Issue - meetings

The Scrutiny & Elections Officer presented the report and outlined the findings of the review and the recommendations made at the time.  To date one out of five recommendations had been achieved, 3 were overdue but should hopefully complete within the original twelve-month monitoring period, and one was on track.

A Member questioned what would happen should there be a large release of such items due to an event or local incident.  The Chief Executive acknowledged the national campaigns on the matter but confirmed that it was difficult to deal with such incidents at a local level as there were few legislative powers.  The Council was able to enforce against activity on it’s own land and had a role in educating local residents as to the environmental impact of such items.  There would however be no enforcement powers that would enable officers to intervene to stop such a release of balloons or lanterns.  Where incidents took place on Council land and property there were powers to address the breach of clauses in the tenancy agreement, but this was not possible on public land.  Local awareness and education campaigns was the main action the Council could take.

Moved by Councillor Emma Stevenson and seconded by Councillor Jeanne Raspin

RESOLVED that (1) progress against the review recommendations be noted,

(2) the exceptions to delivery and additional action required by the service be acknowledged,

(3) the report and findings be made public, in accordance with Part 4.5.17(4) of the Council’s Constitution,

(4) officers continue to implement the recommendations and submit a further

report in six months’ time highlighting any exceptions to delivery.