Agenda item

The Executive Member for Environment and Public Space provided Members with an overview of his portfolio.

The presentation addressed:

·        Licensing activities including the vision for the taxi licensing function;

·        Environmental Health and its role in ensuring the health and wellbeing of residents;

·        the Council’s role in spreading best practice in terms of  promoting its vision for air quality;

·        partnership working with the Police and others to promote community safety;

·        the management of parks, open spaces and play areas and the important role they have for residents, wildlife and in preserving local heritage;

·        proposals to improve Castle Park in Bishop’s Stortford backed by National Lottery funding; and

·        waste recycling and the “duty of care” for the safe disposal of waste and especially in relation to fly tipping.

An update was provided regarding the joint waste and recycling contract with North Herts.

The Executive Member and the Head of Housing and Health responded to a number of questions raised by Councillor Mrs D Hollebon who commented on the inappropriateness of merging disabled toilets with baby changing facilities, the difficulties wheelchair users had in getting in and out of facilities, and checks on premises when these changed ownership in relation to the “Scores on Doors”.  She queried whether the new officer on air quality would be presenting reports to Members and praised the success of Op Stomp.  Reassurances were sought and provided in response to concerns about lost and abandoned dogs especially in the run up to Christmas. 

Councillor G Cutting expressed concerns regarding the Bishop’s Stortford Music Festival in November and its management arrangements.  He stated that he made repeated complaints to a hotmail email address.  Eventually, the organisers had agreed to refund the cost of his tickets to a charity of his choice.  The Head of Housing and Health took on board the Member’s concerns and agreed to look into this.

The Executive Member explained why the arrangements around the Pilot Project for Litter had been discontinued.

The Head of Housing and Health summarised the help given to premises’ owners who fell short of hygiene requirements in order to increase their “score on the door”.

In response to a query, the Executive Member provided a summary of why eight taxi drivers had had their licences revoked.

Councillor B Deering referred to the need to share information about applications for extensions to premises licences to the wider public.  The Head of Housing and Health explained that the Council worked within statutory guidelines.   He stated that he was in the process of reviewing the Statement of Licensing Policy.  Currently his service emailed all ward members when a request had been made to vary a premises licence.  Councillor B Deering asked that this information also be sent to Town Clerks as well.  This was supported.

The Committee Chairman suggested that provision be made on the Council’s website where complaints could be lodged in relation to an event licence.  The Head of Housing and Health agreed to look into this.

Members thanked the Executive Member for his presentation.

RESOLVED – that the presentation be received.