To receive reports about and receive questions and answers on the business of any joint arrangements or external organisations.

Councillor K Payne had attended the Hanson Liaison Committee on 1^st December 2021 and gave a brief update to Council:

• Kevin Burton from the Environment Agency was in attendance.
• Only 1 noise complaint had been received in the last quarter and was being investigated.
• Emissions were all well below permissible levels.
• An update was given on the Quarry Restoration project which was planned through until 2026 and was still on target. The Liaison Committee would be invited to see some of the works in Spring 2022.
• Hanson Cement had undertaken a thorough review of the fire which occurred in July 2021. It was caused by an electrical fault in the clinker system. As a result of the review temperature monitoring equipment had been installed, thermal imaging was now present, and a fire suppression would be installed during the annual plant shut down in January and February 2022.
• The Environment Agency report was positive, and they had fast tracked Hanson’s application for a license to use Hydrogen generated on site by water. Councillor Payne would give an update on the level of reduction after the next Committee meeting.

Councillor O Hemsley attended the monthly Unitary Council’s Network meeting and gave a brief update to Council:

• A discussion took place regarding the UASC. 10% of the arrivals were children.
• Rutland had represented 25% of the children in care of the UASC.

Councillor Hemsley attended the Rural Services Network AGM and gave a brief update to Council:

• Attendance had risen from 60+ to 420+ when switched to virtual and also generated savings of £25,000. By taking the decision to continue with virtual meetings.
• Discussions took place around the change in direction of Mr Gove becoming Secretary of State, halting the Planning White Paper, a review of housing numbers, a refresh of the levelling up agenda, Council’s not being funded to deliver net zero carbon agenda and a discussion around carbon credits and how this could bring investment into an area.

Councillor Hemsley attended the East Midland’s Council meeting and gave a brief update to Council:

·       Discussions took place around County deals and the LEP review. The thought was that the work of the LEP would be brought back into accountable bodies i.e., Local Councils. Councillor Hemsley would keep the Council informed.

·       Devolution was discussed and more broadly the investment into the rail network

Councillor Hemsley attended the Local Enterprise Partnership Board meeting and gave a brief update to Council:

·       Discussions took place around the future of the LEP’s, and the launch of the UK fo

od value and work being undertaken with schools and businesses.

Councillor Hemsley had been in discussions with the Lincolnshire Chamber of Trade regarding a Rutland Chamber of Trade.

Councillor E Baines updated the Council on the Welland Partnership:

·       The partnership had an uncertain future due to funding difficulties, the Project Officer had been appointed to a new position and the Chairman had moved to another County.

·       A new Chairman had been appointed and an advert for a new Project Officer would be advertised imminently.

·       Councillor Baines explained the possibilities of merging with the Nene Partnership but this being larger would have an impact on the interests of the Welland Partnership.

·       Councillor Baines advised Members on the figures showing the state of Rutland rivers. 21% of water courses were rated bad, 33% were rated moderate, 43% above moderate and 3% were rated good. The maps did highlight that Rutland was responsible for the poor quality.

·       The Gwash Adoptive Management Scheme would be running from 2022 to 2024 which would deal with bio diversity and climate change. This would cost £300,000 but would be funded by Anglian Water.