To take any questions from members of the Public.

No questions were received from members of the public.

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.

The following declarations were made by Members of the Committee in relation to items on the agenda:

Allotments

Councillor Julie Morris, Other Interest: In the interests of openness and transparency, Councillor Julie Morris declared that she was an allotment holder but came to the meeting with a clear and open mind.

Allotments

Councillor Steven McCormick, Other Interest: In the interests of openness and transparency, Councillor Steven McCormick declared that he is an allotment holder but came to the meeting with a clear and open mind.

The following declarations were made by Members of the Committee in relation to items on the agenda:

Allotments

Councillor Julie Morris, Other Interest: In the interests of openness and transparency, Councillor Julie Morris declared that she was an allotment holder and didn't believe that she had any bias with regard to this item.

Allotments

Councillor Steven McCormick, Other Interest: In the interests of openness and transparency, Councillor Steven McCormick declared that he is an allotment holder but came to the meeting with a clear and open mind.

The Committee is asked to confirm as a true record the Minutes of the meeting of the Environment and Safe Communities Committee held on 22 March 2022 and to authorise the Chair to sign them.

The Minutes of the previous meeting of the Environment and Safe Communities Committee held on 22 March 2022 were agreed and signed by the Chair.

The Minutes of the previous meeting of the Environment and Safe Communities Committee held on 22 March 2022 were agreed and signed by the Chair.

This report establishes the details of membership and frequency of meetings of the Council’s Crime and Disorder Sub-Committee.

The Committee received a report establishing the details of membership and meeting frequency of the Council’s Crime and Disorder Sub-Committee.

Following consideration, the Committee unanimously resolved to:

(1)      Agree the membership and frequency of meetings as set out in the report.

The Committee received a report establishing the details of membership and meeting frequency of the Council’s Crime and Disorder Sub-Committee.

Following consideration, the Committee unanimously resolved to:

(1)      Agree the membership and frequency of meetings as set out in the report.

This report proposes increases to the cost of Garden Waste recycling subscriptions and Bulky Waste collection charges with effect from 1 September 2022. This is proposed to help cover rising operational costs, such as for fuel, bins, AdBlue and staffing costs.

The Committee received a report proposing increases to the cost of Garden Waste recycling subscriptions and Bulky Waste collection charges with effect from 1 September 2022. This was proposed to help cover rising operational costs, such as for fuel, bins, AdBlue and staffing costs.

Following consideration, the Committee unanimously resolved to:

(1)      Approve an increase to the cost of new and renewed garden waste subscriptions from 1 September 2022 as detailed in paragraph 2.4.1 of the report.

(2)      Approve an increase to the cost of bulky waste collections from 1 September 2022 as detailed in paragraph 2.4.2 of the report.

The Committee received a report proposing increases to the cost of Garden Waste recycling subscriptions and Bulky Waste collection charges with effect from 1 September 2022. This was proposed to help cover rising operational costs, such as for fuel, bins, AdBlue and staffing costs.

The following matters were considered:

a)            Increased operational costs. The Committee noted the increased operational costs which the Council was experiencing in relation to refuse and recycling services, including diesel, bins and AdBlue. These were estimated to be around £17,600 for garden waste and £1,120 for bulky waste services.

b)            Small bin subscriptions. The Committee noted that small (140-litre) garden bins were not available to new subscriptions. These bins had been made available to subscribers who wished to continue following the discontinuation of the previous garden waste bag service several years ago.

Following consideration, the Committee unanimously resolved to:

(1)      Approve an increase to the cost of new and renewed garden waste subscriptions from 1 September 2022 as detailed in paragraph 2.4.1 of the report.

(2)      Approve an increase to the cost of bulky waste collections from 1 September 2022 as detailed in paragraph 2.4.2 of the report.

To report to the Committee the results of the self-managed allotments consultation.

The Committee received a report reporting the results of the self-managed allotments consultation.

Following consideration, the Committee unanimously resolved to:

(1)      Note the outcome of the self-managed consultation.

(2)      Agree not to progress with options of self-management with all existing Council managed allotment site holders except for those who occupy plots at Epsom Common.

(3)      Agree a further consultation with Epsom Common allotment tenants to include a copy of the terms and conditions of the self-managed scheme, to be actioned once the current allotment database has been subject to data cleanse to ensure integrity of information stored.

(4)      Agree to a change in the self-management criteria to read: “At least 65% of the current plot holders support the application to join the self-managed scheme, non-responders will be treated as a vote to remain council managed”.

The Committee received a report detailing the results of the self-managed allotments consultation.

The following matters were considered:

a)            Committee terms of reference. The Chair informed the Committee that allotments had previously been managed by the Council’s Community & Wellbeing Committee and had changed to be within the Environment & Safe Communities Committee’s remit following amendments to the Constitution in May 2022.

b)            Income. The Committee noted that income from self-managed allotment sites was provided to the site management body, rather than the Council. If an existing Council managed site were to become self-managed then the Council would endure a loss of income.

c)            Threshold for self-management. The Committee noted the proposal to lower the threshold of allotment plot holders required for a site to become self managed. It was proposed to lower the threshold from 75% to 65%. Non-responders would count as a ‘no’ vote as was presently the case.

d)            Database. The Committee noted the proposal that a data cleanse be implemented for the allotment database to ensure its integrity and accuracy.

Following consideration, the Committee unanimously resolved to:

(1)      Note the outcome of the self-managed consultation.

(2)      Agree not to progress with options of self-management with all existing Council managed allotment site holders except for those who occupy plots at Epsom Common.

(3)           Agree a further consultation with Epsom Common allotment tenants to include a copy of the terms and conditions of the self-managed scheme, to be actioned once the current allotment database has been subject to data cleanse to ensure integrity of information stored.

(4)      Agree to a change in the self-management criteria to read: “At least 65% of the current plot holders support the application to join the self-managed scheme, non-responders will be treated as a vote to remain council managed”.

This report requests the Committee’s approval to the appointment of Councillor Phil Neale as the Alternative Transport Champion for the 2022-23 Municipal Year, in accordance with Article 17 of the Constitution.

The Committee received a report requesting the Committee’s approval to the appointment of Councillor Phil Neale as the Alternative Transport Champion for the 2022-23 Municipal Year, in accordance with Article 17 of the Constitution.

Following consideration, the Committee unanimously resolved to:

(1)      Approve the appointment of Councillor Phil Neale as the Alternative Transport Member Champion for the 2022-23 Municipal Year.

The Committee received a report requesting the Committee’s approval to the appointment of Councillor Phil Neale as the Alternative Transport Champion for the 2022-23 Municipal Year, in accordance with Article 17 of the Constitution.

The following matter was considered:

a)            Visibility of Champions on website. The Committee considered that the Council’s Champions should be listed on the Council’s website. It was noted that Officers would look in to enabling this.

Following consideration, the Committee unanimously resolved to:

(1)      Approve the appointment of Councillor Phil Neale as the Alternative Transport Member Champion for the 2022-23 Municipal Year.