Issue - meetings

ES20146

The Committee noted that although the ‘Out of Hours Noise Service’ was still running using volunteers, it was still considered a risk. Consideration was being given to firmer funding and formalising the service. It was suggested that this may be a matter that could be referred back to the Executive for consideration.

The second area of risk that was discussed was with respect to the Coroner’s Service, as the Coroner had requested a significant additional financial contribution from the Council. The Director of Environment and Public Protection explained that he had met with the Coroner's Consortium the previous week and disappointedly, there had been no movement concerning the issue of Bromley’s  contribution in respect of costs to the Consortium since the previous year. The Director was due to attend another meeting with the Chief Coroner the following week. The Coroner had requested a significant increase in the financial contribution from the Council which the Director was querying. This was because no evidence had been provided to support the request for additional funding. The Director held the view that additional funding with respect to the Coroner's Service could largely be met from various COVID grants and not from the councils that were part of the consortium.

At the time of writing there was no impact on the Council's Budget.

The Coroner was also seeking funding for a second Coroner’s Court and the Director was challenging the need for this, given that activity had remained static. Members expressed the view that as the Coroner had not as yet provided sufficient justification for the proposed increased costs, the Director should maintain his current position and not agree to additional contributions to the Coroner’s Service until evidence was provided to justify the request.

RESOLVED that the Public Protection and Enforcement Risk Register be noted.