Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received on behalf of Councillor Dexter Bullock.

To note any urgent items of business which the Chairman has consented to being considered under the provisions of Section 100(B) 4(b) of the Local Government Act 1972.

There were no urgent items of business to consider.

Members should declare the existence and nature of any Disclosable Pecuniary Interest and Non Statutory Interest as defined by the Members’ Code of Conduct in respect of:

a)  any business on the agenda

b)  any urgent additional items to be considered

c)  any matters arising out of those items and if appropriate, withdraw from the meeting at the relevant time.

Members were requested to declare the existence and nature of any disclosable pecuniary interests and/or other interests, not already on their register of interests, in any item on the agenda and withdraw from the meeting at the appropriate time.

There were no declarations of interest made.

To consider the minutes of the last Climate Change and Communities Scrutiny Committee meeting held on 3^rd August 2021.

Moved by Councillor David Dixon and seconded by Councillor Evonne Parkin.

RESOLVED that the Minutes of a Climate Change and Communities Scrutiny Committee held on 3^rd August 2021 be approved as a correct record.

(Members should contact the officer whose name appears on the List of

Key Decisions for any further information.  NB: If Members wish to discuss an exempt report under this item, the meeting will need to move into exempt business and exclude the public in accordance with the Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985 and Local Government Act 1972, Part 1, Schedule 12a for that part of the meeting only).

The Chair agreed to move this item to later in the meeting.

Verbal update.

The Environmental Health Manager – Commercial & Environment gave a verbal update relating to the Committee’s ongoing Fireworks scrutiny review. He stated that in response to requests made by Members at the meeting on 3rd August 2021 (where the review began) he would now answer some of the questions raised and present them with the recent report North East Derbyshire District Council produced on the same issue.

The Environmental Health Manager – Commercial & Environment circulated the North East Derbyshire District Council report and explained that the report (presented to their Cabinet on 13th February 2020) included proposals for a ‘Bonfire and Firework Display Registration Scheme’. The scheme would raise awareness of safety concerns, promote the RSPCA noise campaign, and introduce a voluntary registration system (with code of conduct) for public displays.

The Environmental Health Manager – Commercial & Environment responded to some of the specific points raised on 3rd August 2021 as below:

1) Derbyshire County Council track all of the fireworks people buy in the area.

2) The Government has researched the impact of firework noises on people and concluded that the volume is the same as a ringing telephone. However, distance can change this.

3) Having different types of firework shows such as light shows would depend on the Government legislating for it.

4) Looking for dogs being scared by fireworks was not something the Dog Warden measured.

The Environmental Health Manager – Commercial & Environment explained that many of the issues mentioned were Police matters. Members agreed that they would like to see an approach to enforcement and firework misuse that would see Enforcement officers join the Community Safety Accreditation Scheme, which would allow them to carry out Police work. The Environmental Health Manager – Commercial & Environment and the Head of Leader's Executive and Partnerships agreed they would investigate the possibility.

N.B. The Environmental Health Manager – Commercial & Environment left the meeting at this point.

RESOLVED that the verbal update on the Fireworks review be noted.

The Head of Leader's Executive and Partnerships and the Partnership Strategy & Policy Officer presented a monitoring update on the Sustainable Community Strategy and current Partnership delivery.

RESOLVED that the monitoring update on the Sustainable Community Strategy and current Partnership delivery be noted.

The Scrutiny & Elections Officer presented the list of Key Decisions to Members. She explained that the North Derbyshire Rough Sleeper Strategy 2021-2023 would be considered at Executive in October.

RESOLVED that the list of Key Decisions be noted.

The Scrutiny & Elections Officer presented the Work Programme 2021/22 to Members. She explained that the Community Safety Interim Review listed for the meeting in October might not have to happen because of the amount already covered in March 2021.

The Work Programme was moved by Councillor Nick Clarke and seconded by Councillor Evonne Parkin.

RESOLVED that the Committee notes this report and approves the Programme attached at Appendix 1.

(Scrutiny & Elections Officer)

Meeting concluded at 1100 hours.