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 M Sartin

(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 that the item on the Re-use of buildings in the Green Belt would not be completed by the deadline of December 2005. The Chairman undertook to report this slippage to the next OSC to seek a new timescale .

(Head of Environmental Services). To consider the attached report.

The Head of Environmental Services presented a report on the new powers contained in the draft Government Guidance for the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005. He invited the Panel to respond to the questions identified in the report and previously circulated main document. He advised that the consultation period for the guidance ended on 2 January 2006.

The Panel considered each question in turn. The Panel delegated certain questions to officers for determination.  These covered technical issues which the Panel thought required specialist knowledge.

Agreed that the full response be prepared and circulated as a supplementary report for the next OSC on 8 December 2005.  Noted that this distribution would cover Members of the Panel.

ACTION

The Head of Environmental Services to prepare and submit full response to Democratic Services for circulation prior to the OSC on 8 December 2005.

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

Report on Panels response to Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005.

The Head of Environmental Services reported that, under proposed new guidance, Local Authorities might be given new responsibilities in relation to the collection of stray dogs. He advised that the Local Government Association were running a consultation exercise on the proposals. The proposals might be subject to a formal consultation process. This should include this Panel. The Head of Environmental Services undertook to report the issue to the OSC to ensure that it was aware of this potential new work.

It was possible that the legislation would not come into affect until after the budget for next year had been finalised. This might entail that the costs could not be factored into the budget making process for the period.

To consider the forward programme of meeting dates for the Panel.

12 January 2006 at 7:30 p.m