Agenda and minutes

No declarations of interest were received.

No apologies for absence were received.

5.05pm – report attached

The Environmental Services Manager presented an overview of the current rates of recycling in the borough to the committee. It was heard that the volume of waste collected for recycling had increased during the pandemic however the residual waste had increased also. The aim was to reduce the amount of general waste collected.

In an ordinary year, mixed dry recycling quantities would see a spike in December due to cardboard and packaging from deliveries, but this happened in November of 2020. Levels of cardboard and packaging was higher on average throughout the lockdown periods. The government national target for recycling is 50% of household waste and Chesterfield achieved 44.1% in 2019.

The Environmental Health Manager confirmed that officers worked closely with Bolsover District Council and North East Derbyshire District Council and compared differing methods of waste collection and disposal.

The Cabinet member for Health and Wellbeing acknowledged that there was still work to be done on domestic recycling. Chesterfield has a high number of flats and maisonettes and it was noted that a key focus would be the adequate provision for those residents to recycle and take ownership of their waste. The committee was advised that more public engagement was required and a strategy was under development, of which the Council’s Climate Change Action Plan and organisations like Plastic Free Chesterfield were key parts. Many methods of communication would be necessary to deliver a clear message to residents and preferably tailored to the different wards and areas of the borough.

RESOLVED –

1.      That the report be noted.

2.      That a further update be provided in six months time.

5.35pm

a)   Skills Scrutiny Project Group – Schedule attached

b)   Use of Former Queen’s Park Sports Centre Project Group – Schedule attached

c)    Scrutiny Committee Recommendations – Implementation
Monitoring Schedule attached

The Committee received an update from the Senior Economic Development Officer on the Skills Scrutiny Project recommendations that were presented to Cabinet 26^th February, 2019. Nine recommendations were made and the progress on each was outlined as per the report.

The Service Director for Economic Development highlighted the amount of work that had gone into this plan over the last year despite the challenges that had been faced in terms of the pandemic. It was acknowledged that there would be further challenges ahead, such as the digital divide, but COVID-19 had encouraged a more positive attitude towards the use of technology and there was an opportunity to upskill residents in this area.

Discussion took place around Chesterfield’s continuous development as an Apprentice Town and the variety of apprenticeships offered which were described as being across a wide range of disciplines. A question was asked regarding the Council’s own employees that had completed apprenticeships as an opportunity to upskill and whether the staff then decided to stay with the organisation. It was explained that as the qualifications were usually undertaken as part of succession planning and career development that the majority do stay.

The officer was thanked for an excellent report and the hard work of all the team involved.

The Committee considered the Scrutiny progress monitoring report on the future use of Queen’s Park Sports Centre site in addition to the Scrutiny recommendations monitoring schedule.

RESOLVED -

1.   That the Scrutiny monitoring schedule be noted.

2.   That the Scrutiny progress monitoring report on the future use of Queen’s Park Sports Centre site be noted.

6.05pm - The latest version of the Forward Plan of Key Decisions is available via the link below:

Forward Plan

The Forward Plan for the four-month period 1 February, 2021 to 31 May, 2021 was presented for information.

RESOLVED –

That the Forward Plan be noted.

6.10pm – Enterprise and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee work programme for 2020/21 attached

The 2020/21 Work Programme for the Enterprise and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee was reported for information.

RESOLVED –

1.      That the work programme be noted.

6.15pm – Draft minutes of the Enterprise and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee held on 3^rd December, 2020 attached

RESOLVED –

The Minutes of the meeting of the Enterprise and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee held on 3 December, 2020 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.