Agenda, decisions and minutes

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Items
No. Item

44.

Question Time

To take any questions from members of the Public.

Minutes:

No questions were raised by members of the public.

45.

Declarations of Interest

Members are asked to declare the existence and nature of any Disclosable Pecuniary Interests in respect of any item of business to be considered at the meeting.

 

Minutes:

No declarations of interest were made on items on the Agenda.

46.

Minutes of Previous Meeting

The Committee is asked to confirm as a true record the Minutes of the meeting of the Environment and Safe Communities Committee held on 20 October 2020 (to follow) and to authorise the Chair to sign them.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Minutes of the previous Meeting of the Environment and Safe Communities Committee held on 20 October 2020 were agreed as a true record and the Committee authorised the Chairman to sign them.

47.

Enforcement against cars idling pdf icon PDF 88 KB

At its meeting on the 21 July 2020, Council agreed to refer the enforcement against cars idling motion on to this Committee for consideration.

Additional documents:

Decision:

Following consideration, it was resolved that the Committee:

(1)  Noted the Motion;

(2)  Agreed to continue with the current arrangements of the Climate Change Action Plan relating to car idling;

(3)  Noted there is no case to support the introduction of further Air Quality Management Areas in the Borough based on current known data.

 

 

Minutes:

At its meeting on the 21 July 2020, Council agreed to refer the enforcement against cars idling motion on to this Committee for consideration.

The Committee was addressed by Committee Member, Councillor Julie Morris.

The Committee received a verbal introduction from the Head of Environmental Services.

The following matters were raised by the Committee:

An amendment to Recommendation 3 was proposed by Councillor Julie Morris.This was to read:

(3)  Noted there is no case to support the introduction of further Air Quality Management Areas in the Borough based on current known data.

From:

(3)  Noted there is no case to support the introduction of further Air Quality Management Areas in the Borough.

The Committee agreed the amendment unanimously.

 

Following consideration, it was resolved that the Committee:

(1)  Noted the Motion;

(2)  Agreed to continue with the current arrangements of the Climate Change Action Plan relating to car idling;

(3)  Noted there is no case to support the introduction of further Air Quality Management Areas in the Borough based on current known data.

 

 

48.

Climate Change Action Plan Update pdf icon PDF 192 KB

Climate Change is now widely seen as one of the most prominent and urgent global issues. Recognising the Council’s key role in helping to address the serious and accelerating impact of Climate Change on the environment and people’s lives, full Council approved an ambitious Climate Change Action Plan at its meeting on 20 January 2020.

 

Additional documents:

Decision:

Following consideration, it was resolved that the Committee:

(1)  Considered and noted the progress made on the delivery of the Council’s Climate Change Action Plan and Single Use Plastic Policy over the past year, a period which coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic.

(2)  Noted and understand that any action that has been subject to delay remains part of the Action Plan and will be completed.

 

Minutes:

Climate Change is now widely seen as one of the most prominent and urgent global issues. Recognising the Council’s key role in helping to address the serious and accelerating impact of Climate Change on the environment and people’s lives, full Council approved an ambitious Climate Change Action Plan at its meeting on 20 January 2020.

There is a strong commitment to Climate Change across the Council and a number of key targets have been met this year. Adjustments have also been made to the Action Plan in order to accommodate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and enable progress to be made where this has been possible. A green recovery is a vital component of the Council’s recovery plans and work continues to take place to deliver the Climate Change Action Plan.

The Committee received a verbal introduction from the Environment Officer.

The following matters were raised by the Committee:

a)            Language: Members noted that some of the language used on public reports may be difficult for members of the public to comprehend, and asked that future reports use simplified terms as to be easier to understand.

b)           On-going works: Following a question from a Member, the Officer confirmed that any items that are not yet (or only partially) achieved will be followed up. The Local Plan will be updated with the new timetable of items.

Following consideration, it was resolved unanimously that the Committee:

(1)      Considered and noted the progress made on the delivery of the Council’s Climate Change Action Plan and Single Use Plastic Policy over the past year, a period which coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic.

(2)      Noted and understand that any action that has been subject to delay remains part of the Action Plan and will be completed.

