Meeting documents

At the beginning of the meeting the Chair announced that there was to be an alteration to the order of the agenda. Agenda item 6 ‘Overview and Scrutiny Committee Work Programme and Cabinet Work Programme 2021-22’ was moved to Agenda Item 10. This was to help further the efficient transition of business. These minutes reflect that amended order.

No apologies for absence were received.

To receive declarations of the existence and nature of any private interest, both disclosable pecuniary and any other registrable interests, in any matter to be considered or being considered.

No declarations of interest were made.

To sign the minutes OS/54/03/22 to OS/62/03/22 of the meeting of this Committee held on 1 March 2022 as a correct record of those proceedings (copies previously circulated). 

Proposed by Councillor Raine

Seconded by Councillor Simpkins

and RESOLVED that the minutes OS/54/03/22 to OS/62/03/22 of the meeting of this Committee held on 1 March 2022 be confirmed and approved by the Chairman as a correct record of those proceedings.

To participate in a question and answer session on the role of the Leader of the Council and her Portfolio. 

The Chairman welcome the Leader to the meeting for a question and answer session.  The Leader gave a presentation on the Planning aspect of her portfolio. Upon completion of the presentation the Chairman opened the floor to questions from Members.

A Member asked if the A66 duelling that was mentioned in the presentation is not in direct contradiction to nutrient neutrality, as this project will require lots of temporary services.

The Assistant Director Development explained that National Highways have been alerted to the issue and they are engaged with Natural England on it. It is likely to be a number of years before this project starts, so there will be time to identify and implement mitigation to achieve nutrient neutrality. We will continue to monitor their actions in this regard. 

A Member asked if the Consultation on the Beacon was still ongoing.

The Leader responded that the consultation had closed a while back, and the examiner had responded. The Assistant Director Development commented that the plan would need to go to a referendum and a report will be brought to members in the near future.

A Member raised a question on nutrient neutrality. As farmers have applied for grants to have their slurry tanks covered, because of the increased in raw materials they can no longer afford to do this – have you had any feedback on this?

The Leader confirmed that she had not been in contact with anyone on this.

A Member raised a question on nutrient neutrality. They raised the fact that these measures were trying to reduce algae blooms, the cause of that is too much fertilizer on land. What is happening to reduce fertilizer? Surely housing development has a huge impact on that. How does Housing development lead to increase nitrogen and phosphorus in the rivers?

The Assistant Director Development commented that it is both agricultural fertiliser and housing development. Foul waste from residential accommodation is the main problem. Ouflows from waste treatment plants can go into the rivers and add undesirable nutrients.

A Member raised a query in regards to climate change, here the Member raised that developers are using gas boilers in their developments. The Member queried if this is going to change?

The Assistant Director Development explained that there was new building regulations coming into force that will be stricter in regards to carbon.

A Member raised a query in regards to nutrient neutrality, and if surface water was included in this, as some developments have an excess of surface water that is going into rivers.

The Assistant Director Development commented that there is a link – but it is not as big as an implication as other factors. There is lots of factors to this, and he believes that this isn’t a central consideration in the nutrient neutrality measures. 

A Member raised a query in regards to nutrient neutrality, and if Council’s can mitigate this by taking agricultural fields out of circulation.

The Assistant Director Development explained that fertiliser and livestock  ...  view the full minutes text for item OS/66/05/22

To consider report DoR41/22 of the Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee which presents the work of the Committee and its Task and Finish Groups during the 2021-2022 Council year.

RECOMMENDED that the work of Overview and Scrutiny Committee and its Task and Finish Groups during the 2021-2022 Council year be noted, and that the report be considered by Council at its annual meeting on 26 May 2022.

[Please note: this report will be sent ‘to follow’]

Members considered Report No: DoR41/22 of the Chairman of Overview and Scrutiny Committee which presents the work of the Committee and its Task and Finish Groups during the 2021 – 2022 Council Year.

The Chair informed the meeting that due to a change in the constitution there is no longer an obligation to take this item onto Full Council. Therefore the recommendation will be altered.

Proposed by Councillor Wicks

Seconded by Councillor Banks

and RESOLVED that the work of Overview and Scrutiny Committee and its Task and Finish Groups during the 2021-2022 Council year be noted.

To consider the attached report DCE28/22 of the Deputy Chief Executive, provides an update on progress with the single site programme.

RECOMMENDED that this Committee notes the report.

Members considered Report No: DCE28/22 of the Deputy Chief Executive which sought to provide an update on progress with the single site programme.

