Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence had been received from Councillors Feeney, Hemingway, Martin Smith and Sam Smith. Councillor Miller attended as substitute.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the above meeting, having been circulated, be approved as a correct record.

Councillor Sandra Barnes declared a personal interest in Items 4 and 6 as the spouse of the Portfolio Holder for the Environment.

Report of the Democratic Services Manager

Members welcomed Councillor Peter Barnes to the meeting to examine the Environment Portfolio.

No questions or areas of concerned had been notified in advance of the meeting so Councillor Barnes started by paying tribute to the hard work and dedication of the Council’s refuse crews who had been delivering a consistent service throughout the covid-19 pandemic. He added that the team was aware of the high numbers of missed bin collections, which were often due to blocked streets, and steps to address this were underway.

With the climate change agenda in mind, Councillor Barnes also acknowledged that that steps needed to be taken to make the Council’s fleet more environmentally friendly, although the very steep hills in the Borough made currently available electric vehicles unsuitable. He added that a national waste and recycling consultation was underway which would lead to future changes in waste operations and officers awaited the outcome of this.

Specifically on recycling rates, Members commented on the difficulty in comparing recycling rates with other areas, particularly where other areas may be more affluent.

Councillor Murray joined the meeting.

Further to the comments made on missed bins, the issue of missed bins due to cars blocking streets was discussed. The Director of Environment, Communities and Leisure added that the issue was currently having a negative effect on the council’s operations as crews were having to return on a different day. There were plans in place to introduce a system of being able to warn registered keepers of vehicles which may lead to a fixed penalty for vehicles that persistently blocked roads. Work was also ongoing with the county council to look at parking controls for some streets where this was appropriate

The issue of HGV driver shortages was discussed. Officers were keeping this under review but currently Gedling was not being negatively affected.

The Committee next went on to discuss the report from the Waste Working Group and the draft waste policy and the Committee was given an overview of proposed the Policy and the work undertaken by the group. The Committee welcomed the draft policy as a useful clarification of the rules and expectations around household waste.

Specifically within the policy, concern was expressed about replacement/new black bins being 180 litres rather than 240. The rationale for this was to encourage more recycling but the Council would always consider requests for larger bins where there was a large family, a medical reason or other exceptional reasons as set out in the draft policy.

Members next discussed the November agenda and specifically the areas that they would like to scrutinise in respect of the Public Protection portfolio. The meeting would also provide the opportunity for the Committee to carry out its statutory duty to examine the Local Community Safety Partnership.
It was decided to concentrate on the following areas/questions:

·         To seek an overview of crime statistics in the Borough

·         Examine CCTV provision, specifically issues around what the council is and isn’t allowed to use it for, what more  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.

Report of the Senior Leadership Team

The Director for Environment, Communities and Leisure introduced a report, which had been circulated in advance of the meeting, summarising performance information for the 2020/21 year.

RESOLVED:

To note the information

Report of the Democratic Services Manager

During discussion of the work programme the following items were covered:

·         The Committee was pleased with the Cabinet response to the Domestic Violence working group report. Cabinet was receptive to the working group recommendations.

·         Members noted the information provided about AED provision and that this would be brought back to a future meeting.

·         A suggestion to examine health provision in the Borough was put forward. It was decided to establish a working group starting in January to examine specifically what impacts Gedling could have on health services, particularly the idea of an integrated health set up following the successful use of the Richard Herod Centre as a vaccination venue. The issue of GP access was felt to be of importance to residents but it was recognised that the Borough Council could have very little impact on this.

·         It was agreed to invite Councillor Hollingsworth to the March meeting to examine the Growth and Regeneration Portfolio and Councillor Wheeler to the January meeting for the Health and Wellbeing Portfolio.

·         At future meetings in the spring, it was decided to ask for the emerging procurement strategy to be scrutinised in committee. Data on compliments and complaints would also be looked at.

·         A final working group, to take place in the spring, would be established to examine the climate change agenda and Carbon Reduction Strategy. By this time the Climate Change Officer would be in post, so this would be a useful exercise to check on progress.

RESOLVED to:

1)    Note that the Waste Policy Working Group report had been discussed as part of item 4 of the agenda;

2)    Note the information provided in relation to AEDs;

3)    Note the Executive response to the final recommendations of the Domestic Abuse Working Group;

4)    Establish working groups on health provision and carbon reduction as discussed; and

5)    Include examination of the Health and Wellbeing and Growth and Regeneration Portfolios, Procurement Strategy and Customer Complaints and compliments on this year’s work programme.

Members considered a report, which had been of the circulated in advance of the meeting, which included information on items referred to the chair as required in the constitution.

RESOLVED to:

Note the information.

None.