Issue - meetings

The Scrutiny Officer submitted the work programme report and sought Members’ comments on items for inclusion on the agenda for the future meetings in 2024/25. She drew Members’ attention to the Appendix to the report and provided an update on the programme.

The Scrutiny Officer said that in relation to Parks, Officers had provided Councillors with potential dates in respect of a site visit to review the district’s parks. This date has yet to be confirmed.

Members were advised that a first of a kind playground for children with disabilities opened in the London Borough of Barnet. The Scrutiny Officer said that the cost of the park was £500,000 with £400,000 obtained from private funding and a £100,000 contribution from the London Borough of Barnet.

Members were advised that the award of the waste, recycling and street cleansing contract would be presented to Overview and Scrutiny on 11 June and then to the Executive.

The Chairman said that a number of questions had been asked of the three key registered social landlords. Only one had responded.  In the absence of other responses, he asked Members for their views on how to progress this further.  Councillor Boylan referred to the recently agreed Housing Strategy and Action Plan which might provide a better platform to identify issues for scrutiny.

The Head of Legal and Democratic Services suggested that Members might wish to debate this further at a Work Programme Workshop on a date to be agreed.  This approach was supported.

The Scrutiny Officer confirmed that the summary bulletin in respect of climate change had been finalised and would be circulated as soon as possible.

In relation to neighbourhood policing and financial support given by Parish and Town Councils, the Scrutiny Officer provided an update to that already stated in the report adding that that 14 Parish Councils and one Town Council had so far responded and that she would provide updates as and when received.

The Chairman said that he was content for neighbourhood policing to be removed from the work programme. This was supported.

The Scrutiny Officer said that a summary bulletin in respect of the Anti-Racism Charter had been drafted and would be circulated to Members shortly.

On the issue of the use of herbicides and particularly Glyphosate, Officers had confirmed that Glyphosate was being used across East Herts. She sought Members’ views on whether they wanted to progress this issue further.

Councillor Buckmaster said that Hertfordshire Highways still used Glyphosate and he wondered whether a paper or summary bulletin could come before the Committee that covered the pros and cons of Glyphosate for controlling weeds. This was supported.

Members suggested that the summary bulletin should include background information on the Pros vs Cons of its use, frequency, how and where and its impact on the Biosphere and Eco System.  Members also asked if the bulletin could include an update on the Class Action in the USA in terms of the impact on human health and also refer to alternative  ...  view the full minutes text for item 367