Agenda and minutes

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In accordance with the Code of Conduct adopted by the City and County of Swansea, no interests were declared.

To approve and sign the minutes of the previous meeting(s) as a correct record.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Development Cabinet Advisory Committee held on 15 March, 2017, be approved and signed as a correct record.

The Chair referred to the recent site visit and stated that the shop had been extended.  He stated that Keith Coxon, Cleansing Manager, and Thomas Williams, Waste Minimisation Development Manager, would detail the operation of the shop and costings.

The Cleansing Manager and Re-cycling Officer reported that the expansion had resulted in an increase in sales and income.  There were currently 5 members of staff, 3 agency, 1 full time Council employee and 1 self employed (television technician).  2 members of staff work on a part-time basis, 2-3 days a week.

Interviews had taken place to appoint agency staff to 8 permanent positions.

9 staff were due to be appointed at Pipehouse Wharf.  18 agency staff would be employed within the next few weeks.  However, there would always be a requirement to retain a ‘pool’ of agency staff in order to cover periods of sickness etc.

A sensitive approach was taken in determining appropriate roles for individuals with special needs. 

It was the intention that 4 traineeships (similar to apprenticeships) be appointed for 9 months.  These would be offered training in all elements of waste management.  These traineeships would allow agency staff the opportunity to gain full time employment. 

In response to Member questions, Officers stated that:

·       The expansion had resulted in an increase in turnover to £130,000 with a profit of £43,000 in the last financial year.  The figure of £43,000 is the combined profit and landfill saving from the shop. The shop profit alone is £28,000.  The estimated landfill saving is £15,000.

·       The profit would be channelled into the waste management budget.

·       The operation of the shop had resulted in a saving of £15,000 in landfill charges.

·       Whilst the pricing policy had been streamlined, the purpose of the shop was to divert waste from landfill and provide a means for low income individuals to purchase items at an affordable price.

·       All electrical goods are tested and fit for purpose prior to sale.

·       Staff are experienced in determining appropriate prices and label items accordingly an hour before the shop opens to the public.

·       Valuable items are displayed for sale in a cabinet or auctioned on the Authority’s Ebay account.

·       There had been issues with individuals buying in bulk for the purpose of re-sale at car boot sales.

·       The availability of items for re-sale was fluid and could not be guaranteed.

·       The till itemises the number of items sold and provides a brief description and weight (so that it accurate measures could be made against recycling targets).

·       The layout of the shop had been altered to provide a more professional and manageable operation.

·       Work was ongoing with local charities regarding surplus stock.

·       The pricing of ornaments would be investigated.

·       The Shop had attracted a great deal of positive publicity and there had been encouraging feedback following visits by Welsh Government Officials, WLGA and other local authorities.

·       Storage containers are situated at the rear of the shop for any overflow stock.

·       All 5 amenity sites have containers for re-usable items.

·       The shop was in the process of being re-branded with a new name ‘tip treasures’, signage and directions.

·       The use of a third party to manage the shop had not been investigated further as it was felt that the shop had not reached its full potential.  Furthermore, the purpose of the shop is to provide affordable items to those members of the community who are living in poverty, commissioning a third party to manage the shop would dramatically change the pricing as they would inevitably be profit driven.

·       The self employed individual pays £100 per week and repairs TV’s (which would otherwise be placed in landfill) for re-sale at the shop.  The arrangement worked well and the public are drawn into the shop to buy refurbished TV’s and other items.

The Chair thanked the Officers for their informative presentation.

RESOLVED that the update be noted.

The Chair stated that the Group Leader Traffic & Highway Network Management had given apologies and the Cabinet Member for Environment and Transportation had failed to attend.

Committee Members expressed their disappointment and concern regarding lack of progress.

RESOLVED that the Chair progress with the Cabinet Member for Environment and Transportation.

There were no updates to report.

RESOLVED that:

1.     The Open Space Strategy be included on the work plan for consideration by Members in the next municipal year.

2.     The work plan be noted.