Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies for absence had been received from Councillors Caroline Smith Kathy Clegg and Lilian Deighton.

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 23 February 2026.

That the Minutes of the Environment Scrutiny Committee held on 23 February 2026 were approved and signed by the Chair.

Council Plan Targets Performance Update.

Amar Bashir, Improvement Officer/Richard Shaw, Improvement Officer 

The Improvement Officer presented a report to the Committee summarising progress on the strategies underpinning the Council Plan objective ‘A great place that cares for the environment’ for the period ending 31 March 2026.

RESOLVED – That progress against the Council Plan “A great place that cares for the environment” objective was noted.

Overview of the Warm Home Grants (Private Sector).

Adam Horrocks, Sustainable Energy Services / Matt Evans, Sustainable Energy Services / Jayne Dethick, Director of Finance & Assets / Lee Pepper, Assistant Director of Communities

Committee received a presentation on the Warm Homes: Local Grant programme in respect to privately owned/privately rented properties being delivered across North East Derbyshire. The presentation provided an overview of the scheme’s purpose, eligibility criteria and resident journey. Members were updated on Year 1 performance, including funding levels, delivery progress and household outcomes, and were informed of lessons learned. The presentation also outlined plans to scale delivery in Years 2 and 3.

Committee discussed the presentation. Some Members queried the extent to which area targeting was in operation. Committee heard that no specific areas were being targeted and that the properties selected for improvements was entirely governed by the criteria outlined in the presentation. It was noted that by the nature of the criteria meant that pockets of selected housing would crop up.

Some Members queried the process by which the large number of applications were shortlisted. It was shared that applications are dealt with on a first come first served basis. Members also heard of the various routes by which applications drop off, which included applicants failing to provide the relevant financial information.

Committee heard that there were a number of applications from homes that achieved above an EPC C on inspection and therefore did not qualify. It was shared that in these cases, those homes still benefited from an updated EPC and a clear plan for improvements that they could implement.

Committee discussed the constraints within the Scheme, which included certain structural insulation works being beyond the budget for a single house. It was shared that in these cases there were other cost saving measures that could be offered to the applicant, for example battery and solar power, but it was important that expectations were managed. In this context, it was suggested that Councillors had an important role in managing expectations and signposting the relevant members of the public to the Scheme. It was felt that in this way the Scheme would achieve its objective of helping those that need it most. Committee suggested that Councillors should be offered training on how to brief members of the public on the Warm Homes: Local Grant scheme.

RESOLVED –

That the presentation was noted.

Overview of the Strategy and the Council’s plans for implementation.

Joy Redfern, Assistant Director of Streetscene / Cate Harris, Streetscene Coordinator

Committee received a presentation which outlined the draft Tree Management Strategy for 2026–2031. The presentation provided an overview of the purpose and scope of the Strategy, including the Council’s duty of care and responsibilities for trees on Council?owned and managed land. The presentation also highlighted current and future priorities for tree planting, biodiversity and community engagement. A supplementary report had been circulated that included the draft Tree Management Strategy 2026-2031 in full.

Committee discussed the presentation and draft Strategy. Some Members enquired about the new trees that been planted so far. Committee heard that the Council had met its target in terms of new hedgerow and was halfway to reaching its target in terms of new trees. In this context, Members heard that it was difficult to accurately say exactly how many of the new trees were replacements. Members also heard that nominations for sites for tree planting were still open.

Cllr T Lacey expressed his thanks to Cate Harris and the Team for the proactive work that had been undertaken on trees within his Ward.

RESOLVED –

That Environment Scrutiny Committee endorsed the draft Tree Management Strategy 2026–2031.

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 February 2026. 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 between 15 April and to 15 May.

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 the Committee’s Work Programme, and to also 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, that could form potential topic items for the Work Programme in the future. 

Joe Hayden, Senior Scrutiny Officer

The Senior Scrutiny Officer presented the Work Programme 2025/26 for the Committee to consider. Members heard that the 2026/27 Work Programme was being formed and suggestions were welcomed. In this context, Committee discussed items for the 2026/27 Work Programme.

RESOLVED –

That Committee signed off the Work Programme 2025/26.

To discuss the Annual Report with Committee Members.

Joe Hayden, Senior Scrutiny Officer

The Senior Scrutiny Officer updated Members on the process for pulling together the Annual Scrutiny Report - 2025/26 that would go to full Council at its meeting in July.

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

The Senior Scrutiny Officer informed Members that there was likely to be an informal meeting of the Joint Scrutiny Committee in order for the results of the Residents Survey to be shared.

The Senior Scrutiny Officer presented information on fly-tipping that had been collected as a result of queries raised at the Environment Scrutiny Committee on 23 February 2026. In this context, Committee discussed how fly-tipping fines work and the appropriate level for fines.

The next meeting of the Environment Scrutiny Committee is scheduled for July 2026, and will be confirmed once the Committee Scheduled has been agreed.

The next meeting of the Environment Scrutiny Committee was scheduled for July 2026, and would be confirmed once the Committee Scheduled has been agreed.