Meeting documents
Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee.
Wednesday, 6th June 2007
Present
Chair
DE Roberts
Councillors
A Bridson, JR Cocker, PSC Johnson, DT Knowles, GD Mitchell, SD Moseley
Index to Minutes
- Minute 1 - DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST/PARTY WHIP
- Minute 2 - MINUTES
- Minute 3 - APPOINTMENT OF VICE-CHAIR
- Minute 4 - 'NOTTINGHAM DECLARATION' GROUP - UPDATE REPORT No 2
- Minute 5 - IMPACT OF VARIABLE RAINFALL
- Minute 6 - SMOKE FREE IMPLEMENTATION
- Minute 7 - PERFORMANCE MONITORING: APRIL 2006 TO MARCH 2007
- Minute 8 - SCRUTINY WORK PROGRAMME 2007/2008
Minute 1 - DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST/PARTY WHIP
Minute Text :
Members were asked to consider whether they had personal or prejudicial interests in connection with any item(s) on this agenda and, if so, to declare them and state what they were. No such declarations were made.
Minute 2 - MINUTES
Minute Text :
Minute Decision :
Resolved - That the minutes of the meeting held on 21 March 2007, having been received or approved by the Council, be received.
Minute 3 - APPOINTMENT OF VICE-CHAIR
Minute Text :
The Head of Legal and Member Services requested the Committee to give consideration to the appointment of a Vice-Chair.
It was moved by Councillor PSC Johnson and seconded by Councillor S Moseley -
"That Councillor S Moseley be appointed Vice-Chair for the ensuing municipal year."
It was moved as an amendment by Councillor D Roberts and seconded by Councillor J Cocker -
"That Councillor D Knowles be appointed Vice-Chair for the ensuing municipal year"
The amendment was put and carried. (5:2)
Minute Decision :
Resolved - That Councillor D Knowles be appointed Vice-Chair for the ensuing municipal year.
Minute 4 - 'NOTTINGHAM DECLARATION' GROUP - UPDATE REPORT No 2
Minute Text :
The Director of Technical Services reported upon the crucial role that local authorities now played in responding to the challenges posed in relation to climate change and he commented upon the significant impact they could have on the reduction of emissions of greenhouse gases. Action to cut energy use could lead to significant cost savings for Councils, and he indicated that action to adapt to climate change could help protect residents against the risk of extreme weather events such as flooding. He reported that at its meeting held on 19 October 2006, the Cabinet noted an update report on the work of the Nottingham Declaration Group, which had been formed to reinforce the Council's commitment to the 'Nottingham Declaration', and had also endorsed the development of a Climate Change Strategy for Wirral by Councillors and Officers.
The Director presented the second update report on the work of the Nottingham Declaration Group since October 2006 and he set out a number of key 'green' initiatives since the last progress report, which were based around the four key themes of the Climate Change Strategy - Awareness, Energy, Transport and Adaptation. The development of the Strategy had enabled the Group to focus efforts for maximum efficiency returns by the development of realistic and challenging reductions in energy consumption and CO2 emissions, and he presented a detailed Action Plan that was consistent with and supportive of a number of important national, regional and local strategies.
In response to comments from members, the Director outlined progress in relation to the development of micro-generation projects and the use of Fairtrade products. With regard to renewable energy, he indicated that information could be placed on the Council's website, and he proposed also to provide additional information to members upon advice given to households.
Minute Decision :
Resolved -
(1) That the Nottingham Declaration progress report be noted.
(2) That the draft Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan be endorsed and referred to the cabinet for approval.
(3) That information be provided to members regarding advice for residents on energy efficiency measures; take up by staff of cycling and the use of transport initiatives; and the use of Fairtrade products.
Minute 5 - IMPACT OF VARIABLE RAINFALL
Minute Text :
The Director of Technical Services reported upon progress made to date following the Council's resolution on 'The Impact of Variable Rainfall in Wirral' (minute 83 (Council - 18 December 2006) refers). In response to the Motion officers had sought the views of the local water companies and drainage authorities on the issues of run-off, water saving and promotion of diversion kits; had sought the views of the Local Government Association and DEFRA on the need for effective guidance to contractors on the impact of their works on groundwater and run-off; and had sought the advice of the Environment Agency on those issues having regard to their role.
He set out also the results of discussions with other Council departments and with officers from other Merseyside local authorities with regard to rainwater drainage. Although drainage issues related to existing buildings was more difficult to control, he commented that as part of the developing Climate Change Strategy, the Council's Development Control Team were working with the Nottingham Declaration Working Group to produce a Sustainability Design Guide for developers. Work had also commenced to seek the views of other stakeholders, and United Utilities had fully endorsed the Motion and commended the Council for foresight in its recognition of the impact of variable rainfall both on surface water run-off and water resources. He commented also that officers from the Environment Agency recently gave presentations on planning consultations and Planning Policy Statement 25 (PPS25) respectively to the Cheshire Drainage and Flood Defence Group. The presentations included a checklist for local authorities to follow to determine which applications should be referred to United Utilities for consultation and the requirements of PPS25. Those officers had indicated a willingness to give the presentation to a future meeting of this Committee.
