Issue - meetings

The Head of Housing and Health gave a verbal update in respect of the Environmental Climate Change Forum. He reminded Members that the forum arose from a recommendation of the Task and Finish Group set up by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee to explore this topic.

The Head of Housing and Health explained that much of the work of the Task and Finish Group had been incorporated into both the climate change declaration that had been made at Full Council in July 2019 and the commitments and action flowing from the declaration.

Members were advised that the Forum had held its first conference style meeting at Fletchers Lea in Ware in January 2020.  The Head of Housing and Health explained that a virtual video conference was scheduled to take place at 3 pm on Monday 21 September 2020 and he hoped that a greater number of people could participate virtually.  He detailed what he anticipated would be the primary topics of focus for this conference and he referred to the Council’s action plan following the Council’s climate change declaration.

The Head of Housing and Health summarised the broad headline categories of the action plan and said that the Environmental Sustainability Co-ordinator would present a detailed report to the 3 November 2020 meeting of the Committee.

The Head of Housing and Health concluded by referring to the proactive role of East Herts Council in the establishment of the Hertfordshire Climate Change and Sustainability Partnership.

The Head of Housing and Health explained that he was happy to incorporate the wider actions and priorities of the Hertfordshire Climate Change and Sustainability Partnership into regular updates for the Committee.

The Chairman said that a written update would be beneficial and did not have to wait until the next meeting as updates could be submitted by email.

Councillor Frecknall said that he had not heard about the virtual forum meeting on 21 September 2020 and said that more communication would be beneficial going forward as would a written update for the Committee. 

The Chairman asked for an email invite to be sent to Members for the meeting due to be held on 21 September 2020. The Head of Housing and Health responded to a number of other queries from the Committee. Members received the update on the Environmental Climate Change Forum.

RESOLVED – that (A) the update on the Environmental Climate Change Forum be received

(B)   Members be provide with a detailed written updated at the next meeting of Overview and Scrutiny Committee.