Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received on behalf of Councillors Dexter Bullock and Deborah Watson, and Ken Eastwood (Joint Assistant Director Environmental Health Service).

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.

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.

There were no declarations of interest made.

To consider the minutes of the meeting held on 12^th July 2022.

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

RESOLVED that the Minutes of a Climate Change & Communities Scrutiny Committee held on 12^th July 2022 be approved as a correct record.

To consider the minutes of an Extraordinary meeting held on 26^th July 2022.

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

RESOLVED that the Minutes of an Extraordinary Climate Change & Communities Scrutiny Committee held on 26^th July 2022 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).

Committee considered the List of Key Decisions and items to be considered in private document.

Moved by Councillor Nick Clarke and seconded by Councillor Jen Wilson.

RESOLVED that the List of Key Decisions and items to be considered in private document be noted.

The Scrutiny & Elections Officer introduced the item reminding Members of the work completed to date by the previous Healthy, Safe, Clean & Green Communities Scrutiny Committee and initial discussions by this committee. 

The Environmental Health Service Manager (Commercial & Environment) briefed Members on the dangers of sky lanterns and balloon releases and the associated impacts.  The points raised mirrored the evidence gathered to date by both scrutiny committees.  It was also noted how the Council could have a role in awareness raising and promotion of safer alternatives.

Cllr Jen Wilson noted that as a landowner the impact was particularly horrendous affecting livestock and hay bales.

Cllr Anne Clarke noted that where there was a large number of sky lanterns released at night it was easy for the lights to be mistook for aircraft.

The officer suggested that a possible course of action was to propose a Charter rather than a Policy, as a statement of intent by the Council as to its approach locally.  Without national legislation clearly giving local authorities scope to act and protect their areas, this was considered the best action the Council could take, and was deliverable by the service.

Members thanked the officer for the briefing and resolved to take on board the advice given and amend draft recommendations accordingly.

Moved by Councillor Nick Clarke and seconded by Councillor Anne Clarke.

RESOLVED that the briefing be noted.

The Scrutiny & Elections Officer briefed Members on overall progress to date.  Three out of four recommendations had been achieved and one had been extended but should hopefully complete within the original twelve month monitoring period.  It was noted that while the lobbying letter had been sent by the Portfolio Holder, no response had been received to date, presumably due to the personnel changes within Government.  The letter would be resent to both the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, and the local MP.

The Environmental Health Service Manager (Commercial & Environment) briefed Members on progress against the four recommendations.  In relation to recommendations one and two, the Registration Scheme had now launched and a range of communications taken place.  This would now be revisited due to the time of year and events being planned to ensure both public and event organisers were aware of health and safety risks.  It was noted, however, the deadline for registering for the scheme for November 2022 had passed.  In relation to recommendation four it was noted that officers had met with the Police and an agreement in principle had been made on powers that could be granted under a Community Safety Accreditation Scheme.  This work was progressing and would be reported back in due course.

Cllr David Dixon noted that a notice had gone out to parishes in relation to the Event Accreditation Scheme but he was not aware of any local plans in Barlborough.

The Environmental Health Service Manager noted that only one application had been received so far.  He noted that some event holders were likely to be happy with their current processes and did not want to pursue the Accreditation.  As the Scheme was voluntary this was beyond the Council’s control.

Cllr Anne Clarke noted they would raise the issue with Old Bolsover Town Council for their forthcoming event.

Moved by Councillor Jen Wilson and seconded by Councillor Anne Clarke.

RESOLVED that (1) Members note the progress against the review recommendations,

(2) Members acknowledge the exceptions to delivery and the additional action required by the service,

(3) Members make its report and findings public, in accordance with Part 4.5.17(4) of the Constitution,

(4) officers continue to implement the recommendations and submit a final report in six months’ time highlighting exceptions to delivery.

(Scrutiny & Elections Officer)

The Scrutiny & Elections Officer presented the Executive Response to the final review report to Members.  All recommendations had been approved and the report would now move in to the monitoring phase reporting on progress against the recommendations in six and twelve months’ time.

It was noted that there had been a query over recommendation 12 and whether the monitoring reports for the grant allocations should come to scrutiny.  Members were informed that the Scrutiny & Elections Officer and Cllr David Dixon had advised Executive that whilst this had been an initial consideration for scrutiny, on consultation with Executive & Partnerships team it was felt that the existing process of reporting to Executive and Council met expectations.

Moved by Councillor Jen Wilson and seconded by Councillor Evonne Parkin.

RESOLVED that (1) Members note Executive’s Response to the Review of Voluntary & Community Sector Grant Allocations,

(2) Members make its report and findings public, in accordance with Part 4.5.17(4) of the Constitution,

(3) officers monitor progress on the recommendations and report in six and twelve months’ time highlighting exceptions to delivery, in accordance with Part 3.6(1) of the Constitution.

(Scrutiny & Elections Officer)

Committee considered their proposed work programme for 2022/23.  Members agreed to add an additional item on climate change and progress against the Carbon Reduction Plan.  Members suggested the option of both additional informal meetings and formal agenda items for either November 2022 or January 2023.  The Scrutiny & Elections Officer agreed to liaise with relevant officers on future meeting dates.

Councillor Evonne Parkin noted her apologies in advance for the January meeting.

Moved by Councillor Jen Wilson and seconded by Councillor Anne Clarke

RESOLVED that the Work Programme 2022/23 be approved and noted.

(Scrutiny & Elections Officer)