 

49.

Capital Programme 2021/22 pdf icon PDF 72 KB

This report summarises the proposed 2021/22 capital programme. The Committee’s approval is sought for the programme to be submitted to Council in February 2021.

Additional documents:

Decision:

Following consideration, it was resolved that the Committee:

(1)  Agreed to submit the capital programme for 2021/22 as identified in section 4 of this report to the Council for approval on 16 February 2021.

 

 

Minutes:

The Committee received a report summarising the proposed 2021/22 capital programme. The Committee’s approval is sought for the programme to be submitted to Council in February 2021.

The Committee received a verbal introduction from the Senior Accountant.

The following matters were raised by the Committee:

a)            Lamppost replacement: Members noted the proposed lamppost replacement scheme. Following a question from a Member, the Officer noted that they would look into the possibility of incorporating electric vehicle charging-points within the lamppost replacement where possible.

Following consideration, it was resolved unanimously that the Committee:

(1)      Agreed to submit the capital programme for 2021/22 as identified in section 4 of this report to the Council for approval on 16 February 2021.

 

 

50.

Fees and Charges 2021/22 pdf icon PDF 84 KB

This report recommends fees and charges for which this Committee is responsible, with the new charges being effective from 1 April 2021.

Additional documents:

Decision:

Following consideration, it was resolved that the Committee:

(1)  Authorised the Chief Finance Officer to vary fees and charges for items generating income under £1,000 per annum and/or for one-off services or items;

And, subject to the approval of Council:

(2)  Agreed the fees and charges for 2021/22 as set out at Appendices 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5;

(3)  Agreed the Development Management Fees as set out in Appendix 3 take effect from 1 February 2021.

 

 

Minutes:

The Committee received a report recommending the fees and charges for which this Committee is responsible, with the new charges being effective from 1 April 2021.

The Committee received a verbal introduction from the Senior Accountant.

The following matters were raised by the Committee:

a)            Stray dogs: Following a question from a Member, the Officer confirmed that there is currently no need for a facility for dogs within the Borough.

b)           Fixed fees: Following a question from a Member, the Officer noted that some of the larger pre-application schemes currently have no fixed price. This is due to the diversity of each scheme. The Officer noted that there are many considerations including resources, and the hourly rate of the Officers involved.

Following consideration, it was resolved unanimously that the Committee:

(1)       Authorised the Chief Finance Officer to vary fees and charges for items generating income under £1,000 per annum and/or for one-off services or items;

Following consideration, the Committee resolved with 8 Members voting for, 1 Member voting against and the Chairman not voting that:

Subject to the approval of Council, the Committee:

(2)      Agreed the fees and charges for 2021/22 as set out at Appendices 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5;

Following consideration, the Committee resolved with 8 Members voting for, 1 abstention and the Chairman not voting that the Committee:

(3)      Agreed the Development Management Fees as set out in Appendix 3 to take effect from 1 February 2021.

 

 

51.

Revenue Budget 2021/22 pdf icon PDF 108 KB

This report sets out budget estimates for income and expenditure for Environment & Safe Communities services in 2021/22.

Decision:

Following consideration, it was resolved that the Committee:

(1)  Recommended the 2021/22 service estimates for approval at the budget meeting of full Council in February 2021;

(2)  Confirmed the savings options set out in section 6 for inclusion in the 2021/22 and 2022/23 budget estimates, to mitigate the Council’s projected budget gap.

 

 

Minutes:

The Committee received a report setting out budget estimates for income and expenditure for Environment & Safe Communities services in 2021/22.

The Committee received a verbal introduction from the Senior Accountant.

The following matters were raised by the Committee:

a)            Parking review: Following a question from a Member, the Officer confirmed that the new parking metres would incorporate cash, card and a cashless service provider such as RingGo.

Following consideration, it was resolved with 8 Members voting for, 1 abstention and the Chairman not voting that the Committee:

(1)      Recommended the 2021/22 service estimates for approval at the budget meeting of full Council in February 2021;

(2)      Confirmed the savings options set out in section 6 for inclusion in the 2021/22 and 2022/23 budget estimates, to mitigate the Council’s projected budget gap.