Issue - meetings

The Deputy Mayor highlighted that recommendations from two recent meetings of the Executive Committee were due to be considered at the Council meeting.  These Executive Committee meetings had been held on 26^th November 2024 and 14^th January 2025 respectively. 

In considering the recommendations, Members were asked to note that the recommendation arising from the Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) Tranche 1 report, pertaining to a feasibility study for Matchborough, Winyates and Woodrow District Centres had been made at both meetings.  To ensure efficiency in the decision-making process, it was suggested that this recommendation should be considered once only during the Council debate.

Carbon Reduction Strategy and Implementation Plan

Members considered the Carbon Reduction Strategy and Implementation Plan.  Officers were thanked for their hard work in developing the content of the strategy and action plan and the Overview and Scrutiny Committee was thanked for scrutinising the content of the report in detail.

During consideration of this item, clarification was requested from officers regarding an apparent discrepancy in the implementation plan.  The plan reported that staff mileage claims had increased in the previous three years but that agile working had also contributed to a reduction in staff mileage across the Council.  Officers undertook to provide a response in writing to Members in respect of this matter after the meeting.

Revenue and Performance Monitoring Quarter 2 2024/25

The Revenue and Performance Monitoring Report for the second quarter of the 2024/25 financial year was considered.

During consideration of this item, reference was made to the redevelopment of the Town Hall as a community hub and questions were raised about whether the plans for the hub would be changing following publication of the Government’s English Devolution White Paper.  Clarification was provided that the current plans for the community hub remained in place and would proceed as previously planned.

Reference was also made to the decision, taken earlier in the year, not to relocate the library into the Town Hall and questions were raised about the financial implications of this for the Council.  The Section 151 Officer explained that it was not possible to provide an exact figure of the costs involved at this stage and this information would become more apparent through the external audit process.

Questions were also raised about the potential impact of Local Government Reorganisation on Council revenue streams, particularly in relation to partner organisations that had hired space in the community hub on the understanding that there would be a local government presence.  Members were advised that the MTFP was in the process of being reviewed and regeneration projects had been reset.  Savings had been identified alongside pressures as part of this process.  It was also noted that many of the facilities that would be installed could be used for other purposes.

Food Waste Business Case and Associated Waste Related Issues

The report in respect of the Food Waste Business Case and associated waste related issues was considered at the meeting.  Members noted that there remained some areas of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 60