Agenda and decisions

Apologies for absence were received on behalf of Councillors Sandra Barr, Jim Brown, Dave Cullen and Jody Hanafin.

There were no declarations of interest.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 20 November 2019.

It was RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting of the Environment and Economy Select Committee held on 20 November 2019 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

To consider an update on the previous scrutiny review of the Environment & Economy Select Committee into the Maintenance of Trees, Hedges and Shrub beds.

Members received an update on the previous scrutiny review into the maintenance of trees, hedges and shrub beds.

Councillor Sarah Mead advised that she was in attendance for this item to raise concerns on behalf of a number of local residents with concerns on this matter.

Members raised the following issues:

·         In relation to shrub beds, officers advised that the Council was ahead of its planned schedule and a lot of improvements had been made to shrub beds across the Town.  Councillor Mitchell requested the survey results for the Longmeadow survey;

·         Members were disappointed to learn that no work had yet been undertaken on the promotion of gardening services to those residents unable to maintain their own gardens.  Officers advised that this would be looked at as part of the Council’s Commercial Strategy.

Councillor Sarah Mead’s concerns included the seeming lack of response by the Council to residents where there were concerns about overhanging and potential nuisance or even danger being caused by trees; the problems caused by certain types of trees eg sycamores, in relation to leaf drops and flooding issues; the blocking of light from trees and the half pruning of shrubs and hedges.

In response, Officers informed Members that due to limited resources they had to make judgements to respond to what requests were considered reasonable and in the main to address safety issues, on top of the routine maintenance undertaken by the Team.  A review of the Policy would be undertaken in due course.

·         In respect of volunteering, the programme of Green Space volunteering activities was continuing and viewed as a success by all.

·         In relation to Licences to Occupy, Members noted that although the new system had been in place for a while and the process had been simplified, officers would be undertaking a review of possible gaps and risks that had been identified.

·         Members were pleased to see the wide range of species of trees that had been planted throughout the Town in recent years. In response to a question, officers advised that a number of native tree species such as holly, maple, birch etc were also planted.  The challenge for the team was to plant the right size and type of tree in the appropriate location.

It was RESOLVED:

1.    That the update be noted;

2.    That a further progress report be added to the work programme and brought back to this Committee in 6 months’ time.

To receive an update on the review of local neighbourhood centres and some background information for the review.

Members received an update on the review of local neighbourhood centres and some background information for the review.

It was noted that the first site visits by officers and Members had been made to Symonds Green and The Oval Community Centres.  The next visits to the Neighbourhood Centre buildings included Oaks Cross and would end up back at the Oval and would help Members to gather evidence for the Review.

It was RESOLVED that the update be noted.

To consider any Part 1 business accepted by the Chair as urgent.

None.

To consider the following motions –

1.  That under Section 100(A) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as described in paragraphs1 – 7 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act as amended by Local Government (Access to Information) (Variation) Order 2006.

2.  That Members consider the reasons for the following reports being in Part II and determine whether or not maintaining the exemption from disclosure of the information contained therein outweighs the public interest in disclosure.

Not required.

To consider any Part II business accepted by the Chair as urgent.

None.