Agenda, decisions and minutes

None.

The Portfolio Holder is asked to sign the minutes of the meeting held on 29 September 2016 as a correct record. 

The minutes of the meeting held on 29 September 2016 were agreed as a correct record.

The Environmental Services Portfolio Holder

AGREED        the proposed fees and charges as set out in Appendix A.

The Head of Service, Environmental Health and Licensing presented this report, which proposed an amendment to fees and charges to make provision for a fly tipping fixed penalty notice under Sections 33(1) (a) and 33 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. He explained that currently fly-tipping offenders were dealt with under the offence of dropping litter, which carried a maximum fine of £100, whilst the proposed change would allow a maximum fine of £400. It was noted that the option of pursuing offenders through the Courts remained open to the Council.

The Environmental Services Portfolio Holder

AGREED        the proposed fees and charges as set out in Appendix A.

The Environmental Services Portfolio Holder:

a)    AGREED:

The memorandum of understanding to participate in the Healthier Options initiative to engage and support local businesses to promote healthier menu options and food preparation techniques.

b)    SUPPORTED:

A strategic mix of options one and two:

Option 1 – officers coordinate promotion with their regulatory intervention programme.

Option 2 – evidence based targeted approach to those businesses located in areas of high incidence of adult obesity who supply fast-food traditionally of a high calorific content.

c)    REQUESTED an update approximately six months after the project started.

The Head of Service, Environmental Health and Licensing presented this report which updated the Portfolio Holder on an opportunity to work with partners on the Healthier Options programme, which was an intervention engaging with local food businesses to provide healthier food and drink options. He recommended that the Environmental Services Portfolio Holder either agreed Option 2, an evidence based targeted approach to those businesses located in areas of high calorific content or a strategic mix of Option 1, officers co-ordinate promotion with their regulatory intervention programme and Option 2.

The Head of Service, Environmental Health and Licensing explained that Environmental Services would liaise with the Communications team regarding the best way to promote healthier options with the relevant businesses in the District. Any changes made by businesses would be voluntary.

The Environmental Services Portfolio Holder expressed his support for this initiative, but in recognition of the challenges involved he requested an update report approximately six months after the project had been initiated.

It was noted that the food served in schools was the responsibility of the County Council.

The Environmental Services Portfolio Holder

a)    AGREED:

The memorandum of understanding to participate in the Healthier Options initiative to engage and support local businesses to promote healthier menu options and food preparation techniques.

b)    SUPPORTED:

A strategic mix of options one and two:

Option 1 – officers coordinate promotion with their regulatory intervention programme.

Option 2 – evidence based targeted approach to those businesses located in areas of high incidence of adult obesity who supply fast-food traditionally of a high calorific content.

c)    REQUESTED an update approximately six months after the project started.

The Environmental Services Portfolio Holder

AGREED        the emerging priorities for the Portfolio to be developed and delivered in the H&ES Directorate Service Plans for 2017/18, subject to Council agreeing priorities for the SCDC Corporate Plan.

The Director of Health and Environmental Services presented this item, which invited comments from the Environmental Services Portfolio Holder on suggested high-level Portfolio priorities for the financial year 2017/18.

Footway/street lights

The Council was responsible for approximately 1,200 footway/street lights and the separation of responsibility for footway lights between this Council, the County Council and parish councils was being reviewed. It was suggested that the Council could consider turning off its lights to save money.

Awarded drains

It was noted that the Council had approximately 230 miles of awarded drains to maintain. The Council did not own these drains, although it did have responsibility for maintaining them. It would require an Act of Parliament for the Council to acquire any more awarded drains.

Tackling loneliness

The Director of Health and Environmental Services explained that efforts were being made to reduce loneliness amongst the elderly by encouraging GP surgeries to make elderly patients aware of the groups that exist in their area.

Youth Council

It was noted that the promotion of the youth council including the liaising with schools was the responsibility of the Strategic Planning Portfolio Holder.

New communities

The challenges of welcoming new residents to Northstowe were discussed and the higher than average suicide rates in new communities was recognised.

Business Hub

The Head of Service Environmental Health and Licensing stated that the Council continued to grow its “Business Hub” with partners to increase income.

Shared Waste Service

The Interim Head of Waste and Recycling explained that the Council were working to embed a single shared waste service, which had involved the TUPE transfer of City Council staff to this authority and changes in the bin rounds to improve efficiency. The Director of Health and Environmental Services agreed to quantify how much savings the shared waste service had achieved for the Council.

It was noted that meeting a target of 65% of waste being recycled would be challenging, as the current rate was just over 50%. The Director of Health and Environmental Services explained that the Council would work with its partners and ReCAP to divert recyclable waste from landfill. It was noted that the target was by weight not volume.

It was noted that the Council had a positive peer review that would inform its service plans. The Environmental Services Portfolio Holder invited the councillors present to contact officers directly if they had any additional queries regarding the Service Plan.

The Environmental Services Portfolio Holder

AGREED        the emerging priorities for the Portfolio to be developed and delivered in the H&ES Directorate Service Plans for 2017/18, subject to Council agreeing priorities for the SCDC Corporate Plan.

The Interim Head of Waste Resources presented this report, which sought the comments of the Environmental Services Portfolio Holder on the Member briefing and communications plan of the Single Shared Waste Services bin round collection changes in February 2017. She explained that the changes to bin collection days would be extensively advertised in affected villages, including:

·         The displaying of large signs informing residents of the change to their collection day.

·         Contacting parish councillors.

·         Advertising in local magazines.

·         Contacting residents’ associations.

·         Call centre briefed for expected increase in missed bin calls.

The Environmental Services Portfolio Holder

NOTED           the Member briefing and communications plan to support the bin round collection charges planned for February 2017.

The Portfolio Holder is invited to identify any items that will be the subject of consideration and / or decision by the Portfolio Holder, or recommendation to, or referral by, the Portfolio Holder to Cabinet, Council, or any other constituent part of the Council.

The Environmental Services Portfolio Holder NOTED the Forward Plan.

Members are asked to bring their diaries.

It was expected that the next meeting would be held in mid-to-late February.