Agenda, decisions and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Lynn Chesterman.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 7 March 2023 (previously circulated).

The minutes of the meeting held on 7 March 2023 were approved as a correct record.

Up to thirty minutes will be made available for questions from members of the public on issues relating to the work of the Cabinet and to receive any petitions.

There we no questions from members of the public.

Report of the Executive Director (Finance and Transformation) on the status of actions agreed at the last Cabinet meeting.

The Actions Status Report was noted.

There were no items of urgent business to consider.

To note declarations of Members’ disclosable pecuniary interests, non-disclosable pecuniary interests and non-pecuniary interests in respect of items on the Agenda.

Councillor Zukowoskyj declared a non-pecuniary interest as a Member of Hertfordshire County Council.

To consider the following items for decision in the current Forward Plan:-

The following items were considered for decision in the current Forward Plan:

Report of the Service Director (Property Maintenance and Climate Change) on the Extension of Gas Maintenance Contracts.

Cabinet agreed to extend the following contracts are extended by 2 years with effect from 1st April 2024:

1.)   Gas Maintenance (North) – Aaron Services Limited

2.)   Gas Maintenance (South) - British Gas Social Housing Limited (trading as PH Jones)

3.)   Third Party Gas Audit Contract - Gas Advisory Services Limited (trading as Phoenix Compliancy Management)

Gas Maintenance Contracts (Forward Plan Reference FP1176)

The report requests the extension of gas maintenance contracts for two years from 1^st April 2024

Under this item, Councillor Kingsbury asked for confirmation that the Cabinet were content to extend the gas maintenance contract for PH Jones as a number of residents had raised concerns around their service during the winter. The Leader of Council confirmed that the key performance indicators and compliance was being delivered effectively by PH Jones. It was noted that concerns raised were being addressed by PH Jones which the Council would continue to monitor.

ACTION: Additional details of the key performance indicators for the two gas servies to be shared with Councillor Kingsbury following discussions with the relevant Cabinet Member.

1)       The Decision Taken

RESOLVED:

(unanimous)

Cabinet agreed to extend the following contracts for two years with effect from 1^st April 2024:

1.     Gas Maintenance (North) – Aaron Services Limited

2.     Gas Maintenance (South) - British Gas Social Housing Limited (trading as PH

Jones)

3.     Third Party Gas Audit Contract - Gas Advisory Services Limited (trading as

Phoenix Compliancy Management)

2)     Reasons for the Decision

On 8th January 2019 Cabinet agreed to award gas related contracts to Aaron Services, British Gas Social Housing Limited and Gas Advisory Services for an initial period of 5 years, with the option to extend for a period of up to 4 years in a minimum of 12 months increments. The contracts have generally performed well, and it was considered that it is in the best interests of the council to extend these contracts.

Report of the Service Director (Resident and Neighbourhood) on the Extension of Sale of Newspaper contract.

Cabinet agreed to extend the contract with Palm Recycling Limited for one year (from 1st July 2023 to 31st May 2024).

Recovered Newsprint Contract (Forward Plan Reference FP1177)

The report requested an extension to the contract with Palm Recycling Limited.

1)     The Decision Taken

RESOLVED:

(unanimous)

Cabinet agreed to extend the contract with Palm Recycling Limited for one year for one year from 1^st July 2023 to 31^st May 2024.

2)     Reasons for the Decision

In January 2021, Cabinet agreed to award a contract to Palm Recycling Limited for the processing of recovered newsprint. This Council is the Lead Authority for the Herts paper consortium, and its members include:

·        Broxbourne Borough Council

·        Chelmsford City Council

·        East Herts District Council

·        Hertsmere Borough Council

·        North Herts District Council

·        Stevenage Borough Council

·        Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council

Members of the consortium collect paper from residents and then sells this material for reprocessing. The majority of the consortium members collect paper separated (known as News and Pams), whilst Broxbourne and Stevenage (and a very small amount from this council from banks) collect mixed paper and card. There is different pricing for these types of paper as the separation process is more onerous.

The pricing is based on the paper indices, with an additional uplift per tonne and a minimum price. Welwyn Hatfield BC hold the contract with Palm Recycling Limited and have an SLA with the other members of the consortium, enabling them to call off the contract.

All members of the consortium are happy with the performance of the Contractor and are receiving good levels of income.

To appoint Cabinet Panels, Committees and Boards for 2023/24.

The Cabinet agreed the appointments to Cabinet Panels, Committees and Boards for 2023-24.

The Cabinet received the report of the Assistant Director (Legal and Governance)

RESOLVED:

The Cabinet agreed the appointments to Cabinet Panels, Committees and Boards for 2023-24.

To appoint representatives to executive outside bodies for 2023/24.

The Cabinet agreed the appointments of representatives to executive outside bodies for 2022/23.

The Cabinet received the nominations to representatives to the executive outside bodies for 2022/23.

RESOLVED:

The Cabinet agreed the appointments of representatives to executive outside bodies for 2022/23.

There were no items considered under this item.