Agenda and minutes

(Head of Research and Democratic Services)  To report the appointment of any substitute members for the meeting.

The Panel noted that Councillor Mrs A Grigg was attending the meeting as a substitute for Councillor Mrs P Smith

(Head of Research and Democratic Services). To declare interests in any items on the agenda.

In considering whether to declare a personal or a prejudicial interest under the Code of Conduct, Overview & Scrutiny members are asked pay particular attention to paragraph 11 of the Code in addition to the more familiar requirements.

This requires the declaration of a personal and prejudicial interest in any matter before an OS Committee which relates to a decision of or action by another Committee or Sub Committee of the Council, a Joint Committee or Joint Sub Committee in which the Council is involved and of which the Councillor is also a member.

Paragraph 11 does not refer to Cabinet decisions or attendance at an OS meeting purely for the purpose of answering questions or providing information on such a matter.

No declarations were made pursuant to the Council’s Code of Member Conduct.

Attached.

Noted.

(Chairman/Lead Officer) The Overview and Scrutiny Committee has agreed the Terms of Reference of this Panel and associated Work Programme. This is attached. The Panel are asked at each meeting to review both documents.

Noted.

(Head of Environmental Services). To consider the minutes of the meeting of the Joint Committee held on 26 October 2005.

The Portfolio Holder for Environmental Protection presented the minutes and outlined the main issues for consideration.

The Head of Environmental Services reported on recent changes to the proposed procurement approach for the waste strategy project. The main proposal was that the existing approach be amended to enable the decoupling of the collection and disposals arrangements and that system integration opportunities be retained. The impact of this was outlined including the potential implications for the CPA process and the demonstration of Best Value. The Head of Environmental Services also drew attention to the Waste Strategy reference case.

It was noted that a special meeting of the Panel had been agreed to consider the Outline Business Case (OBC) for the procurement process. The Head of Environmental Services explained that given the changes to the procurement process and the need to reflect the current position in the OBC, the production of the document was taking longer than expected.

Several Members asked about the timescale for the implementation of the wheeled bin  service for the District. The Head of Environmental Services reminded the Panel  that a letter detailing the programme  signed by the Portfolio Holder had been  circulated to Members and undertook to resend this to the Panel for information.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting of the West Essex Area Management Joint Committee held on 26 October 2005 be noted.

(Head of Environmental Services) To consider the report to follow.

The Panel were invited to consider and comment on the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005.

The Head of Environmental Services presented a report summarising the Act. He reported the need to link its provisions to the Crime and Disorder Strategy. He stated that he had met with the Crime and Disorder Co-ordinator to discuss this aim and would be meeting with him again before the deadline for submissions to  give the issues further consideration.

The Panel had before them a copy of the main consultation document which was circulated prior to the meeting.

The document was split into 10 main parts which covered  crime and disorder, vehicles, litter, refuse, waste noise and dog controls.

The Panel considered the document and made the following  comments:

• In relation to vehicles, it was proposed that the provisions should cover and create additional powers to deal with nuisance parking in residential areas.

• Several Members requested to see more detailed information on the costs to the Council of the Act especially the provision of unformed wardens.

• In relation to the control of dogs, several Members expressed concern about the practicalities of the indication that  following the changes local authorities would be expected to provide a 24/7 service for the collection and kennelling of strays. It was recommended that the police still be involved in this service and continued to share the responsibly with local councils

The Head of Environmental Services reported that changes to the arrangements for the payment by the County of recycling credits to collection authorities was currently the subject of a separate consultation exercise. Members would be informed about the outcome of this exercise through the Members Bulletin.

The Panel agreed that a further meeting be arranged so that a further consideration could be given to the document and a response formulated for consideration at the next OSC on 8 December 2005.

The Head of Environmental Services reported that the Panel would receive a detailed report on the use of Community Wardens and the wider considerations in relation to the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005. It was agreed that the Chairman of the Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership, and the Portfolio Holder for Community Wellbeing be invited to the meeting to which this report was submitted to enhance the discussions. The Panel undertook to propose a timescale and priority for the review for the Chairman’s report at the next OSC on 8 December 2005.

ACTION

The Head of Environmental Services to incorporate the Panels comments within the response.

Head of Planning and Economic Development to report.

Members will be aware that Henry Stamp, the Principle Planning Officer for Forward Planning has submitted letters to the public examination to raise a series of points about local representation and other matters. The Panels response to these letters dated 29 June and 14 September 2005 is attached.  

The Head of Planning and Economic Development drew attention to two attachments to the this weeks Members Bulletin forwarding details on the Members Briefing to be held on 19 November 2005 on the Examination in Public for the  East of England Plan. The Portfolio Holder encouraged Members to attend.

Head of Planning and Economic Development to report.

There were no matters to report.

To consider which reports are ready to be submitted to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee at its next meeting.

Response to Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005 (Part 1)

To consider the forward programme of meeting dates for the Panel. The Panel might wish to consider a date for the special meeting of the Panel agreed previously to consider the Joint Waste Committee Outline Business Plan as well as a date for its next normal meeting.

1 December 2005 at 7.00p.m

Z Folley to canvass dates for the meeting thereafter through the Members Bulletin.