Agenda and minutes

To receive apologies for absence.

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

RESOLVED – that the Minutes of the meeting held on 13 September 2011 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

With the consent of Members, the Chairman requested that the order of the agenda be changed slightly.  This was agreed.

The Leader of the Council submitted a summary of 2011/12 Service Plan actions relevant to Environment Scrutiny Committee which had been achieved and those where completion dates had been revised.  It was noted that eight actions had been achieved and one action required a revised completion date, the detail of which was set out in Essential Reference Paper ‘B’ of the report now submitted. 

The Committee received the report and were pleased that this report showed “good news”.  Members noted the progress against the 2011/12 Service Plan Actions and the action requiring a revised completion date.

RESOLVED – that the summary of progress against the 2011/12 Service Plan actions be noted, including those actions which had had their completion dates revised.

The Chairman of the Parking and Transport Strategy Task and Finish Group submitted a report providing Members with an update on the progress made in relation to completion of the Council’s Parking and Transport Strategy and invited Members to consider and comment on the early findings of the Task and Finish Group.

Councillor G McAndrew referred to appreciative comments from Councillor M Carver on the positive work of the Task and Finish Group.  Councillor G McAndrew referred to the terms of reference of the Task and Finish Group, which were set out in Essential Reference Paper “C” of the report submitted.  He also referred to the meetings which had taken place in main towns throughout the district and the feedback which had been submitted so far.  It was anticipated that this feedback could be developed to support a strategy which would be reported back to Members and then to the Executive and then Council for approval and adoption by July 2012. 

Councillor G McAndrew explained that the rationale for undertaking the work which was to distil initiatives from a higher level to a lower level, i.e. from the county-level Local Transport Plan to a local level so that the District developed initiatives which “dovetailed”.  He explained the role of stakeholders and residents in the process of reviewing 15 important outcomes  which were then distilled into 5 key priorities for each of the main towns. 

A Member referred to the need to “promote economic wellbeing of the towns and surrounding villages” and stated that this priority was something which applied to all towns and not just Ware.  The issues associated with parking technology available at the time East Herts installed its current system versus what was now being used in other areas (such as Automatic Plate Number Recognition) and what might be available in the future, was discussed. 

A Member referred to the fact that the issue of “public transport” appeared not to be mentioned much by the Task and Finish Group.  He suggested that this was mainly as a result that the majority of East Herts residents were car owners.  Problems of stakeholder engagement were considered and both the Task and Finish group Chairman and the lead Officers confirmed that the feedback from extensive consultations would underpin the final report.

Members thanked Councillor G McAndrew and the team for their report and looked forward to the concluding report.

Members received the report.

RESOLVED – that the work undertaken and work proposed be noted.

The Director of Customer and Community Services submitted a report on the performance of key indicators relating to Environment Scrutiny Committee during the period July to August 2011, the detail of which was set out in the report now submitted.  He referred to the Performance Indicator EHPI 6.8 (turnaround of pre NTO PCN Challenges) which had been “red” for August 2011 but was now showing “green” for the most recent returns.

Members received the report.

RESOLVED – that the report be received.

The Committee considered items for scrutiny during the civic year 2011/12.

The Scrutiny Officer provided an update on future items for consideration.  The Committee approved the Work Programme as now submitted.

RESOLVED – that the work programme as now detailed be agreed.