Agenda and minutes

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

It was reported that Councillor K Chana was substituting for Councillor Y Knight.

(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.

Councillor Sartin declared a non pecuniary interest in agenda item 5 on the Thames Water Utilities Presentation. She declared that she would remain in the meeting for the discussion of the item.

To agree the notes of the last meeting held on 30^th October 2012.

The notes of the 30 October 2012 meeting were agreed as a correct record.

Representatives of Thames Water Utilities will be present at the meeting to answer questions about problems with surface water flooding in the district.

The Panel welcomed officers from Thames Water Utilities to give an overview of their work and responsibilities especially now that they have taken over responsibility for most private sector sewers.

The officers were Paul Volk the North London Waste Repair and Maintenance Manager, Don Ridgers their Senior Technical Lead, Mark Dickinson the Planning Manager for Thames Water and Monica Kumah their Local and Regional Government Liaison officer.

Sue Stranders, EFDC’s Drainage Manager, in introducing Thames Water noted that in October 2011 most private sector sewers had transferred to Thames Water. Many of the sewers on the larger estates, built in the 1960s and 1970s, were constructed using pitch fibre pipe, which only had a life span of about 30 years. This had created problems that were previously dealt with by the Council’s Drainage Team by the way of the service statutory notices. Also, because of the recent wet weather there were also concerns about surface water flooding in our area. She also cited recent problems, since the transfer, with poor communication between EFDC and Thames Water. EFDC was looking for service delivery improvement; wanted to know how Thames Water operated on a daily basis; what their repair and replacement strategy was and what were their future plans.

Paul Volk noted that part of the problem was that Thames Water had a wide geographical remit in the South East. In order to improve communications they had appointed Nigel Fuller as a specific contact for this district. He admitted that for the last 3 to 6 months they had not been giving a full service, but they were keen to build a better working relationship with the district. They have a 24/7 helpline that primarily dealt with blockages and were dealing with about 80,000 calls per year. Quick action on their part usually resolved most issues raised and they always checked the state of the pipes when they unblocked them. Most blockages related to inappropriate items being put down the system. Their response time should be just a few hours. Sometimes they could not clear the blockage and would have to investigate further, using specialist cameras and other equipment. They can also reline sewers using a specialist lining material.

They have a special campaign “Bin it, don’t block it” and distribute leaflets explaining the problems and what should not be put down the systems. This was a regular campaign.

As for the flooding of sewers, these incidents are recorded separately and has its own database. Again, they use CCTV and specialist vehicles to cope with this problem. They also have a risk register which was reviewed every few months to identify the ‘hotspots’.

Asked about budget constraints Mr Volk replied that their budget was derived from our bills, which they used as best as they could. They have a five year plan to identify their spending needs and also a business plan and also use ‘customer challenge focus groups’.

Mr Dickinson added that they keep an oversight of the areas that they  ...  view the full minutes text for item 33.

A consultation on delivering the Government’s policies to cut alcohol fuelled crime and anti-social behaviour.

The Panel considered the Home Office’s consultation document on the Government’s policies to cut alcohol fuelled crime and anti-social behaviour. The Panel noted that the paper was very subjective in the way it was written, reflecting government’s concerns on alcohol and anti-social behaviour. They agreed that the consultation was confusing, muddled and not properly thought through. There was a need to ask the Home Office to re-consider the document and make it more logical.

            RESOLVED:

That officers reply to the consultation by saying that it had been considered but it was considered to be too disjointed and should be re-considered.

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

RECOMMENDATION:

To note the progress on the CCTV 5 year Service Plan.

The Panel considered the CCTV five year action plan. They would like the ‘when’ column to be more helpful and have more meaningful dates included as it was unclear when the dates started from and hence when they would end.

Councillor Smith expressed her concern that the CCTV resources would be preserved in the current budget round as it was a valuable resource.

            RESOLVED:

That the progress on the CCTV 5 year service plan be noted.

To note the attached set of minutes for 21 June 2012.

The Panel noted the minutes of the Green Infrastructure meeting dated 21 June 2012. They expressed concern that other meetings of the panel had been held since June but the minutes had not come to this meeting. They would like more up to date minutes brought to their meetings so that they were kept abreast of the group’s progress.

(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.

Terms of Reference:

It was noted that item 4 of the Panel’s Terms of Reference still used the outdated term ‘Nottingham Declaration’ this should now be altered to read ‘Climate Local Agreement’ which had replaced it.

Work Programme:

Item 5 – SCG Strategy Action Plan - now to be considered in April 2013.

Item 9 – Appointment of PCC – the PCC to address the February meeting. Town and Parish Councils are to be invited to participate in the meeting. It will also be webcast. An item to this effect is to be put in the Members Bulletin.

Item 11 – to receive notes of the Waste IAA member meetings – noted that they had not met as yet.

Item 12 – notes of the Waste Management Partnership Board – noted that they were to meet within the week.

Items 15 and 16 – progress against Climate Local Agreement and progress against carbon reduction strategy – this was for planning to take forward and bring to the April meeting.

Item 20 – review of EA flooding management of River Roding – officers were still hoping to have the EA at the April meeting.

Item 21 – review of waste contract ahead of next procurement – officers were still working on this. The next waste contract commences in November 2014 and it would be a 7 to 10 year contract. Officers were currently looking at what procurement method they should use.

Item 22 – fire and rescue services – this was still to be calendared into the meeting schedule.

Item 26 – highway accident statistics – hopefully this would be ready for the April meeting.

Councillor Girling asked that the minutes of the Highway Panel be brought to this meeting as soon as available.

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

It should be reported to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee that the Panel had received a presentation from Thames Water Utilities at this meeting and that at their February meeting the new PCC would be giving a presentation and that the meeting would be open to all.

To note the future meeting dates of this Panel. They are:

*12 February 2013; and

02 April 2013.

*Meeting dedicated to Crime and Disorder issues.

The dates of future meetings of the Panel were noted.