Issue - meetings

ECS Draft Portfolio Plan

Meeting: 16/03/2023 - Environment and Community Services Policy Development and Scrutiny Committee (Item 32)

32 ECS DRAFT PORTFOLIO PLAN pdf icon PDF 423 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

ES20257

 

A Member queried when the residential electric vehicle charging infrastructure project report would be presented to the committee as there was no mention of it in the work programme. It was clarified that the report would be presented to the committee no later than March 2024. A Member commented that she was disappointed that there was no mention of air quality and PM 2.5 in the Draft Portfolio Plan. Members were reminded that a report on air quality was scheduled for the September 2023 meeting. A discussion took place regarding green garden waste recycling sites and the Director stated that there were other green garden recycling sites apart from Waldo Rd and that details regarding these would be forwarded the day after the meeting.

 

(Post meeting note: This information was sent to Cllr Ireland (who raised the issue) on 22nd March by the Head of Environmental Strategy, Tech Support & Commissioning.)

 

A Member expressed frustration regarding utility companies and the fact that often they did not make sufficiently adequate repairs to roads in the borough after digging them up. She said that they were tearing up the borough’s roads.

The Assistant Director for Highways responded and said the Council had no direct control over utility companies and that a change in the law was required. The Chairman said that he was hoping to secure a meeting with Thames Water by the end of April.

 

(Post Meeting Note: The meeting with Thames Water was subsequently confirmed for 25th April at 6pm)

 

The committee discussed the issue of the collection and disposal of nitrous oxide containers. It was explained that the small bullet like containers could be placed in a normal recycling box. The larger containers were sometimes picked up in the course of fly tipping collections. These were taken by Veolia to Waldo Road and stored in a cage because of issues with compressed gas. The Council were in discussions with Veolia as to how to dispose of these containers. An update would be provided at the next meeting. The committee was informed that the local MP Bob Stewart had written to the Government concerning this matter, seeking a review and possible tightening up of licencing laws concerning the selling of nitrous oxide. The Vice-Chairman suggested that it may be prudent if the Portfolio Holder also drafted a similar letter.

 

RESOLVED: 

 

1) That the residential electric vehicle charging infrastructure project report would be presented to the Committee no later than March 2024.

 

2) That an update would be provided at the next meeting concerning the collection and disposal of nitrous oxide containers.

 

3) That the Environment and Community Services Portfolio Holders be recommended to endorse the outcomes, aims and performance measures set out in the draft 2023/2024 Environment and Community Services Draft Portfolio Plan.