Agenda item

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Transformation and Partnerships that provided Members with an updated work programme for the Environment and Sustainable Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee for 2018-19 for their consideration (for copy of report, see file of minutes).

The Overview and Scrutiny Officer was in attendance to present the report and indicated that this was the second discussion by the committee in relation to the future work programme 2018/19 with the first discussion taking place at the April meeting. The table attached to the report had been developed following that discussion and further discussion with the Chair and Vice-chair.

Several areas included in the 2017/18 work programme had been identified by members for further monitoring including: Environmental campaigns and fly-tipping; fuel poverty projects in the county; winter maintenance; air quality; climate change strategy and delivery plan, carbon management plan and the Heritage coast.

In addition, several additional areas had been highlighted for inclusion during 2017/18 including: future plans for the Gala Theatre to be held at the Gala Theatre, SUPs, heritage assets, cycle routes, highways and bridge maintenance, sustainable heating/energy with Professor John Gluyas and the Stockton and Darlington Bicentennial Celebrations, Household Waste Recycling Centres and Bereavement Services.

In addition to the scheduled 6 meetings of the committee between now and April 2019, a further 5 special meetings would be held focusing on:

• Environment campaigns, Fly-tipping and food waste collection;
• Joint special with Economy and Enterprise OSC on the Stockton and Darlington Bicentennial Celebrations and the Heritage Coast which will take place at Locomotion.
• Flood Risk Management Authorities for County Durham.
• Highways and bridge maintenance and HWRC’s in the county – contract.
• Sustainable Heating – Professor Gluyas and the Climate Change Strategy and Delivery Plan and the Carbon Management Plan.

There would also be the systematic review of recommendations contained in the Woodlands management review report and consideration by the committee of the Allotment Management review report.

The following visits had been identified: flood mitigation scheme in the county including SUDs schemes; Thornley Waste Transfer Station and Pity Me HWRC; Heritage Assets possibly Auckland Castle and Stainton Grove recycling centre.

The committee were asked to agree the work programme and identify a future area for focused work following the completion of the Allotment Services Review which should be concluded in January.

Councillor Martin raised concerns on the number of additional meetings.

Councillor Crute commented that the work programme should be progressed as proposed.

Following discussions on the number of additional meetings, Members agreed the work programme as set out in the report.

Resolved: (i) That the work programme as set out be agreed.

(ii) That a topic for a focused scrutiny review be determined at a later date following the completion of the current review.