Issue - meetings

    Report by Corporate Director Alistair Cunningham.

Cllr Philip Whitehead presented the report which set out a phased approach for a review of the depot portfolio, which included a review of the financial implications.

Cllr Whitehead explained that the Council continued to have a significant requirement for operational depot facilities from which to deliver its services and in a large and rural county, the cost-effective delivery of operational services required multiple facilities, based on a geographical spread. The Council’s depot stock needed investment, as an increasing number of depot’s are no longer fit for purpose with escalating costs for maintenance, compliance, and energy consumption.

Action was necessary due to the risk of service failure in relation to the winter depots. The report proposed that a phased approach be adopted that delivered the short-term requirements needed to support the delivery of services, with a longer-term strategy developed.

The Cabinet noted that the proposal had been scrutinised by the Environment Select Committee, who supported the proposals contained in the report.

The Leader commented on the report and suggested that the review of the depot portfolio should be undertaken for the facilities required to deliver the service over the next 25 years, rather than a shorter timescale.  Cllr Whitehead confirmed that the review would take place over the next six months and a final report containing proposals would be considered by Cabinet in October 2019.

Resolved:

Reason for Decision:

The phased approach and additional capital is being sought to ensure that statutory services can continue to be delivered from the depot portfolio and that service delivery is not put at risk.