Agenda item

The Report of the Head of Human Resources and Organisational Development.

The Organisation Development Team Leader presented the report.

A member noted that it was good to see footfall in the Newmarket had increased, despite the current economic climate.

A member commented that he had been disappointed to see that tarot reading had been included in the programme of events at the Newmarket and that he felt the food on offer there had been generally unhealthy food, and that this did not sit well with the council’s Health and Wellbeing initiative. Officers responded that the tarot readings had been part of a wider programme of events, designed to satisfy a broad spectrum of customers. The views of members on this type of issue would be reported to the team organising events.  It was noted that traders are supporting the economy of the town. A member commented that on a recent visit to the market, both stall holders and staff  had been friendly and helpful and that overall the feedback he had received on the day had been positive.

Officers agreed that it would be a good idea to promote healthy eating more readily and also agreed that this would be something they would look to do in future, but highlighted that in terms of the Health and Wellbeing agenda, by acting as a social hub for events such as “Knit and Natter” and the activities put on for children that this would promote wellbeing in terms of mental health. It was also noted that a more traditional market would be instated in the town soon when the outdoor market space was ready.

A member raised concerns about the £1m underspend in housing repairs and wished to know how the underspend had happened given that so many repairs were required and also noted that less than half of the planned capital projects had been delivered. Officers replied that there hadn’t been the opportunity to undertake housing repairs during the Covid 19 pandemic and that this had contributed to the underspend. With regard to the capital projects not being delivered, officers noted that some projects had slipped and been reprofiled to future years. Members were also referred to the Housing repairs item elsewhere on the agenda.

A member asked if the £3.5 million underspend from the HRA Net Zero Budget would be carried forward and officers confirmed that the HRA capital programme, including Net Zero Budget, had been fully reviewed and reset as part of the Budget process for 2023/24. Any carry forward requests from 2022/23 would be considered by Cabinet at the end of the financial year.

A member requested an update on the Marlborough Square project and officers confirmed that the Section 278 approval had been received and that a revised price for materials was expected by the end of March 2023, at which point a decision could be made on whether to wait or order them earlier.

A member asked whether the Freeport had been approved yet and officers advised that it still needed to be considered by Government and had therefore not yet been approved.

A member questioned why only 600 jobs had been achieved against a target of 1,000 and suggested that this could be due to an increase of robotics replacing manual labour. However an officer highlighted that the authority could not influence technological changes in industry and that robotics led to higher paid, more skilled jobs in terms of programmers and repairs.

A member raised concerns that there had been no increase on council owned housing in terms of achieving net zero carbon but officers advised that this had been because it was not a rolling target and that the target had been achieved as set out in the Corporate Delivery Plan.

A member asked whether there would be solar panels installed on the leisure centres and officers replied that the new leisure centre already had solar panels and that a feasibility study was being carried out as to the suitability of solar panels for Ashby leisure centre, in the hope of rolling this out next year.

A member asked about the plans for Wolds Court in Moira and was advised that it was under consideration whether to enlarge the footprint however this was currently out to spec with a design consultant. It was anticipated that this would arise for consideration by Planning at the end of next year.

A member asked what could be done about the litter on the A42 and officers advised that the council already arranges a litter pick in the laybys. A debate was had regarding the merits of schemes whereby plastic returns are rewarded with a cash incentive or money off vouchers for shopping.

A member felt that following bin collections, there was an unacceptable amount of waste left in the street which had blown around and not been picked up. Officers advised that if used properly, recycling receptacles should not shed waste but noted that the service collection was being reviewed and that feedback from customers who had used the drawer system had been positive.

A member stated that they would like to see more recycling bins in town however officers informed the meeting that people don’t use them in the way that they are intended and they invariably end up filled with mixed waste.

RESOLVED THAT:

The report be noted and comments be provided for consideration by Cabinet at its meeting on 28 March 2023.