Agenda item

                 Report by Executive Director Alistair Cunningham OBE.

Cllr Ian Blair-Pilling, Cabinet Member for IT, Digitalisation and Operational Assets introduced the report which set out the strategic direction for the depot review, which included an update on the first phase of that review, detail of the projected service need and objectives for Phase 2.

Cllr Blair-Pilling referred to the objectives detailed in the report for Phase 2 and emphasised that works to be undertaken at the depots would result in a reduction of the Council’s carbon footprint. He indicated that the scope of the review would be enhanced with the inclusion of a review of Household Recycling Centres in specific locations.

Colin Gale asked for further information about the proposed review of Household Recycling Centres as indicated in the report.  The Leader confirmed that a future Depot Strategy would contain the detail requested and this would be available in 6 to 12 months.

In response to questions from Cllr Ian Thorn about the potential income from the sites and the scrutiny process, Cllr Blair-Pilling reported that the income from sites was still to be determined.  The Leader explained that the detail contained in the report referred to maintenance works being undertaken at a number of depots to comply with Environment Agency licences, whilst a Depot Strategy was being prepared. Cllr Bob Jones MBE confirmed that the Environment Select Committee would have involvement in the preparation of the Strategy prior to its consideration at a future Cabinet meeting.

In response to questions from Cllr Jon Hubbard about, proposals for the number of depots, vehicle movements and potential increases in carbon footprint, Cllr Blair-Pilling explained that the proposals for Phase 1 would result in a decrease in the number of operational depots from 12 to 10. Vehicle movements would be kept to a minimum as the depots are located throughout the county to enable efficient delivery of services, reasonable response times and minimised distances travelled to deliver services.

The Leader requested that any proposals to close a Salt Store, for example Semington, that the salt stock is finished before the Store is closed rather than the salt stock being transferred to another Store.    

Resolved:

1.    To note the progress on phase one of the depot review.

2.    To note the service demands and agree these should form the basis of the future solution for the depot portfolio.

3.    To agree that the objectives of the Phased approach.

4.    To agreethe overall strategic approach of identifying sites in the north and south of the County, as part of Phase 2.

5.    To agreed that the household recycling centres should be included in the rationalisation review, allowing for options to be considered in a wider context.

6.    To agreed that the waste transfer station solutions should be considered, as part of Phase 2.

7.    To agree to an additional budget allocation of £3.500m for new projects.

Reason for decision:

To establish the implementation of the strategic depot review so as to facilitate the optimum use of Council assets whilst balancing service needs and future operational market requirements.