To answer questions submitted by Councillors under Standing Order No. 11(2)
Minutes:
a) Question from Councillor Richard Mallender to Councillor Upton.
“Following councillors' recent visit to the Materials Recovery Facility at Mansfield it became clear that current guidelines issued to residents are insufficient to provide clear direction on the type and nature of materials that can be recycled. Will the councillor undertake to improve and clarify the information Rushcliffe Borough Council provides to residents such that our recycling rates can be substantially improved?”
In response to the question, Councillor Upton stated that the Council had recently been working with all the other Nottinghamshire districts, the County Council and Veolia to support the development of enhanced information and guidance on materials that could be recycled linked to the input specification of Material Recycling Facility and noted that this information would be used in any future engagement work.
Supplementary question
Councillor Richard Mallender asked that as the end of the Nottinghamshire County Council contract with Veolia was not until 2032 would the Council be working with other districts to try and get the input specification changed or to seek additional recycling provision.
Councillor Upton advised that a letter had been sent to Nottinghamshire County Council this week regarding the matter.
b) Question from Councillor Sue Mallender to Councillor Upton.
“Will the councillor please update council on the progress made to date on reducing single use plastic within the borough council and by our partner organisations?”
In response to the question, Councillor Upton stated that an updated report and action plan on the successful work of the Single Plastic Working Group had been provided to the Community Development Scrutiny Group on 18 September 2018.
Supplementary question
Councillor Sue Mallender asked as there were very few places in Rushcliffe included on the refill app could the Council work with local businesses to encourage them to sign up to such apps, and also whether a ban on non-biodegradable confetti on Council property could be considered.
In response to the question, Councillor Upton stated that these areas of concern were currently being considered.
c) Question from Councillor Sue Mallender to Councillor Upton.
“In view of the need to increase recycling rates within the borough will the councillor commit to seeking new locations for bring-sites for glass recycling?”
In response to the question, Councillor Upton stated the Council was always open to working with key stakeholders to develop bring sites in appropriate and sustainable locations and that currently the Council were exploring an option for the Hook Car Park in Lady Bay.
There was no supplementary question.
d) Question from Councillor Hull to Councillor Upton.
“In view of what we learnt at the MRF, will the Council make representations to the Government to bring about legislation requiring manufacturers to simplify the number of types of food packaging that is recyclable?”
In response to the question, Councillor Upton stated that in March this year the Council coordinated a combined response from the Nottinghamshire Joint Waste Management Committee to the Governments consultation on ‘’tackling the plastic problem’. This included specific questions regarding the opportunity for manufacturers to do more to reduce and simplify current food packaging arrangements. The Council is also a member of LARAC (Local Authority Recycling Advisory Committee) and also RECOUP (Recycling of Used Plastics) which are national organisations aiming to influence central government decision making on recycling.
Supplementary question
Councillor Hull asked that if as it appears, the MRF is not able to change and recycle more types of plastic food packaging waste before the end of their contract and as RBC is a customer of MRF, will the Cabinet have a say in the County Council’s decision-making process?
In response to the question, Councillor Upton stated that Council had a strong record of accomplishment of challenging the input specification of the MRF through the Joint Waste Management Committee, however any decisions to change the input specification ultimately rested with the County Council, as the Waste Disposal Authority, and their contractual arrangements with Veolia.
e) Question from Councillor Edwards to Councillor Mason.
“It is now 3 years since Council approved that the proceeds of the sale of the Art Collection be used for art in the Borough and more than 2 years since Cabinet approved the sum of £25,000 for a sculptured seat outside the Arena. Why is it taking so long for this work to be completed?”
In response, Councillor Mason advised the agreement that the proceeds of the Borough Art Collection could be used to commission a sculpture outside the new Rushcliffe Arena was discussed at the Community Development Group on the 23 August 2016. Councillor Mason advised that options to create a bespoke seating sculpture have been considered, however when the detailed designs were received it had been considered that the design was not appropriate for the proposed location. Councillor Mason acknowledged this had taken some time but emphasised that it was more important to get it right rather than spend the money in haste. It was noted that the capital monies totalling £25,000 (£15,000 from the art collection sale and a further £10,000 from the Rushcliffe Arena project) had been protected in the Council’s capital programme and Councillor Mason advised that she was open to suggestions for a potential solution and for the Community Development Group to reconsider the way forward.
Supplementary question
Councillor Edwards asked if a timescale could be given for a completion of the project.
In response to the question Councillor Mason advised that were no set timescales and that the matter should be considered further by the Community Development Group.
f) Question from Councillor Edwards to Councillor Robinson.
"In considering the County Council's plans for the creation of a unitary council or councils, what are the Leader's "red lines" to protect Rushcliffe's residents and services?"
In response Councillor Robinson advised that it was not relevant or possible to define red lines at the current time. Councillor Robinson advised that the Council was committed to entering a dialogue in respect of reorganisation with any Upper Tier Authority, as agreed within the terms of motion passed by this Council on 7 December 2017. Councillor Robinson advised that as Leader he would expect any business case put forward to address four key issues for Rushcliffe residents that were maintained or improved local service delivery, maintained or improved local value for money, real and tangible cost savings without affecting points one and two and provision of equivalent or stronger strategic and local leadership to support future growth.
Supplementary question
Councillor Edwards asked was it not the case that Nottinghamshire County Council wanted to take advantage of Rushcliffe’s positive financial position.
In response, Councillor Robinson advised that that was a question for the Leader of Nottinghamshire County Council.