Minutes for Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Regeneration and Environmental Services) meeting, Jun 2 2009, 6.30PM official page

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors P. Hardy (and substitute), Roberts and Weavers (and substitute).

Members and Officers are requested to give notice of any personal or prejudicial interest and the nature of that interest, relating to any item on the agenda in accordance with the relevant Code of Conduct.

No declarations of interest were received. 

Minutes of the meeting held on 14 April 2009.

RESOLVED:

That the Minutes of the meeting held on 14 April 2009 be confirmed as a correct record.

The Chair welcomed Councillor Pearson in his new role as Vice-Chair.

Report of the Environmental Protection Director.

The Committee received a report from the Environmental Protection Director which reported Departmental progress against the 2008/09 Environmental Protection Department Service Plan. Members noted again that Sefton was performing very well against its recycling targets. The Committee asked a number of questions to clarify information provided, and there was discussion about the importance of re-negotiating the contract for recycling and waste collection. The Committee agreed to hold a special meeting, not necessarily an evening meeting, to discuss the renewal of the contract for recycling and waste collection.

RESOLVED: That

(1)   the report is noted; and

(2)   the Committee holds a special meeting to discuss the re-negotiation of the contract for recycling and waste collection

Report of the Environmental Protection Director.

The Committee received a report from the Environmental Protection Director, which sought endorsement for changes to the Council’s enforcement policy and practices in relation to Littering offences.

Members felt that this topic would be suitable for consideration as part of the Committee’s work programme for 2009-10.

RESOLVED: That

(1)               The changes to the policy are endorsed by the Committee; and

(2)               The Committee would consider this topic as part of their work programme session on 7^th July 2009.

Report of the Leisure Director.

The Committee received a report from the Leisure Director,  which reported progress in achieving Leisure Services objectives for 2008-2009. Members asked for clarification on a number of issues.  It was noted that the outcomes of this Committee’s Working Group for Libraries Assets Management would have an impact on the Department’s plans.

RESOLVED:

That the progress made towards achieving Departmental and Corporate objectives are noted by the Committee.

Report of the Head of Tourism.

The Committee received a report from the Head of Tourism which informed the Committee of the Departmental Service Plan for 2009-10. Members asked clarification on a number of issues, including an explanation of the funding available for tourism outside of Southport. The Head of Tourism agreed to bring detailed information to the Committee at a later date that would illustrate the level of spending and activities across the Borough.

RESOLVED: That

(1)               the Tourism Department Service Plan for 2009/10 be supported; and

(2)               the Head of Tourism would bring a detailed report regarding the funding of tourism across the Borough to a future meeting of this Committee. 

Report of the Legal Director.

The Committee considered the report of the Legal Director attaching the latest Key Decision Forward Plan which contained all the Key Decisions which the Executive was anticipated to take during the above period. The Committee was advised of its right to pre-scrutinise any Key Decision which fell under its remit.

With regard to the Community Involvement – Licensing Working Group, the Lead Member (Councillor C.Mainey), provided an update which confirmed that the final report was subject for final amendments and a consultation period before the report would come back to the Committee.

With regard to the Watercourse Maintenance & Flooding Working Group, the Lead Member (Councillor Papworth), provided an update which confirmed that the final report was subject to final amendments and a consultation period before the report would com back to the Committee.

Councillor Cluskey expressed disappointment about recommendations from final reports not being followed up. The Chair informed the Committee that the Management Board would be undertaking an exercise to ensure that all final reports are monitored and updates provided to the appropriate Committees.

The Chair asked Members to consider items for consideration prior to the work programme session on 7^th July 2009, and suggested that the Committee might want to consider pre-scrutiny issues during Committee meetings, rather than undertaking in-depth reviews.

RESOLVED: That

(1)   the contents of the Forward Plan, together with the report, be noted;

(2)   the progress in relation to the Committee’s Work Programme and Working Groups be supported; and

(3)   Members would consider topics for the work programme 2009-2010 at the work programme session on 7^th July 2009.