Agenda and minutes

(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 of interest were made.

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

The Panel noted there were no substitute members.

            Recommendation:

(1)        That the terms of reference for this Scrutiny Panel be agreed and submitted to the 10 July 2008 meeting of then Overview and Scrutiny Committee; and

(2)               That the Panel agree a preferred starting time for the Panel.

1.         At its meeting held on 10 April 2008, the Overview and Scrutiny Committee agreed the setting of this new Standing Scrutiny Panel, by splitting the Environment and Planning Standing Panel and adding in the Crime and Disorder Task and Finish Panel. Draft Terms of Reference have been proposed by the Chairman of the Panel in consultation with the Lead Officer.  These are attached, which the Panel is asked to agree.

2.         Once agreed the Terms of reference will be submitted to the July meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee for their ratification.

3.         For completeness, the terms of reference of its (former) sister Panel, the Planning Services Scrutiny Standing Panel is also attached for information.

4.         The Panel is asked to agree a preferred starting time for Panel meetings.

5.         A work programme will be drawn up brought to the next meeting for information.

The Panel discussed the draft terms of reference as set out in the agenda along with the terms of reference for the new Planning Services Standing Panel.

They noted that the Planning Services Standing Panel met recently and recommended that item 4 on their terms of references be transferred to this Standing Panel as it fell into this panel area of scrutiny. Item 4 read: “to keep an overview on transport matters that were the subject of a focus day in Nazeing in March 2007, and the action plan in respect thereof.”

The Panel agreed that this indeed did fall into their remit and agreed to add it to their terms of reference. This would be added under their current item 6, on Highway Issues.

The Panel then considered when they would like to start their meetings. They agreed a 7.30pm start time.

Resolved:

1)      That the Terms of Reference be agreed subject to item 4 of the Planning Services Terms of Reference being  added; and

2)      That a 7.30pm start time for this Panel be agreed.

(Director of Environment and Street Scene) To consider to attached report.

The Assistant Director for the Environment and Street Scene introduced the report setting out the position regarding the main issues highlighted in the Panel’s terms of reference

They noted that the Safer Cleaner Greener initiative was adopted by the Cabinet in November 2007. The Cabinet resolved:

(1)        That, in support of the Safer, Cleaner and Greener initiative, approval be given to:

(a)        the following additions to the establishment of:

(i)         one CCTV Operations Officer;

(ii)        two Anti-Social Behaviour Investigation Officers;

(iii)       one Environment & Neighbourhood Officer; and

(iv)       a Rapid Response Unit (Highways Rangers);

(b)        the associated proposals for training, service branding, equipment, vehicles and on-going running and maintenance costs; and

(c)        the continued development of the waste and recycling service to include a review of the garden waste collection service and the collection of food waste as a recyclable material;

(2)        That approval be given to the following for inclusion in the 2008/09 budget:

(a)        a revenue Continuing Services Budget growth bid in the sum of £250,000;

(b)        a revenue District Development Fund growth bid in the sum of £30,450; and

(c)        a capital growth bid in the sum of £23,000; and

(3)        That the Overview and Scrutiny Committee be invited to consider the most appropriate means of monitoring the Safer, Cleaner and Greener initiative.

The Panel considered that under the section on Waste Management Partnership Board, paragraph 6, that the last sentence be deleted from that paragraph. The Panel then discussed the current arrangements for waste management. They noted that the Cabinet had asked scrutiny to look at options and development.

Under the paragraph on the Nottingham Declaration, Councillor Mrs Whitehouse commented that as Jon Whitehouse had initiated this action he should be given appropriate credit. This topic had come to the Environment and Planning Services Standing Panel, but nothing had been heard since. The Panel noted that it now the responsibility of Planning Services and that a report on the recent workshop would come to this Panel, with an appropriate officer at a future meeting.

Councillor D Stallan commented on Parking Issues (paragraph 9) and that there was a similar item on going to the Housing Standing Panel covering unauthorised parking on Housing Estates. He offered that a report on this be brought to the next meeting of this panel for their information.  The Chairman agreed that such a report would be welcome.

ACTION: that a report on Unauthorised Parking on Housing Estates be brought to the next meeting of this Panel.

The Panel agreed that under item 6 (a) of the draft work programme that NAG (Nazeing Action Group) should be removed as it should be a wider remit and not just focused on Nazeing.

AGREED:  NAG to be removed from the draft Work Programme (6(a)).

The Assistant Director for the Environment and Street Scene commented that a report will be brought to the Panel on the enforcement arrangements (item 1(d) of the Work Programme). And, that an updated Work Programme will come to the next meeting.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

No other business was raised.

To note the forward programme of meeting dates for the Panel. They are:

02^nd September 2008;

21^st October 2008;

09^th December 2008;

24^th February 2009; and

21^st April 2009.

The dates for future meeting as set out in the agenda was agreed.