Agenda item

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Transformation and Partnerships which provided members with an updated work programme for the Environment and Sustainable Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee for 2017-208 (for copy of report, see file of minutes).

Members were advised that the circulated proposed work programme for 2017/18 had been developed following the conversation with members at the April meeting. At that meeting members had identified a number of topics from the 2016/17 work programme where they wished to receive further progress reports including: regional funding; winter maintenance; fuel poverty; environmental campaigns, Community Action Team and the Carbon Management Plan.

In addition new areas had been identified for inclusion including an overview of the Culture and Sports Service, Bereavement Service, highways maintenance and the Business Energy Efficiency Project. A number of special meetings have been arranged looking at fuel poverty and engagement with the Flood Risk Management Authorities for County Durham.

A number of visits are also included in the proposed work programme and the topic for focused scrutiny review was identified as Durham County Council’s future allotment policy providing members of the committee with an opportunity to be involved in the development of Durham County Council’s future policy.

Resolved: (i) That the new work programme for 2017-18 be agreed.

(ii) That an additional Special meeting of the Environment and Sustainable Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee focusing on fly-tipping and Household Waste Recycling Centres be included in the work programme for 2017/18.

(iii) That the Environment and Sustainable Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee focus on Durham County Council future allotments policy as the topic for the focused scrutiny review for 2017/18.