Agenda and minutes

An apology for absence was received on behalf of Councillor Peter Goody.

We have agreed the Minutes of our meeting held on 17 March 2008.  However, with regard to Minute 1556, we have aired and discussed concerns that this private and confidential minute did not fully reflect the tone of the meeting.

Received and noted the Assistant Executive Director’s report and appendices.  We have received commentary on tonnage data and contract payments, site operations, contract monitoring, recycling and composting performance and diversion from landfill. 

Issues to note were that overall waste levels were slightly lower than projected in the 2007/08 Annual Budget & Service Delivery Plan, recycling and composting performance was down on the projected figure averaging 16.5%. Diversion from landfill was better than projected at 44.2%.

The Assistant Executive Director responded to questions from one Member regarding the percentage of glass included in the improved recycling performance figure and what had caused the shortfall in Bio-mrf recycling.

The report sets out the Landfill Allowance Trading Scheme position, revised contingency sums and predicted an under-spend for the year and advised that any revenue under-spend and unutilised contingency for the year would be added back Revenue Reserves at year end.

Members are asked to agree the inclusion of an additional meeting into the 2008/09 calendar of meetings, to be held on Monday 21 July 2008 at 1.00 pm at the Civic Centre, Dagenham.

We have agreed that an additional meeting be held on 21 July 2008 at the Civic Centre, Dagenham to review the Contractor’s performance for the first quarter.

The Executive Director provided an update on appointments to the London Councils.

We have resolved to exclude the public and press from the remainder of the meeting by reason of the nature of the business to be transacted that included the detailed financial proposals of Shanks.east london in respect of the IWMS Contract and the financial or business affairs of other persons, which are exempt from publication by virtue of paragraph 3 of Part I of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 as amended.

We have noted Councillor Weinberg’s declaration of a non prejudicial interest in this item.

We have received the Executive Director’s interim report and appendices.  He has provided a full commentary on the framework recycling model, current recycling trials arrangements (in particular contamination and survival bags), an improved and co-ordinated communications strategy and priorities in sustainable waste management.  We have discussed at length the problems and ways in which poor recycling performance can be addressed. 

We find this to be an important piece of work that makes us take a critical look at ourselves. 

We have noted the ongoing trials to identify performance improvements, the likely need for a partnership approach to any major developments in the future and that further reports will be put forward to include financial and other implications of any proposals.

We have received the Executive Director’s report and appendix and commentary on proposals to achieve part of our Closed Landfill Strategy.  We have discussed and agreed that negotiations should commence and the funding position and also to receive a progress report at our meeting in June.

One Havering Member asked if anything was being done to obtain a refund of Landfill taxes.  Officers responded that the Boroughs, in conjunction with the London Councils were lobbying the Government.