Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors R Hall, T Lacey and B Lewis. 

Members are requested to declare the existence and nature of any disclosable pecuniary interests and/or other interests, not already on their register of interests, in any item on the agenda and withdraw from the meeting at the appropriate time.

Members were requested to declare the existence and nature of any disclosable pecuniary interest and/or other interest, not already on their register of interests, in any item on the agenda and withdraw from the meeting at the appropriate time.

There were no interests declared at this meeting. 

To approve as a correct record and the Chair to sign the Minutes of the Communities Scrutiny Committee held on 1 April 2022.

RESOLVED – That the Minutes of the Communities Scrutiny Committee meeting held on 1 April 2022 were approved and signed as a correct record by the Chair. 

To review the work of the Partnership – Faye Green, Community Safety Manager.

The Community Safety Manager delivered a presentation to highlight the work of the Community Safety Partnership to Members.

Members heard that figures and dates this year were compared with figures from 2019 as this avoided the abnormality presented by the pandemic.

Committee heard that crime had increased 9.1% since the previous year. These figures were on a par with Derbyshire and the nation as a whole.

The Manager detailed various areas of work within the Partnership. These included the Domestic Abuse Act, Prevent Strategy, Target Hardening Project and Community Trigger. Members also heard about the tools and powers that could be utilised by the Partnership and that over the past year they had successfully obtained one Criminal Behaviour Order, one Suspended Possession Order, and Community Protection Warnings in addition to many more.

Members discussed the presentation at length. In particular they discussed the use of cameras to collect evidence, Parish Council meetings and community walkabouts. Members heard that they could refer people directly to these services.

It was agreed that the presentation would be circulated following the meeting. 

To consider the service’s performance including recycling – Darren Mitchell, Streetscene and Waste Services Manager.

Committee considered the performance of Streetscene including recycling. Members viewed a presentation that highlighted Grounds Maintenance and Waste Collection Services’ aims and Developments. The presentation also detailed the resources available to Streetscene. These included; 135 frontline staff, 160 fleet vehicles and a service revenue budget of £3.97 million and £10 million capital operating assets.

Members discussed the presentation, in particular they enquired into fly tipping, disposal of household waste and litter.

The Streetscene and Waste Services Manager informed Members that domestic waste had increased since the beginning of the pandemic, they had noted more fly tipping and the annual total of residual / domestic waste had increased by 5000 tonnes together with a reduction in recycling collected during this period, this had a negative effect on the District annual recycling rate.

Members enquired about green waste collections and charging for the service, the Manager explained that NEDDC had commitments to Derbyshire County Council, the disposal authority, to deliver a required tonnage of organic waste until 2025 which was free of charge to the Council. Should the Council charge for the service then these volumes would reduce and the Council would have to pay for separate disposal costs which would result in a failure to meet commitment’s to deliver organic waste to the DCC disposal facility, however the Council may gain recycling credits for this service which may offset the disposal charges.

Committee also heard that teams were required to collect any litter before they undertook grass cutting works. The Council’s Environmental Health Department would undertake enforcement action against any fly tippers should evidence be provided.

It was agreed that the Presentation would be circulated following the end of the meeting. 

To consider how the Action Plan is being addressed – Obesity in Younger Residents – Matt Broughton, Director of Growth and Assets.

The Director of Growth & Assets updated Committee on the previous scrutiny review – obesity in young people.

Committee heard that departments of leisure, planning, policy and streetscene had been working together on a briefing note which had been viewed by Cabinet. Cabinet had decided that more time was needed to discuss the document and at present it existed as a status report. The Director stressed that this was the overarching policy and that certain elements, such as engaging with youth over the plans, were not included within the document but would still be taking place.

It was noted that potential funding streams were available such as the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and Pocket Parks Funding.

Committee were informed that through consultation areas that were seen to have worked in the past included facilities without an instructor that did not require advanced booking in order to be used.

Members discussed a range of concerns such as vandalism, investment in parks currently within the District, and the importance of not focussing on any one particular age group and engaging with youth over any proposals. 

Report of the Joint Assistant Director – Environmental Health, Ken Eastwood.

Committee received a summary update with regard to the implementation of CCTV systems in Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicles. The report followed on from the previous meeting of the Committee in order to clarify points and answer queries.

Members heard that procurement papers had been dispatched and suppliers had until 24 June to respond. The process should be completed by the end of March 2023.

Committee appreciated the report and timeline but requested more detail to be included onto the timeline.

RESOLVED – That Committee:-

1.    Noted the work underway to deliver this project and the proposed implementation timeline.

2.    Acknowledged that the delivery timetable will be subject to further discussion with the Portfolio Holder for Licensing.

To agree the draft report for scrutiny review. 

Members were asked to finalise the Draft Scrutiny Review Report. The Committee noted that if agreed, the Review Report would be submitted to Cabinet with a series of recommendations. If the recommendations were to be accepted an action plan would be developed by a Lead Officer in regards to delivering the Committee’s recommendations.

RESOLVED – That the Scrutiny Review Report be agreed and submitted to Cabinet. 

To monitor the implementation of previous Committee and review the recommendations.

The Committee was presented with a report that outlined the recommendations of the Council’s Overview and Scrutiny Committees during the course of the Municipal Year. The information had been provided to members so that they could monitor the recommendations and their outcomes.

RESOLVED – That the update be noted. 

To consider the Forward Plan of Executive Decisions.  Please note, the most up-to- date Forward Plan of Executive Decisions can be accessed via the following link:-

https://democracy.ne-derbyshire.gov.uk/mgListPlans.aspx?RPId=1137&RD=0&bcr=1

RESOLVED – That the Forward Plan of executive decisions be noted.

To consider whether the Committee’s Work Programme has been completed at year end.

RESOLVED – That the work programme be noted. 

To consider any other matter which the Chair of the meeting is of the opinion should be considered as a matter of urgency.

There were no additional urgent items. 

The next meeting of the Communities Scrutiny Committee is scheduled to take place in the new Municipal Year.  

The next meeting of the Communities Scrutiny Committee would be held on Friday 8 July at 1:30pm.