willows – Assistant Director, Community Services and Transport

·         Carolyn Nice – Director of Adults, Health and Wellbeing

·         Angela Connor - Assistant Director, Adult Social Care

In addition, all Members who signed the call-in request were present at the meeting.

The following documents had been included with the agenda for the meeting for consideration by the Executive Scrutiny Committee:

·         Call-In Form                                                             

·         Decision Record                                                      

·         Report of Monitoring Officer as the decision on the validity of the call-in                                                        

·         Corporate Management Team Response Paper                

In addition to the agenda papers, the following documents had been circulated prior to the meeting:

·         Equality and Poverty Impact Assessment – Increase to non-residential care fees

·         Equality and Poverty Impact Assessment – Changes to car parking charges

·         Knight Frank email regarding tender specification, car park refurbishment, Wellington Square

·         Knight Frank Tender Analysis Report, car park refurbishment,  ...  view the full minutes text for item ESC/27/24