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Maidstone Borough Council

Communities Overview & Scrutiny Committee

Tuesday 12 July 2011

‘Making Waste Work for Maidstone’ Review

Report of: Overview & Scrutiny Officer

1.          Introduction

1.1     At the meeting on 14 June 2011 Members evaluated the Scoping      document prepared by the Scrutiny Officer for the ‘Making Waste   Work for Maidstone’ review, making suggestions and amendments         to the document.

1.2       The Committee resolved that:

a)   Steve Goulette, Assistant Director Environment & Regulatory should be contacted regarding an invitation to co-opt officers to the Committee for the purpose of the waste review;

b)   A representative from Defra should be invited as a witness to inform the Committee;

c)   Background information on Dr Jane Beasley should be provided to the Committee so an informed decision could be made on her suitability as an expert witness;

d)   A public meeting held in the Business Community at either the Federation of Small Businesses or the Marden Business Forum should be added to the scope.  The meeting should provide an open forum for businesses;

e)   The Federation of Small Businesses should be added to the witnesses already suggested;

f)    A visit to the Incinerator and Blaise Farm should be added to the scope as site visits to be organised;

g)   The ‘invitation to tender’ document should be circulated to all Members; and

h)   The briefing note provided should be circulated to absent Members and the updated scope should be circulated to all Members, including Substitute Members present.

 2.     Recommendation

2.1    That Members discuss the scoping document that has been      prepared focusing on:

·         The objectives and desired outcomes of the review;

·         The witnesses required;

·         The methods used to seek evidence e.g. site visits, workshops; and

·         The suggested co-optees and expert witnesses

          And agree a staring point for the review.

3.      Reasons for Recommendation

3.1    At their meeting on 14 June 2011 the majority of the Committee Members present were Substitute Members.  Members should take this opportunity to evaluate recommendations (and responses where applicable) made at that meeting and the areas of the scope highlighted at 2.1 in this report.

3.2    Since the last meeting the Chairman and Scrutiny Officer have had the opportunity to meet with the Assistant Director Environment & Regulatory Services, Steve Goulette to discuss review and establish the best way for the Committee to make a valuable input into the Tendering Strategy - Waste and recycling contract form 2013 which is due to go to Cabinet on 10 August 2011.

4.      Impact on Corporate Objectives

4.1     The Committee will consider reports that deliver against the     following Council priorities:

·         ‘Corporate and Customer Excellence’ and ‘For Maidstone to be a decent place to live.’

4.2     The Strategic Plan sets the Council’s key objectives for the medium   term and has a range of objectives which support the delivery of         the Council’s priorities.  Actions to deliver these key objectives may      therefore include work that the Committee will consider over the       next year.