Agenda and minutes

(Assistant to the Chief Executive)  To report the appointment of any substitute members for the meeting.

It was noted that Councillor Mrs J H Whitehouse was substituting for Councillor M Woollard.

Attached.

Noted subject to section on Parking reviews (pg 5) being amended to read:

It was noted that all Members had been invited to comment on the Epping Parking Review Consultation 2004. The particulars were included in the Cabinet papers.

(Assistant to the Chief Executive). 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.

None reported.

Attached.

The Panel considered the updated work plan.

(Essex County Joint Waste Committee – (Item 1)).  Noted that the next meeting of the Essex County Joint Waste Committee was due to take plan on 12 December 2007.

(Nazeing Focus Day Review – (Item 3)).  - J Gilbert reported on discussions regarding the County Freight Strategy. It was noted that this strategy had now been completed and would be submitted to a future meeting of this Panel for consideration.  The County’s Traffic Study was also about to go out for consultation.

ECC Speed Management Plan – Noted that at the last meeting, the Panel expressed a wish to submit views on the Plan when published for consultation and that this should be added to the work plan.

(Climate Change – The Nottingham Declaration (item 9) At its last meeting,  the Cabinet agreed that the Council should become a signatory to the Declaration. The documentation was awaiting finalisation. It was agreed that a draft of the action plan be submitted to the Panel for consideration.

Action: Work Plan to be updated accordingly.

Please see attached final report of the Sub – Group and attachment.

This replaces the report attached to the main agenda (item 6).

The Panel received the report of the Sub – Group for endorsement and submission to the OSC.

J Gilbert presented the report as follows.

(a)             Rogers Review

The report detailed a table of proposed enforcement priorities for the District based on the findings of the Review. (page 5).

Agreed that the wording in the column entitled ‘proposed priority for Alcohol licensing (to include entertainment licensing)’ be altered to read ‘national priority for alcohol/ Local priority for entertainment’.

The use of the word ‘priority’ in recommendation (2) (a b) created some uncertainty. The Panel  sought clarification of the resource implications of this proposal. 

To clarify these issues, it was agreed that the following amendments be made to the recommendation:

(a)        That the most important enforcement functions for the Council in relation to the Rogers Review be agreed as set out in paragraph 6 and that in the context of street scene services Crime and Disorder matters also be included as a most important function;

(b)        that the enforcement priorities falling outside of these areas /or outside the Rogers Review terms of Reference be further reviewed.        

(b)             Cleaner Neighbourhoods Legislation:

The Sub Group considered the powers provided by the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005  (CNEA).

The Group also considered the Encams Local Environmental Quality Report. The Panel noted the findings regarding Epping Forest and requested that this report be sent to all Members of the Panel.

Action: J Gilbert to circulate copy of the Encams review of Epping Forest to members of the Panel.

The Panel also Agreed that recommendation 2 (c) be amended to read that the finding of the review be noted.

The Panel felt that this document should be considered as part of the further review of the outstanding issues. A lot of the findings related to the quality of the Highway Infrastructure. It was suggested that these be put to the Area Highways Manager when he next attends a meeting of this Panel. 

(c)            Information

The Panel considered ways of enabling the public to report issues. The Panel supported the provision of a ‘One Stop Shop’ service to facilitate such reporting.

(d)            Enforcement Processes

Reference was made to the corporate enforcement policy (tabled). There was a need to update this document. The Panel agreed that this task be undertaken as part of the further review.

(e)            Partnerships

The Panel noted the need to consider the resource implication of negotiations.  J Gilbert also reported on his intention to meet with Essex Police to consider arrangements for co-ordinating the delivery of the new powers.

The Panel sought clarification of the timetable for the introduction of the measures.

(f)        Fixed Penalty Notices.

The Panel asked about the arrangements for allocating FPN income generated by the Police. Agreed J Gilbert to find this out and report back to the Panel.

Agreed that the report as amended be submitted to the 31 January OSC and 4 February 2008 Cabinet for endorsement.

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

Report on Rogers Review/CNEA.

20 December 2007 – CANCELLED - 28 February, 23 April 2008

28 February 2008.