Members raised the following points in debate:

·        The costings of the Salix Funding;

·        The sale of Mansion House;

·        The details and logistics around utilising the Council Chamber as a ‘soft trial’ for events;

·        The implications of nutrient neutrality on the sale of mansion house;

·        The implications of Local Government Reorganisation on the use of Voreda House as a local service hub.

The Deputy Chief Executive informed Members that the sale of Mansion House had restarted, and that they had swapped heads of terms with the developer. In relation to the use of Voreda House as a local service hub, he clarified that it is too early to state the use of it in relation to Local Government Reorganisation, however, it allows the opportunity for jobs to be located here.

The Assistant Director Development confirmed that the development of Mansion House would have to be in line with nutrient neutrality, the Council would work with the developer on it like any other application.

Proposed by Councillor Banks

Seconded by Councillor Wicks

and RESOLVED that this Committee notes the report.

To consider the attached report DCE29/22 of the Assistant Director Delivery in respect of an update on progress of the Zero Carbon Strategy and associated action plan, with particular attention to the COP26 and Green Business Grant Funds.

RECOMMENDED that this Committee notes the report.

Members considered Report No: DCE29/22 of the Assistant Director Delivery in respect of an update on the progress of the Zero Carbon Strategy and associated action plan, with particular attention to the COP26 and Green Business Grant Funds.

Members raised the following queries:

·        The use of the COP26 Community Fund and who could apply for it;

·        The online tool that asses the carbon footprint at a parish level;

·        Why was Eden’s carbon levels so high?

The Deputy Chief Executive responded that the reason that Eden’s carbon levels are so high, despite being sparsely populated, is the M6 running through the district and a cement works. These are two big contributors.

A written response was undertaken to be provided in relation to the online carbon footprint tool.

Proposed by Councillor Lawson

Seconded by Councillor Wicks

and RESOLVED that Overview and Scrutiny Committee note this report.

To consider the attached report DCE30/22 of the Assistant Director  Development in respect of the formation of the Task and Finish Group and the Terms of Reference.

RECOMMENDED that Committee notes the contents of the report.

Members considered Report No: DCE30/22 of the Assistant Director Development in respect of the formation of the Task and Finish Group and the Terms of Reference.

Proposed by Councillor Lawson

Seconded by Councillor Banks

and RESOLVED that Committee notes the contents of the report.

To consider the attached report DoR40/22 of the Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, which:

1.    Reviews the Overview and Scrutiny Committee’s work programme for the remainder of the municipal year 2021-22, and the first meeting of the municipal year 2022-23.  The report also invites, as a continuous option, suggestions for possible agenda items from all non-Executive Members; and

2.    Notes the Cabinet Work programme and considers any items which might benefit from the input of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee prior to the Cabinet making a decision. 

RECOMMENDED that

1.  The Overview and Scrutiny Committee’s work programme for the municipal year 2021-22 and the first meeting of the municipal year 2022-23 be noted, and any revisions be agreed; and

2   The Cabinet Work Programme be noted, and any decisions to scrutinise items contained therein be made. 

Members considered Report No: DoR40/22 of the Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee which:

1.       Reviews the Overview and Scrutiny Committee’s work programme for the remainder of the municipal year 2021-22, and the first meeting of the municipal year 2022-23.  The report also invites, as a continuous option, suggestions for possible agenda items from all non-Executive Members; and

2.       Notes the Cabinet Work programme and considers any items which might benefit from the input of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee prior to the Cabinet making a decision. 

Members raised the following queries:

·        The desire to have the Leader back for a Questions and Answer session on different areas of her portfolio;

·        The need for Members to have a list of all the portfolio holder responsibilities;

·        The need for the portfolio holder presentations to be time-limited in order for the session to be better managed;

Proposed by Councillor Ryland

Seconded by Councillor Smith

and RESOLVED that:

1.     The Overview and Scrutiny Committee’s work programme for the municipal year 2021-22 and the first meeting of the municipal year 2022-23 be noted, and any revisions be agreed.

2.     That the Cabinet Work Programme be noted.

The Chair raised the fact that she would like to see a report on the Council’s Gas Supply brought to Committee. She had talked to the Officers prior to the meeting about this possibility.

The date of the next scheduled meeting of this Committee be confirmed as Thursday 7 July 2022 at 6.45 p.m.

The date of the next scheduled meeting was confirmed as Thursday 7 June 2022 at 6:45pm.