Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Jaysica Marvell.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 19 March 2026.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 19 March were agreed by the Committee.

To note the Terms of Reference as agreed at Annual Council on 21 May 2026.

It was RESOLVED that the Terms of Reference be noted.

To consider the Environment & Economy Select Committee’s Work Programme for 2026-27.

The Committee considered the proposed work programme for the forthcoming municipal year and agreed that the annual climate emergency monitoring meetings should be streamlined to place greater emphasis on local activity and outcomes, rather than national updates. Members noted that previous meetings had been lengthy and that local issues had not always received sufficient scrutiny.

The Committee also agreed to receive a follow-up report on cycling to review progress against recommendations arising from the previous scrutiny exercise. In addition, Members supported the inclusion of an update on skills and employment, recognising the Council’s ongoing focus in this area. Suggestions included arranging a visit to the new college campus, reviewing adult literacy levels within the town. Members noted the value of previous engagement with the college and agreed that further scrutiny of its developing facilities would be beneficial.

The Committee also discussed a proposed review of cost-of-living issues. Members acknowledged that, although previous scrutiny work had been undertaken in this area, many challenges remained for local residents and warranted further examination. It was suggested that the review should consider demand for local food banks, the characteristics of those requiring support, and the extent to which employment and skills issues may be contributing factors. Concerns were also raised regarding the affordability of travel and access to employment opportunities, with Members noting forthcoming updates relating to local bus services. The importance of monitoring the implementation and impact of previous scrutiny recommendations was emphasised, and Members agreed that reviews should be revisited periodically to assess progress.

The Committee received an explanation of the Action Tracker process, which enables scrutiny recommendations from recent years to be monitored and reviewed, and noted that a more detailed consideration of the tracker would take place at the next meeting.

To receive the draft scoping document for the review of Fly-Tipping.

The Committee considered the E&E Select Committee Work Programme for the forthcoming year and agreed that the principal scrutiny review would focus on fly-tipping. Members discussed the scope of the review and identified a number of key areas for investigation, including enforcement activity, deterrents and penalties, the use of CCTV and signage, reporting processes, performance indicators, hotspot identification, and the accessibility and capacity of waste disposal facilities. Members also highlighted concerns regarding barriers to accessing recycling and waste sites, particularly for residents without access to a car, those with disabilities, and individuals affected by digital exclusion. Members referenced the number of fast- food takeaways in the town centre, leisure park, retail parks and in the neighbourhood centres as an area of potential interest re the number of litter bins and the responsibility of the restaurants. It was suggested that comparisons be made with approaches adopted by other local authorities and external organisations to identify examples of good practice.

The Committee further discussed the role of repeat offenders, commercial waste dumping, community engagement, education and behavioural change initiatives, and the potential contribution of local community groups in providing intelligence on fly-tipping hotspots. Officers advised that further information would be brought forward on enforcement activity, intelligence gathering, hotspot mapping, and the development of an action plan. Members supported the inclusion of site visits, engagement with residents and community organisations, and consideration of equalities and diversity impacts as part of the review. The Committee agreed the overall direction of the scrutiny exercise and noted that fly-tipping would form the Committee’s major work programme item throughout the year, alongside other scheduled business.

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

There was no Urgent Part I Business

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.

There was no Urgent Part II Business.