Apologies for absence were received from the Chair, Councillor Moring (substitute: Councillor Cox), and Councillors Cowan (substitute: Councillor Cowdrey), Walker (substitute: Councillor Lamb) and Wakefield (no substitute).

The following interests were declared at the meeting:

(i) Councillors Gilbert, Mulroney and Collins (Cabinet Members) – Interest in the referred items; attended pursuant to the dispensation agreed at Council on 19th July 2012, under S.33 of the Localism Act 2011.

There were no public questions.

Report of Executive Director (Neighbourhoods and Environment)

This report will have been circulated to all Councillors with the Cabinet papers.  The relevant Minute of Cabinet will be tabled at the meeting.

The Committee considered Minutes 629 and 631 of Cabinet, which had been referred direct to Scrutiny by Cabinet, together with the report of the Executive Director (Neighbourhoods and Environment) presenting two options for securing the future service provision of the Recycling, Waste and Cleansing Contract, with the express aim of supporting the Council’s declared Climate Emergency, the Southend 2050 Ambition and meeting the changing requirements of environmental legislation and the growing environmental demands of the Borough’s residents. Copies Minutes 629 and 631 were circulated to all Councillors prior to the meeting and were tabled.

Concerns were expressed at the lateness of the circulation of the reports to Councillors on the Committee, particularly given the importance and magnitude of the matter.

The Committee debated the matter in detail and asked a number of questions that were responded to by the Cabinet Member for Environment, Culture, Tourism and Planning and officers.

Resolved:-

1. That the matter be referred back to Cabinet for reconsideration with the recommendation that that the weekly collection of general residual waste be included in any tender documentation as a mandatory requirement.

Reasons for Decision

To ensure that any new waste collection contract retains the existing weekly collection of general residual waste.

Other Options

As set out in the submitted report.

Note: This is an Executive Function

Cabinet Member: Cllr Mulroney

Resolved:-

That, under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the items of business set out below, on the grounds that they would involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act and that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

Report of Executive Director (Neighbourhoods & Environment) to follow

The Committee received a confidential report of the Executive Director (Neighbourhoods and Environment) concerning the Waste Collection Contract which was considered in conjunction with Minute 635 above.

Resolved:

That the confidential report be noted.

Note: This is an Executive Function

Cabinet Member: Cllr Mulroney