Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors R Hall and P Wheelhouse.

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 20 May 2022.

RESOLVED – That the Minutes of the Communities Scrutiny Committee meeting held on 20 May 2022 were approved and signed as a correct record by the Chair. 

To receive an update on CCTV in Taxis – Ken Eastwood, Joint Assistant Director Environmental Health.

The Joint Assistant Director - Environmental Health Service delivered a verbal update on the progress of the CCTV in Taxis scheme. Members heard that the Council had found a CCTV system supplier and awarded them the contract, therefore the process was ahead of schedule and Licensing would hope to see installations made after September.

Members were informed that the next steps would be for Licensing to discuss the practicalities with the supplier, and for all Licence holders to be sent correspondence giving them notice of the installations.

Members enquired about protocols that would be in place relating to data protection. They were informed that the chosen supplier would have very tight data protection controls in place, and data protection training would be given to drivers and Licensing officers.

Members enquired if there were provisions in place for drivers who would be coming from outside the District (with Licences from outside the District) and no CCTV camera installed. They were informed that Licensing had asked the Government for standardisation across the board to prevent those situations.

Members suggested that the Council should clearly mark its taxis with CCTV inside, because people might want to choose them to feel safer. They also suggested that the Communications department should advertise the scheme once it was ready to begin. The Joint Assistant Director - Environmental Health Service stated that these suggestions would be considered by Licensing officers.

Members discussed controls in place for drivers who refused to install the systems in their vehicles. The Joint Assistant Director - Environmental Health Service informed them that so far, driver feedback had been positive.

RESOLVED – That Committee notes the update.

To receive an update on the Climate Change Strategy – Steve Lee, Assistant Director of Transformation and Communication.

The Assistant Director - Transformation and Communication delivered a progress report on the refresh of the Climate Change Strategy 2022-2030.

Members discussed the content of the report. They enquired if the external cladding being used was the appropriate type, and were informed that there was particular focus on cladding quality in the aftermath of the Grenfell Tower fire.

Members enquired if there were plans to bring more electronic charging points to the District. They were informed that the Estates department were investigating the possibility.

Members felt that it was also important to focus on other methods of energy consumption as well as just car fuel. They were informed that the Council would be doing a ‘Thanks a Tonne’ campaign to try and educate people on all carbon emissions.

Members suggested stricter energy controls for businesses in procurement processes. The Assistant Director - Transformation and Communication explained that this could be unfair to small businesses, as they would be unable to produce the same climate strategy as a large company.

Members enquired if the Council had considered Carbon offsets. The Assistant Director - Transformation and Communication explained that there were plans to do offsets with Derbyshire County Council.

RESOLVED – That Committee notes the update. 

Briefing on Scrutiny –

·         Setting the Scene

·         The Terms of Reference of the Committee

·         How the Committee operates, ways of working – discussion.

The Senior Scrutiny Officer explained to Members the current remit of the Communities Scrutiny Committee, including the terms of reference of the Committee and how the Committee operated. 

·         To consider the Committee’s topic for a Scrutiny Review

·         Consider what we want to look at

·         Consider stakeholders who we want to see.

Members discussed potential scrutiny review topics for Communities Scrutiny Committee to undertake during the municipal year 2022/23.

Members requested a review of Leisure and wellbeing provision for older residents.

The Senior Scrutiny Officer explained that a project plan for the review would be drafted, and Scoping and Scene Setting for the review would be discussed at the next meeting of the Committee. 

To consider the draft Work Programme for the year and any suggested items for inclusion. 

The Chair explained that based on earlier discussions about CCTV in Taxis being ahead of schedule, the entries for in in the Work Programme might need amending.

RESOLVED – That the work programme 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

The Chair requested that future Forward Plan updates to Communities Scrutiny Committee include the whole Plan in the agenda pack.

RESOLVED – That the Forward Plan of Executive Decisions 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 on Friday 2 September 2022 at 1.30 pm.

The next meeting of the Communities Scrutiny Committee would be held on Friday 16 September at 1:30pm.