Agenda and minutes

Nominations were sought for the appointment of a Vice Chairman.  It was moved by Councillor W Ashley and seconded by Councillor N Poulton that, Councillor C Rowley be appointed Vice Chairman.

RESOLVED – that Councillor C Rowley be appointed Vice Chairman for the Civic Year 2011/12.

To receive apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors D Abbott and P Gray.  It was noted that Councillor E Bedford was substituting for Councillor Gray.

RESOLVED – that the Minutes of the meeting held on 7 June 2011 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

The Chairman encouraged Members to review the work undertaken in the Council’s Parks and the Management Plans on display in the Council Chamber.  Members supported a suggestion that these plans be put on display at the next Council meeting for all Members to view.

Councillor N Poulton submitted a report outlining a number of recommendations following a review by a Planning Enforcement Task and Finish Group which evaluated 12 months of data on the performance indicators previously identified by the Task and Finish Group.  Following the conclusion of the work of the Task and Finish Group a number of suggestions to the PI’s were made; these included:-

·                          Deletion of the PI – Cases closed without the need for formal action

·                          Deletion of the PI – Customer Satisfaction

·                          Continuation of the PI – Service of Notices

·                          Inclusion of a new PI  - Initial Site Visits

The Committee support the amended performance indicators in relation to the Council’s Planning Enforcement Service as detailed in the report now submitted and detailed above and requested that the Executive be advised that the Enforcement Policy be amended to reflect the recommendations of the Environment Scrutiny Committee.  The Committee also supported the suggestion that minor amendments be delegated to the Director of Neighbourhood Services and the Portfolio Holder.

RESOLVED – that (A) the amended performance indicators in relation to the Planning Enforcement Service as detailed above be approved; and

(B)       the Executive be advised that the Enforcement Policy be amended to reflect the recommendations of the Environment Scrutiny Committee; and

(C)       any subsequent minor amendments be delegated to the Director of Neighbourhood Services and Portfolio Holder.

The Executive Member for Health, Housing and Community Support submitted a report providing an update on the progress of the Parks and Open Spaces Development Programme since March 2009, the detail of which was set out in Essential Reference Paper “B”.  Updates were also provided in relation to the Play Area Development Programme and other improvements made.

Members were provided with a presentation of the works which had been carried out at three particular sites:

·                          Southern Country Park, Bishop’s Stortford

·                          The Ridgway Local Park, Hertford; and

·                          Pishiobury Park, Sawbridgeworth

The Chairman reminded Members that the Parks’ Management Plans were on display at the back of the Council Chamber.  The Committee supported a suggestion that these plans be made available for all Members to view at the next Council meeting.

The Chairman on behalf of the Committee, congratulated Officers for all their hard work in achieving such significant improvements within the District.  Members were advised that by continuing to allocate resources enabled the Council to secure match funding to support many of the initiatives which might otherwise not have been possible.

A Member congratulated Officers on the work done specifically in Pishiobury Park, Sawbridgeworth and also thanked the volunteers and particularly Town Councillor Rochester for his work.  He suggested that in relation to Southern Country Park that consideration be given to improved signage to the entrance from the by-pass road.  The Vice Chairman commented on the improvements to The Ridgeway, Hertford which he believed had played a strong role in bringing the community together. 

The Committee noted the progress of the Parks and Open Spaces Development Programme 2007 -2012 and the Play Area Development Programme 2007 – 2012 and that a further report be submitted to Committee in 2012.  The Committee also agreed that the Council should continue to earmark funding in the capital programme to take advantage of opportunities to secure external match funding bids as they arise.

RESOLVED – that (A) the Committee note the progress within the Parks and Open Spaces Development Programme 2007 – 2012 and the Play Area Development Programme 2007 – 2012 and that a review of the Parks and Open Spaces Strategy 2007 – 2012 be undertaken and submitted to Committee 2012; and

(B)       East Herts Council continue to earmark funding in the capital programme to enable advantage to be taken of opportunities for external match funding bids as they arise.

The Director of Customer and Community Services submitted a report on the performance of key indicators relating to Environment Scrutiny Committee during the period April to June 2011, the detail of which was set out in the report now submitted. 

Clarification was sought and provided in relation to a query on the price of glass recycling and how this would affect the Council’s income.

Member received the report.

RESOLVED – that the report be received.

The Committee considered items for scrutiny during the civic year 2011/12.  The Scrutiny Officer advised that no changes to the programme were envisaged at this point in time.

The Committee approved the Work Programme as submitted.

RESOLVED – that the work programme as detailed be agreed.