Councillor S. Little presented the report to Members, in doing so she explained Thurrock’s Voluntary Sector Corporate Grants Programme was an established and recognised source of funding for key, strategic voluntary sector partners supporting communities in Thurrock.

She continued by commending the different groups on the work they completed within the borough and explained the 3 year funding term was welcomed as it enabled the voluntary groups to plan ahead.

Councillor Gledhill welcomed the report and mentioned previous issues had impacted on the voluntary sector, however it pleasing to see an outcome which was agreeable by all parties.

RESOLVED:

1.    That the administration of the Voluntary Sector Corporate Grants Programme continues with Thurrock CVS from April 2018 – March 2021 with the option to extend by one year if required.

2.    That the process reflects the criteria set out in Section 3.

3.    To seek delegated authority for new funding agreements from 2018 – 2021 to be agreed by the Accountable Director for Adults, Housing and Health in consultation with the Portfolio Holder.

Reason for Decision – as stated in the report

This decision is subject to call-in

Councillor Watkins, Portfolio Holder Environment, reported that Thurrock Council operated a single Household Waste and Recycling Centre at Linford.  The site was currently operating significantly over capacity and the layout and infrastructure was not in keeping with modern sites.

He notified Members that an independent survey undertaken in June suggested there was a significant degree of commercial waste abuse on-site which was jeopardising the site’s environmental permit and creating significant, avoidable waste disposal costs. The Portfolio Holder further explained the introduction of Commercial Permits and advised Members a total number of permitted visits would be allowed within a 12 month period, this would allow visits the site to deposit waste 12 times per year.

The Portfolio Holder for Finance welcomed the report and the redesign of the waste and recycling centre. He continued that levelling off the site would improve the facilities for residents and congratulated the team on their customer service.

Councillor Watkins commented on the redesign principles, highlighting the increase in recycling and re-use facilities on-site would allow for greater opportunities for partnership with local re-use community groups which would then enable a greater number of items such as furniture, bicycles and electrical goods to be re-used.

Members commented that local businesses were likely to welcome the commercial vehicles permit scheme, as this showed investment in the site and better facilities offered.

RESOLVED:

1.    To note the comments of Cleaner Greener Safer Overview Scrutiny.  The reports were in two parts Redevelopment of the Site (12th October 2017) and Commercial Vehicle Access Policy (15th November 2017).

2.    To delegate authority to the Director of Environment and Highways in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Environment to implement a permit based system for site access for Commercial Vehicles and Vehicles towing trailers at the HWRC.

3.    To delegate authority to the Director of Environment and Highways in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Environment to undertake Planning Application for the redevelopment of the HWRC Linford, on its current Buckingham Hill site in line with the design principles detailed in 5.3.

4.    That Cabinet agree to increase the budget available by £1m to enable the planned works to include changes regarding Trade Waste, based on cost savings from waste disposal and income meeting the increased cost of capital.

5.    Subject to planning approval, Cabinet agree to delegate authority to the Director of Environment and Highways in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Environment and the Director of Finance and IT for the procurement of contracts for the redevelopment of the Household Waste and Recycling Centre.

Reason for Decision – as stated in the report

This decision is subject to call-in

Councillor Halden, Portfolio Holder for Education and Health, addressed Members explaining the new strategic approach to improving the diagnosis and management of patients with long term health conditions in Primary Care that had been developed jointly with partners in the NHS. 

He continued to advise Members that primary care within the borough was not just about GP numbers. He compared the easy framework offered by Ofsted for primary schools as a framework required for primary care.

The Portfolio Holder for Education and Health stated the integrated medical centres across the borough not only drove improvement but also gave other options for Accident and Emergency services at Basildon hospital.

It was discussed that a scorecard system would be provided to each GP surgery, this would detail any actions required for improvement and would be undertaken by the public health team and Thurrock CCG. Once improvements were made and kept, additional funding from the Better Care Fund would be a possibility.

Councillor Gledhill thanked Councillor Halden for the report and commended the good work as set out at 3.10 of the report.

RESOLVED:

1.    That Cabinet approves this new strategic programme of performance improvement and support for primary care with linked demand management for hospital and adult social care services, as detailed within the paper.

Reason for Decision – as stated in the report

This decision is subject to call-in

Councillor Hebb presented the report to the Cabinet explaining that the key message from the report was that in the last 6 months the finance team had enabled £2.5 million to be put back into the General Fund, through good treasury management.

The Leader commended the Portfolio Holder of Finance on the report and stated it was pleasing to see the Council was able to return funds to the General Fund.

RESOLVED that Cabinet:

1.    Commented on the report on Treasury Management activity as at month 6 in 2017/18.

Reason for Decision – as stated in the report

This decision is subject to call-in

The Portfolio Holder for Children’s and Adult’s Social Care addressed Cabinet  explaining the report proposed that consideration be given to the development of a new residential care facility in South Ockendon, with accommodation and services fit for the 21st Century. 

Councillor Halden welcomed the report stating these investments were encouraging to see and would support elderly residents for years to come. He continued by further commenting that the Council was working with NHS partners to support and develop the new model of residential care for Thurrock residents.

RESOLVED that Cabinet:

1.    Approves the strategy outlined in this report for the development of a new residential care facility, fit for the 21st Century, on the Whiteacre / Dilkes Wood sites, in conjunction with Health partners;

2.    Agrees that a further report, with detailed funding and development proposals for the construction of the new facility, together with the associated procurement proposals, should be brought to Cabinet for approval in 2018.

Reason for Decision – as stated in the report

This decision is subject to call-in