Issue - meetings

The Scrutiny & Elections Officer reported back to Committee on progress against the recommendations.  To date 3 out of 4 recommendations had been achieved and 1 had not been progressed following extensive officer investigation.  Negotiation of additional powers for the Enforcement Team required a partnership approach and approval of such powers was out of the Council’s control.  Options to develop this and secure additional powers had been investigated extensively, however, this was not something the Council could deliver on at present.

A Member queried whether the option to develop a Community Accreditation Scheme would come forward in the future.  The Assistant Director noted that this would be dependent on the volume and type of incidents that occur in the future, which would then warrant the need to secure such additional powers.

Following the last update, the Portfolio Holder had received a response from the government.  The response received acknowledged that there was already a range of legislation in place and guidance on the considerate use of fireworks.  The government was currently monitoring the impact of additional legislative changes introduced by the Scottish government pending any further review for England.  There were currently no plans to change the law and the government continued to engage with a wide range of stakeholders, including animal welfare organisations such as the RSPCA, to listen to and understand their views.

Moved by Councillor Jen Wilson and seconded by Councillor Anne Clarke

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

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

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

(Scrutiny & Elections Officer)