Agenda and minutes

Venue: Chappell Room

Contact: Helen Lee  Democratic Services Officer

Media

Items
No. Item

46.

Apologies for Absence and Substitutions.

Minutes:

Apologies were received from Councillor Sam Smith.

47.

To approve, as a correct record, the minutes of the meeting held on 26 April 2021. pdf icon PDF 145 KB

Minutes:

RESOLVED:

 

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

 

48.

Declaration of Interests.

Minutes:

None.

49.

Programme of Portfolio Holder Attendance pdf icon PDF 280 KB

Report of the Democratic Services Officer.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The committee welcomed Councillors Peter Barnes, Portfolio Holder for the Environment, and Gregory Portfolio Holder for Community Development to the meeting to discuss a number of questions that had been sent to them in advance.

 

Councillor Barnes addressed a number of issues and described a range of initiatives being used to take forward the ambition of the authority to become plastic free.  He explained how the appointment of a Climate Change Officer would lead the authority’s aspiration to promote and protect the environment by minimising pollution and waste, and would be working with the community on a number of schemes to improve levels and quality of recycling in addition to promoting the carbon reduction agenda.

 

During discussion a number of points were raised:

 

·       It was explained that glyphosphate herbicide is no longer used on land owned by Gedling Borough but that it is still available to buy and that the County Council Highways department still uses it.

 

·       The use of wild flower planting schemes are contentious as grassed areas are no longer being cut.  However, the benefits of increasing the biodiversity of areas where wild flowers have been planted had to be taken into consideration.

 

·       Discussions are underway to reintroduce the recycling of tetrapaks.

 

·       The authority does not currently fund play areas in parished areas.  It was agreed that Parish Councils would like a contribution towards upkeep and this should be considered. Councillor Barnes acknowledged this and agreed to see what could be done.

 

·       The funding from FCC Communities Foundation for play areas will not disappear with the closure of land fill sites as is linked to Veolia who operate the Mansfield Materials Recovery Facility and Eastcroft Incinerator.

 

 

Councillor Gregory explained that the organisation of activities was currently restricted due to the pandemic but plans were being made for when constraints were loosened.

 

He informed members that:

 

·       Virtual activities for children and young people were available in the Easter holidays and the Youth and Seniors Council had been meeting virtually.

 

·       Work is being undertaken with grassroots organisations regarding funding to enable them provide activities to re-engage with community.

 

·       Concerns about how the pandemic may have affected volunteers are being addressed with proactive work to increase confidence for people once again to get involved in community activities.

 

·       Work is currently being undertaken with the Youth Service and Seniors Council to identify suitable accessible activities that will promote mental and physical wellbeing.

 

 

RESOLVED to:

 

·       Thank Councillor Barnes and Gregory for their attendance.

 

·       Note the report.

 

50.

Review of Compliments and Complaints received by the Council, and the Annual Review Letter 2020 from the Local Government Ombudsman. pdf icon PDF 168 KB

Report of the Democratic Services Officer.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Francesca Whyley, Head of Governance and Customer Services attended the committee to discuss the Council’s complaints process, analysis of complaints received and dealt with by the Council’s internal complaints procedure, and the Annual Complaints Review letter from the Office of Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman.

 

RESOLVED to:

 

·       Note the report.

51.

Corporate Management Risk Scorecard Quarter 3 pdf icon PDF 385 KB

Report of the Democratic Services Officer.

Minutes:

Members considered a report that had been circulated in advance of the meeting relating to the Corporate Risk Management Scorecard Quarter 3 advising members of the current level of assurance that can be provided against corporate risk.

 

RESOLVED to:

 

·       Note the report.

 

 

52.

Scrutiny Work Programme pdf icon PDF 223 KB

Report of the Democratic Services Officer.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Information updates from earlier committees

 

·       ABL (A Better Life) – Your Health Your Way.  Nottinghamshire Integrated Wellbeing Service

 

·       One Step at a Time

 

Members noted the information.

 

Scrutiny Working Groups

 

Flooding

 

Members approved the report and recommendations arising from the working group and agreed that it would be submitted to the next available Cabinet meeting.

 

Domestic Abuse

 

Members were updated on the progress of this working group and informed that the final, evidence gathering meeting would be held shortly after which a report and recommendations would be developed.

 

Scrutiny in Committee

 

The programme of Portfolio Holder attendance was discussed and members agreed that they would like to continue with this mechanism for holding the Executive account during the upcoming municipal year.  It was agreed that members would consider areas for working group review at the next committee.

 

 

RESOLVED to:

 

·       Note the information update requested at a previous committee

 

·       Agree the flooding working group report and recommendations should be submitted to Cabinet for a response.

 

·       Note the information regarding the Domestic Abuse working group

 

·       Continue with the programme of Portfolio Holder Attendance

 

·       Agree an issue for review at the July committee.

53.

Any other item which the Chair considers urgent.

Minutes:

None.