Issue - meetings

Having regard to the views expressed by the Proper Officer regarding the public interest test, that on balance the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighed the public interest in disclosing the information and that the report should be exempt.

RESOLVED that the public be excluded whilst this item of business is transacted as it is likely there would be a disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 14, Part 1, Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act, 1972 (as amended).

Consideration was given to report of the Head of Community Services.

The Team Leader Street Scene presented the report which provided an update on progress related to the development of a new Council Depot and proposed suitable candidate sites to be explored as part of the next stage, the development of an Outline Business Case (OBC).

The Officer then went through the report and highlighted points contained therein.  He confirmed that work on a number of activities had taken place to confirm the requirements for a new depot, which included exploring any recent examples of other councils relocating and building a new depot, and investigating any likely collaboration opportunities.  He then referred Members to the options for recommendation, namely Section 3.3 which outlined the preferred option of the Officers Working Group.

A discussion ensued when the Officer clarified points raised by Members in relation to potential alternative sites; electric vehicles and the infrastructure required; and the financial viability of the proposal.

In response to a question raised by a Member regarding the existing Central Depot, the Officer confirmed that a new site would provide an opportunity for expansion to provide for any future collaborative working arrangements.  He confirmed that all Members’ comments would be considered by the Officer Working Group.

The Committee AGREED to recommend that the report which contained information relation to the financial/business affairs of persons other than the Authority be accepted and:-

     i.        One of the four sites identified in section 3.2 of the report be approved to move forward to a business planning stage.

    ii.        WRAP be commissioned to undertake the business planning stage for the chosen site; and

  iii.        A further report be presented for consideration on the outcomes of the business plan.