Agenda item

(Chairman / Lead Officer) The Overview and Scrutiny Committee has agreed the Terms of Reference of this Committee. This is attached along with an ongoing work programme. Members are asked at each meeting to review both documents.

Terms of Reference

These were noted by members.

Work Programme

Councillor A Patel asked if the ‘Identification of Recommendations to be made to the Overview and Scrutiny (O&S) Committee’ on the Council’s Transformation Project from the Transformation Task and Finish Panel meeting of 11 September 2017 (Min no 22), and subsequent amendments made by the O&S Committee on 31 October 2017 (Min no 33) could be added to this SC’s Work Programme. This concerned recommendations 4 (Details of new projects should be submitted to the relevant select committee for their scrutiny, or in the case of those being managed by the Chief Executive they would come to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee) and 5 (Project closure and benefits realisation reports should be submitted to the relevant select committee for their information, or in the case of those being managed by the Chief Executive they would come to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee), which was agreed.

On item (7) Environmental Enforcement Activity, Councillor N Bedford suggested raising the profile of this issue through more publicity of successful cases to increase public awareness, which was agreed.

On item (11) Yearly Review of the Off-Street Parking Service, Councillor N Bedford advised that the Off-Street Car Parking Contract Partnership Board had rescheduled the first meeting for 7 December 2017 at 5pm.

On item (16) Air Quality Officer, Councillor N Bedford recommended these issues were included in a presentation next March – how air pollution was monitored; how we could reduce pollution; impact on air quality at roadworks; and impact on air quality from idling vehicles.

Councillor W Breare-Hall, Environment Portfolio Holder, said that Council Enforcement Officers had recently asked vehicle drivers outside a Buckhurst Hill primary school to turn their engines off and that if they did not comply, would be fined. Councillor S Neville said that idling vehicles were a frequent problem outside both primary schools in Buckhurst Hill. D Macnab stated that Epping Underground Station was on LUL land and suggested that TfL be approached to work with the Council on this issue. Councillor W Breare-Hall said that the Council had a general power to fine idling drivers and was able to issue up to a level 3 fine, the maximum amount of which was £1,000 for an offence.

On item (17) Councillor N Bedford said it would be useful to know from the Public Health Officer information on – which departments came under Public Health; how the team worked; how to raise the profile; trends; and the identification of hazards.

Councillor J H Whitehouse asked if both the Air Quality and Public Health Officers would be attending this SC’s meeting in March 2018. D Macnab confirmed this and that a Land Drainage Officer (item 14) would attend the January meeting to explain the various land drainage and flood matters in which officers were involved.

Councillor A Patel asked if there would be an update provided on the anniversary of the introduction of the four-day collection service part of the Waste Management Contract in April 2018. D Macnab said the Minutes of the Waste Management Partnership Board were published on the Intranet at the link below: https://eppingforestintranet.moderngov.co.uk/ieListMeetings.aspx?CId=769&Year=0

D Macnab advised members that TfL would be attending the O&S meeting in January 2018, but there was no firm date on when Essex County Council Passenger Transport would attend a meeting.

            Agreed:

(1)    Work Programme new additions to be made for Transformation Projects relevant to this Committee and for Transformation Projects closure and benefits reports.

(2)    Work Programme: (7) Environmental Enforcement Activity – D Macnab to organise increased public awareness through more press releases of successful cases.

(3)    Work Programme: (16) Air Quality Officer, the following issues be included in the officer’s presentation next March information:

·      How air pollution was monitored;

·      How we could reduce pollution;

·      Impact on air quality at roadworks; and

·      Impact on air quality from idling vehicles.

(4)    Work Programme: (14) Land Drainage Officer – K Durrani to organise and presentation to include the various land drainage and flood matters with which officers were involved.

(5)    Work Programme: (16) Air Quality – D Macnab to organise co-operation with TfL on idling vehicles on LUL at Epping Station.

(6)    Work Programme: (17) Public Health Officer, the following issues be included in the officer’s presentation next March information:

·      How the team worked and which departments came under Public Health;

·      How to raise the profile;

·      Trends; and

·      Identification of hazards.