No declarations of interest were received.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Brunt, Davenport and Diouf.

RESOLVED -

That the Minutes of the meeting of the Joint Cabinet and Employment and General Committee of 20 February, 2018 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

To move “That under Regulation 21(1)(b) of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements)(Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2000, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in the following Paragraph of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972.”

Paragraph 3 – On the grounds that it contains information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

RESOLVED -

That under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

*RESOLVED –

1.   That up to 6 additional seasonal staff be added to the Environmental Services establishment to cover horticultural works during the peak season of March – September.

2.   That the Assistant Director - Commercial Services be granted delegated authority to recruit to the positions and to further positions for the next three years.

REASONS FOR DECISION

1.    To be able to properly resource the recently awarded works for the Council’s Garden Assistance Scheme.

2.    To provide additional capacity to the service during a ‘peak’ time of service activity.

The Assistant Director – Commercial Services submitted a report seeking approval to appoint up to 6 additional seasonal staff as part of the Environmental Services establishment to cover horticultural works during the peak season of March - September.

Environmental Services underwent a restructure in November 2016 and it was highlighted that there were opportunities to operate the service on a more commercial basis through a reduction of external expenditure on sub-contractors and increasing the amount of income being generated.

The Arboriculture Service had been insourced during Autumn 2018 to reduce reliance on sub-contractors and to provide additional service capacity to operate on a commercial basis. The service had successfully won the tender for the Council’s Garden Assistance Scheme and additional staff would be required from March – September to assist in the delivery of the scheme.

Environmental Services had been preparing for the new growing season and aimed to offer an improved service from the previous year. Improvements had been made through reviewing working practices, increased quality inspections and further involvement of Ward Members to improve accountability.

Additional seasonal staff would be required to provide the extra capacity required to operate the service in the peak summer growing period.

The report included details of the financial implications and noted that there would be sufficient budget available to fund the additional positions.

*RESOLVED –

1.   That up to 6 additional seasonal staff be added to the Environmental Services establishment to cover horticultural works during the peak season of March – September.

2.   That the Assistant Director – Commercial Services be granted delegated authority to recruit to the positions and to further positions for the next three years.

REASONS FOR DECISION

1.   To be able to properly resource the recently awarded works to for the Council’s Garden Assistance Scheme.

2.   To provide additional capacity to the service during a ‘peak’ time of service activity.