Agenda, decisions and minutes

There were no declarations of interest made in accordance with the Code of Conduct.

To confirm as a correct record the Notes of the meeting of the Housing and Environment Services Advisory Board held on 20 July 2015

RESOLVED:  That the notes of the meeting of the Housing and Environment Services Advisory Board held on 20 July 2015 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

-        Presentation by Paul Vanston, Partnership Manager

Mr Paul Vanston, Partnership Manager for the Kent Resource Partnership (KRP), gave a detailed presentation on the role of the KRP and provided an update on recycling and waste management projects within Kent (excluding Medway). 

The joint report of the Director of Street Scene, Leisure and Technical Services, the Director of Planning, Housing and Environmental Health and the Director of Finance and Transformation set out details of the proposed fees and charges for the provision of services in respect of condemned food certificates, exported food certificates, contaminated land, private water supplies, houses in multiple occupation, caravan site licensing, pest control, stray dog redemption fees, household bulky refuse collection and “missed” refuse collection.  The Advisory Board was advised that the proposed charge for an Exported Food Certificate was based on ‘cost recovery’ and noted that this reflected the Council’s priority for supporting local business development.  Members supported the proposal of introducing a new charge for fridge and freezer collection and noted that a further, detailed, report would be submitted to the next meeting of the Advisory Board.

RECOMMENDED:  That Cabinet

(1)          approve the scale of charges for mandatory HMO licensing, caravan site licensing, condemned food certificates, exported food certificates, contaminated land monitoring, sampling private water supplies, stray dog redemption fees, household bulky refuse collection and “Missed” refuse collection charges with effect from 1 April 2016, as detailed in the report to the Advisory Board; and 

(2)          approve the introduction of a new charge for fridge and freezer collections and a report on the proposed charges be submitted to the next meeting of the Housing and Environment Services Advisory Board. 

*  Referred to Cabinet

Decision Notice D150085MEM

The report of the Director of Street Scene, Leisure and Technical Services provided details of the Council’s current arrangements for collecting glass and cans at recycling sites and outlined a proposal to extend the life of the existing collection vehicles, operated in partnership with Tunbridge Wells Borough Council under a contract with Veolia which was due to expire in February 2019. 

RECOMMENDED:  That the life of the Council’s two recycling vehicles be extended to the end of the existing Waste Services contract in February 2019.

Decision Notice D150086MEM

The report of the Director of Planning, Housing and Environmental Health provided an update on the work undertaken by the Environmental Protection Team and the Food and Safety Team.  Particular reference was made to the development of the Kent and Medway Health and Safety Memorandum of Understanding – Flexible Warranting Scheme which would enable the appointment and indemnity of suitably qualified Inspectors to undertake work across local authorities within Kent.  An update was also provided on progress with the Retrofitting Project to reduce emissions from buses being undertaken in partnership with Maidstone Borough Council, Kent County Council and Arriva Buses.

RECOMMENDED:  That

(1)       the Kent and Medway Health and Safety Memorandum of Understanding in respect of the Flexible Warranting Scheme be signed by the Borough Council; and

(2)       in the event of the project group deeming it feasible, the continuation of the Retrofitting Project be supported.

Decision Notice D150087MEM

The report of the Director of Planning, Housing and Environmental Health provided an update on the Syrian Vulnerable Persons Relocation Scheme, a managed migration scheme run by the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) and outlined current national and local government initiatives to accommodate refugees fleeing Syria.  The report outlined how the Borough Council, working with partners, could assist in the resettlement of Syrians from the refugee camps over a five year period. 

RECOMMENDED:  That

(1)          the Borough Council’s formal participation in the Syrian Vulnerable Persons Relocation Scheme be agreed; and

(2)          the Home Office be advised that the Borough Council hopes to offer to resettle 10 Syrian refugee households over the next 5 years.

Decision Notice D150088MEM

The report of the Director of Planning, Housing and Environmental Health provided an update on legislative changes in the Private Rented Sector introduced by the Deregulation Act 2015 and the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (England) Regulations 2015. 

RECOMMENDED:  That

(1)          delegated Authority be granted to the Director of Planning, Housing and Environmental Health to implement and enforce the requirements of the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (England) Regulations 2015; and

(2)          the Director of Planning, Housing and Environmental Health be authorised to publish a statement of principles on the Council’s website defining how a penalty charge for a breach of the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (England) Regulations 2015 is determined and to determine the amount of penalty charge to be applied. 

The report of the Director of Planning, Housing and Environmental Health provided an update on key issues relating to the Housing Service and made particular reference to proposals contained in the Housing and Planning Bill 2015 and the Welfare Reform and Work Bill 2015 and the delivery of Affordable Housing across the Borough.

Further to the presentation provided by the Kent Resource Partnership Manager, the report of the Director of Street Scene, Leisure and Technical Services provided information and updates on the project work being undertaken within the Borough. 

The Chairman to move that the press and public be excluded from the remainder of the meeting during consideration of any items the publication of which would disclose exempt information.

There were no items considered in private.