Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors F Adlington-Stringer and R Beech.

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.

There were no declarations of interest.

To approve as a correct record and the Chair to sign the Minutes of the Environment Scrutiny Committee held on 12 May 2025.

RESOLVED – That the Minutes of the Environment Scrutiny Committee held on 12 May 2025 were approved and signed by the Chair.

Overview of the plans for installing charging points across the District.

David Broom, Facilities & Contracts Manager / DCC

Committee received a presentation on the electric vehicle (EV) charge point infrastructure in North East Derbyshire. The presentation included an overview of the Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) Strategy & Action Plan, the charging types that are considered as part of the plan, and the available locations for chargers in the District. Members heard that a representative from Derbyshire County Council (DCC) was meant to have presented/provided a briefing paper for the meeting but had declined due to shifting organisational priorities, as such the available information was limited.

Committee considered the presentation. Members discussed the LEVI grant, it was shared that it covered primarily residential charging as the focus from National Government has shifted to improving the infrastructure EV charging in residential areas. In this context, Committee discussed the challenges around installing and operating the charging infrastructure that would support houses that used on-road parking. Committee also discussed the provisions that are included in planning policy for EV charging, the price of charging, the infrastructure included in the Clay Cross Active project that would support EV charging, and what there is to learn from the singular charging point hat currently exists in the District.

At the end of the discussion, Members considered how to take the topic forward. It was agreed that Officers would keep a watching brief on the situation and report back to Environment Scrutiny Committee if necessary.

RESOLVED –

That Committee noted the presentation.

To inform Committee of recent and forthcoming Cabinet business.

A digest of Cabinet decisions taken since May 2025.  This information is published by Cabinet meeting on the Council’s website.  Cabinet Agendas, Decisions and Minutes can be viewed at: Cabinet

The Forward Plan of Executive decisions.

Plans

These plans are updated to include new business.

Joe Hayden, Senior Scrutiny Officer

The Senior Scrutiny Officer presented a digest of Cabinet decisions taken since the last Committee meeting in May 2025. The digest set out key information for each decision.

The Senior Scrutiny Officer also presented Members with the Forward Plan of Executive Decisions for the period up to 15 July 2025.

RESOLVED – That the update was noted.

To contribute to major Policies being considered by the Council.

The Senior Scrutiny Officer informed the Committee that there were no major policies for Members to consider.

RESOLVED – That the update was noted.

To consider and contribute to potential changes in the operating environment which may include legislation, regulation and key projects being undertaken by the Council, for example.

The Senior Scrutiny Officer updated Members on potential significant changes in the Council’s operating environment, including changes to national legislation and regulation.

The Senior Scrutiny Officer explained that there was nothing to bring to the attention of Members.

RESOLVED – That the update was noted.

To consider the Committee’s Work Programme.

Joe Hayden, Senior Scrutiny Officer

The Senior Scrutiny Officer presented the draft Work Programme 2025/26 for the Committee to consider.

The Committee considered the Motion centred around fly-tipping that had been put forward by Councillor A Dale at the full Council meeting on 14 July 2025. The Motion had been referred to Scrutiny to take forward. Members considered the Motion and agreed to add it to the Work Programme 2025/26.

The Committee considered the Local Plan Update that was due to be considered at the November meeting. It was suggested that, if possible, the update included a focus on the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust review of available sites and the impact on Biodiversity Net Gain.

RESOLVED –

1.    That the Work Programme 2025/26 be approved.

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

None.

The next meeting of the Environment Scrutiny Committee is scheduled to take place on 1 September 2025 at 3.30 pm.

The next meeting of the Environment Scrutiny Committee was scheduled to take place on 1 September 2025 at 3.30 pm.