Agenda and decisions

To take any questions or statements from members of the Public.

There were no questions or statements from the public.

To receive declarations of any Disclosable Pecuniary Interests or other registrable or non-registrable interests from Members in respect of any item to be considered at the meeting.

There were no declarations of interest.

The Committee is asked to confirm as a true record the Minutes of the Meeting of the Committee held on 14 October 2025 (attached) and to authorise the Chair to sign them.

The Committee confirmed as a true record the Minutes of the Meeting of the Committee held on 14 October 2025 and the Chair signed them.

This report presents the Playground Inspection and Maintenance Policy for approval. If approved, this policy will replace and supersede the previous Playground Risk Management Policy originally adopted in 2014 and reviewed in 2018.  The policy sets out the Council’s formal approach to the inspection, maintenance and safety management of all Council owned and maintained playgrounds and associated facilities.

Following consideration, the Committee unanimously resolved to:

(1)       Approve the adoption of the Playground Inspection and Maintenance Policy

This report seeks the Committee’s approval to commence a Threshold 3 RFQ procurement process for the works to refurbish and replace playgrounds and recreation facilities across the borough, fully funded through Strategic Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL).

Following consideration, the Committee unanimously resolved to:

(1)       Approve the commencement of a tender process for the refurbishment and replacement of eight playgrounds/recreation facilities to a total value of £1,060,053, funded by Strategic CIL.

(2)       Note a further report will be brought forward following completion of the procurement process, seeking approval to appoint the Preferred Supplier for the refurbishment and replacement of the eight playgrounds/recreation facilities.

(3)        Nominate and authorise the Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Environment Housing and Regeneration, in consultation with the Director of Corporate Services and Head of Legal Services to take all necessary steps to bring into effect the recommendations resolved by this Committee.

This report seeks the agreement of the Committee to open Hook Road Car Park on a Sunday, subject to the result of a public consultation.

Following consideration, the Committee unanimously resolved to:

(1)       Approve to amend the opening hours of Hook Road Car Park to include opening on a Sunday from 9am – 5pm subject to the results of a public consultation.

(2)       Nominate and Authorise the Head of Housing & Community and the Head of Legal Services and Monitoring Officer to advertise the amendment to the current Traffic Order, as set out in this report, in accordance with the statutory process.

And

a)    Subject to there being no objections following the statutory advertisement to make the new Traffic Order, with the amendment and any additional updates required, and have the same sealed to implement the current proposal

Or

b)    If there are objections following the advertisement to bring back the representations received to the proposal to the Environment Committee in March 2026.

This report provides an annual update on the progress of the Council’s Climate Change Action Plan.

Following consideration, the Committee unanimously resolved to:

(1)       Note the progress made on the delivery of the Council’s second Climate Change Action Plan over the past year.

This report sets out budget estimates for income and expenditure for Environment Committee services in 2026/27.

Following consideration, the Committee resolved (7 for and 1 against) to:

(1)       Recommend the 2026/27 service estimates for approval at the budget meeting of Full Council in February 2026.

This report summarises the proposed 2026/27 capital programme and a provisional programme for 2027/28 to 2030/31. The Committee’s approval is sought for the programme to be submitted to Council in February 2026.

Following consideration, the Committee resolved (7 for and 1 against) to:

(1)       Submit the capital programme for 2026/27 as identified in section 3 of this report to the Council for approval on 10 February 2026

(2)       Agree that the two schemes detailed in section 4 be removed from the existing capital programme and the allocated budget returned to the balance of capital receipts available for funding the 2026/27 capital programme;

(3)       Note the provisional forecast of schemes for the capital programme for 2027/28 to 2030/31.

This report recommends fees and charges for which this Committee is responsible, with the new charges being effective from 1 April 2026.

Following consideration, the Committee resolved (6 for and 2 abstentions) to:

(1)       Agree the fees and charges for 2026/27 as set out at Appendices 1 and 2 of the submitted report.