Issue - meetings

The Chairman submitted a report setting out the future work programme for Environment Scrutiny Committee for 2016/17.  The Scrutiny Officer provided a summary of the report and invited Members to consider any additional items and whether they wished to invite Executive Members to future meetings.

Members were also requested to consider whether there was any training Members would like arranged that was relevant to the remit of Environment Scrutiny.  Councillor K Crofton referred to housebuilding in the District and commented on whether Members could scrutinise the provision of supporting infrastructure.

The Leader referred to the District Plan in terms of house types and design as well as supporting infrastructure.  She stated that the document was in the final stages and there had been many opportunities to contribute.  She concluded that any further matters of substance should be dealt with at meetings of the District Plan Executive Panel rather than via the Scrutiny process.

The Scrutiny Officer referred to a future meeting of the Health and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee and the linkages between the District Plan, Development Management and Health.  She stated that issues such as walking and cycling could be discussed at that meeting along with the points raised by Councillor Crofton.

Councillor R Henson referred to a review of parking policy.  The Leader confirmed that there was a parking policy in the District Plan and this matter could be discussed at future District Plan Executive Panel meetings.

Councillor Mrs R Cheswright commented on ways of giving residents information regarding recycling.  The Head of Environmental Services and Leisure referred to a report on how the Council communicated with the public.  Councillor G Cutting stated that wheel cards had been very effective at informing residents in Bishop’s Stortford Central ward in terms of which material to include in which bin or recycling container.

The Committee supported the recommendation as now detailed.

RESOLVED – that the work programme, as now detailed, be approved.