Minute Decision :
Resolved -
(1) That officers from the Environment Agency be invited to give a presentation to a future meeting of the Committee.
(2) That this Committee notes and endorses the ongoing work by the Technical Services Department to seek the views of partner organisations and other stakeholders on the Council's Notice of Motion, to help develop a strategy to reduce the impact of variable rainfall in Wirral.
Minute 6 - SMOKE FREE IMPLEMENTATION
Minute Text :
The Director of Regeneration reported upon progress in relation to the implementation of Smokefree Wirral, and advised members upon how the allocation of additional funds approved by the Cabinet was being used in securing compliance with the Smoke-Free provisions of the Health Act 2006 and the Smoke-Free Regulations. Mr P Dickson (Environmental Health) gave a comprehensive presentation on the introduction of the Smoke-Free legislation, which was to come into force at 6.00am on Sunday 1 July 2007. From that date virtually all enclosed public places and workplaces in England would become smokefree, including vehicles used to transport members of the public or those that were used as a work vehicle by more than one person. Members were advised of the effect of the new laws, including which places would have to become smokefree and how the law would be enforced in Wirral by local authority enforcement officers. Details were provided also of those few premises that were exempt from the legislation, subject to strict conditions. Failure to comply with the law was a criminal offence and information was provided with regard to guidance and signage that had to be displayed, together with details of fines and penalties that could be imposed.
The Department of Health had recognised the additional demands required by the Health Act 2006 and had made resources available to support local authorities in undertaking the new smoke free work. Grants had been paid under Section 31 of the Local Government Act 2003 using the district-level Environmental, Protective and Cultural Services (EPCS) Relative Needs Formula (RNF). He set out the specific grant allocation for Wirral and illustrated expenditure over the first six months of the implementation initiative. There had been a major national advertising and awareness campaign and locally, officers of the Council and the PCT, had sought to raise awareness through the provision of advice to individuals and employers/businesses to ensure full compliance. The primary aim of the new law was to protect people from the harmful effects of second hand smoke, and the Smoke-Free campaign actively supported the NHS Stop Smoking Campaign. Information would be included within the Council's website, and he referred also to the wealth of information that was available in the smokefree website (www.smokefreeengland.co.uk).
Minute Decision :
Resolved -
(1) That the progress on SmokeFree Wirral implementation to promote compliance with the ‘Smoke Free’ provisions of the Health Act 2006, be noted.
(2) That the presentation be forwarded to all members of the Committee.
Minute 7 - PERFORMANCE MONITORING: APRIL 2006 TO MARCH 2007
Minute Text :
The Director of Regeneration reported upon the performance of the Regeneration Department during the period April 2006 to March 2007. The report was very wide-ranging and diverse in its content and application due the wide range of services delivered by the department, and he provided a summary which highlighted those areas of the Departmental Plan that would be of principal interest to members of the Environment Overview & Scrutiny Committee, namely the work undertaken by the Trading Standards and Environmental Health Divisions. Key objectives achieved over the last year were in relation to enforcement against the sale of counterfeit goods, work undertaken in conjunction with the police to combat rogue traders and under-age sales of alcohol.
He set out the key objectives that would be focused upon over the next year, and referred to the Rogers Review of Local Authority Regulatory Priorities, which had been endorsed and accepted by the Government. This set the following six current national enforcement priorities for local regulatory services, which were directly relevant to the activities of the Regulation section and would need to be reflected in the sections service planning over the next year -
• Air quality
• Alcohol licensing
• Hygiene of food businesses
• Improving health in the workplace
• Fair trading
• Animal and public health
In response to comments from members, the Director reported upon action with regard to noise nuisance, changes in responsibilities in dealing with stray dogs, and successful prosecutions pursued by the Department.
Minute Decision :
Resolved - That the performance of the department between April 2006 and March 2007 be noted, and the priorities for service delivery for the next financial year be endorsed.
Minute 8 - SCRUTINY WORK PROGRAMME 2007/2008
Minute Text :
In order to assist the Committee in identifying topics to be included in this years scrutiny programme, the Head of Legal and Member Services circulated the CfPS document 'Prioritising Topics for Scrutiny'.
Minute Decision :
Resolved - That consideration of this matter be deferred to the next meeting of the Committee, so as to enable spokespersons to consult with their respective groups to identify topics for scrutiny.
(Minutes Published: 12 June 2007)