Agenda and minutes

To approve the minutes of the previous meeting held on 26 September 2018.

The minutes of the meeting held on 26 September 2018 were confirmed and signed.

Members are requested to declare the existence and nature of any disclosable pecuniary interest and/or other interest in any item on the agenda.

There were no declarations of interest.

To update the Leisure and Environment Committee on the new Get Active strategy 2018 – 2021.  A copy of the strategy is circulated separately with this agenda.

The Committee noted the new Get Active Strategy 2018-21 contained within the appendix to the report.  The Strategy detailed Liberty Leisure Limited’s approach for Broxtowe and the Managing Director of Liberty Leisure provided background information to the report and emphasised the necessity to try and get people to respond to change.  It was stated that engagement in activities and increased attendance at leisure centres reduced loneliness and improved performance indicators.

Members discussed the Strategy and it was stated that the role of the Council was to provide facilities that people could and wanted to use.

To seek approval for the 2019/20 garden waste subscription fees.

Approval was sought from Committee for the 2019/20 garden waste subscription fees as set out in the appendix to the report.

It was noted that the Council had over-performed in terms of the target that had been set and that the previous increase in charges had not deterred residents from subscribing.

Members debated whether or not the charges should be increased for 2019/20 and it was stated that a gentle, incremental increase in charges was considered to be preferable to maintaining the status quo and then opting to introduce a more substantial increase in future years.

            RESOLVED that:

1.             The price for the first bin for 2019/20 be increased to £33.

2.             The price for additional bins for 2019/20 be increased to £16.

The resolution be recommended to the Finance and Resources Committee for approval.

To report progress against outcome targets identified in the Liberty Leisure Limited Business Plan.

Members noted the progress against outcome targets identified in the Liberty Leisure Limited Business Plan.  It was advised that direct debits had increased by 10% thus increasing income which would be reinvested in facilities. 

The proposed use of fireworks at a town council Christmas light switch-on in the borough was discussed and it was suggested that the publicity material should include the time and duration of the fireworks display.

The Fast Track Entry System at Kimberley Leisure Centre was discussed and it was advised that this was only available in respect of part of the Centre and did not include swimming.  It was advised that this was due to logistical difficulties because of the layout of the Centre.

Implementation of the Get Active Strategy and the recruitment into two vacant Sports Development posts was queried.  It was advised that recruitment to the posts would be contained within existing budgets and that the arrangements for such recruitment were contained within the Service Agreement between Liberty Leisure and the Council.  Notwithstanding this, it was stated that the Council’s nominee on the Liberty Leisure Board should have the opportunity to share the Committee’s views with the Board before decisions were made.

To report progress against outcome targets identified in the Environment Business Plan, linked to Corporate Plan priorities and objectives, and to provide an update as to the latest key performance indicators for the Environment.

The Committee noted the progress made in achieving the Business Plan for Environment and the current Key Performance Indicators for 2018/19.

Progress on the Review of the Carbon Management Plan was queried further to the redundancy of the Energy Manager.  The Interim Strategic Director confirmed that the review was being successfully delivered as part of other work streams.

The recycling of plastics and the necessity for education on the issue to begin in schools was discussed.  The Head of Environment confirmed that presentations were undertaken in schools as part of the Clean and Green approach.  It was stated that the topic of single use plastics had been the subject of a previous committee report and that a further report would be brought back to Committee on the subject.  In addition, the government was due to publish its new Waste and Resources Strategy.

To consider items for inclusion in the Work Programme for future meetings.

The Committee considered the Work Programme. 

RESOLVED that the Work Programme be approved.