Agenda, decisions and minutes

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Contact: Email: democraticservices@epsom-ewell.gov.uk  tel: 01372 732000

Items
No. Item

1.

Question Time

To take any questions from members of the Public.

Decision:

No questions were asked or had been submitted by members of the public.

Minutes:

No questions were asked or had been submitted by members of the public.

2.

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.

 

Decision:

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

Minutes:

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

3.

Minutes of Previous Meeting pdf icon PDF 87 KB

The Committee is asked to confirm as a true record the Minutes of the meeting of the Environment and Safe Communities Committee held on 26 January and to authorise the Chair to sign them.

 


Decision:

The Minutes of the previous meeting of the Environment and Safe Communities Committee held on 26 January were agreed as a true record and signed by the Chair.

Minutes:

The Minutes of the previous meeting of the Environment and Safe Communities Committee held on 26 January were agreed as a true record and signed by the Chair.

4.

Climate Change Action Plan Year 2 Update pdf icon PDF 352 KB

Climate Change is recognised as one of the leading global issues facing society today. This is shown through the Council’s adoption of its ambitious Climate Change Action Plan in January 2020. This report provides an update on the targets and actions within the second year of the Council’s Climate Change Action Plan.

 

Additional documents:

Decision:

Following consideration, the Committee resolved to:

(1)      Consider and note the targets and actions contained in Year 2 of the Council’s Climate Change Action Plan including those that were partially implemented in Year 1.

(2)      Note the new targets included to best facilitate a green recovery from COVID-19 pandemic.

 

Minutes:

The Committee received a report providing an update on the targets and actions within the second year of the Council’s Climate Change Action Plan.

The following matters were raised by the Committee:

a)            Climate Change Action Plan: Following a question from a Member, the Officer explained that some of the set targets originally set within the Climate Change Action Plan had not been completely delivered in year 1. The report included an update for those targets which had been partially completed to let the Committee know of the progress of individual objectives.

b)            Electric vehicles: Following a question from a Member, the Officer confirmed that the Council currently owns one electric pool car. The Officer noted that quotes were being undertaken on the price of electric vans, and due to the developing nature of the market, it would be hopeful that price decreases would be seen in the near future.

c)            Tree planting: Members raised concerns regarding the number of trees that would need planting. The Officer noted that a pre-mapping exercise was being undertaken, and agreed that they would return to Committee with details regarding what would be planted in 2021. Members noted Surrey County Council’s policy to replace dying trees, and explained that they were in touch with Surrey to try and amend this policy, to adopt a more flexible approach.

d)            Electric vehicle charging points: Members noted the recent E.V Forum which discussed the plans for charging points across Surrey. The Officer noted that work was underway to find suitable locations in existing properties and sites for charging points to be installed.

e)            Engagement: Following a question from a Member, the Officer noted that they were working closely with the Communications team in order to broaden engagement to local residents. This includes a recent article in the Borough Insight, e-Borough Insight, thorough information on the Council website and the possibility of a quarterly output of messaging. Members spoke about the possibility of physical literature, in order to be inclusive to any resident without access to the internet.

f)             Climate Change Task Group: Members spoke about the Climate Change Task Group and spoke about the possibility of this group re-forming. In his absence, the Vice-Chair confirmed he would pass this information to the Committee Chair.

Following consideration, the Committee resolved unanimously to:

(1)      Consider and note the targets and actions contained in Year 2 of the Council’s Climate Change Action Plan including those that were partially implemented in Year 1.

(2)      Note the new targets included to best facilitate a green recovery from COVID-19 pandemic.

 

5.

Protect duty consultation pdf icon PDF 76 KB

To agree the Council responds to the Government consultation on the introduction of a new Protect Duty, aimed at helping protect public venues and spaces from terrorist attacks.

Decision:

Following consideration, the Committee resolved to:

(1)      Submit a consultation response to the Government’s consultation on a new Protect Duty by 2nd July 2021

(2)      Agree the consultation response to be submitted on behalf of the Council by the Head of Housing and Community in consultation with the Chair and Vice-Chair of Environment and Safer Communities, Director Environment, Housing and Regeneration, Head of Operational Services and Head of Property and Regeneration.

 

 

Minutes:

To respond to the Government’s consultation on the introduction of a new Protect Duty, aimed at helping protect public venues and spaces from terrorist attacks.

Following consideration, the Committee resolved unanimously to:

(1)      Submit a consultation response to the Government’s consultation on a new Protect Duty by 2nd July 2021

(2)      Agree the consultation response to be submitted on behalf of the Council by the Head of Housing and Community in consultation with the Chair and Vice-Chair of Environment and Safer Communities, Director Environment, Housing and Regeneration, Head of Operational Services and Head of Property and Regeneration.

 

 

6.

National waste strategy consultations pdf icon PDF 97 KB

The Government is consulting on elements of its Waste and Resources Strategy for England (the ‘national waste strategy’).  This report summarises the consultations for Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and Deposit Return Scheme (DRS), and the Council’s proposed responses to them.

The report also notes a recently-published, third consultation, Consistency of Collections (Consistency), for which responses have not yet been compiled.

Additional documents:

Decision:

Following consideration, the Committee resolved to:

(1)      Comment on the summaries to the Council’s EPR and DRS consultation responses, as annexed to this report.

(2)      Authorise the Head of Operational Services to submit the Council’s EPR and DRS consultation responses, taking account of the Committee’s comments and subject to the final approval of the Chair and Vice Chair.

(3)      Note the Consistency consultation.

(4)      Authorise the Head of Operational Services to draft and submit the Council’s Consistency consultation response subject to the delegated approval of the Chair and Vice Chair.

 

Minutes:

The Committee received a report summarising the consultations for Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and Deposit Return Scheme (DRS), and the Council’s proposed responses to them. The report also noted a recently-published, third consultation, Consistency of Collections (Consistency), for which responses had not yet been compiled.

The Committee received a verbal introduction from the Transport and Waste Services Manager.

Following consideration, the Committee resolved unanimously to:

(1)      Comment on the summaries to the Council’s EPR and DRS consultation responses, as annexed to this report.

(2)      Authorise the Head of Operational Services to submit the Council’s EPR and DRS consultation responses, taking account of the Committee’s comments and subject to the final approval of the Chair and Vice Chair.

(3)      Note the Consistency consultation.

(4)      Authorise the Head of Operational Services to draft and submit the Council’s Consistency consultation response subject to the delegated approval of the Chair and Vice Chair.