Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Wilkinson and Bullen.

To approve the minutes of the previous meeting.

RESOLVED: The Minutes from the previous meeting were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

Please indicate if there are any interests which should be declared.  A declaration of an interest should indicate the nature of the interest (if not already declared on the Register of Interests) and the agenda item to which it relates.  If a disclosable pecuniary interest is declared, the Member should withdraw from the room whilst the matter is discussed.

Those declarations apply to all Members present, whether the Member is part of the meeting, attending to speak as a local Member on an item or simply observing the meeting from the public seating area.

There were no declarations of interest.

To consider any business which, by reason of special circumstances, the Chair proposed to accept as urgent under Section 100(b)(4)(b) of the Local Government Act, 1972.

There was none.

Members wishing to speak pursuant to Standing Order 34 should inform the Chair of their intention to do so and what items they wish to be heard before a decision on that item is taken.  

Councillor Kemp.

If any.

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The Chair provided an update on the Urban Wildlife Informal Working Group.

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The Environmental Health Manager and Climate Change Officer presented the District Emissions report as attached.

The Chair thanked officers for the report and invited questions and comments from the Panel, as summarised below.

In response to a question from Councillor Bubb relating to emissions from the Crematorium, officers explained that the data was included in the Councils Carbon Audit and the current equipment used was quite new, ran efficiently and removed most pollutants.  When the equipment needed replacing, other options could be considered.

Councillor Kemp addressed the Panel under Standing Order 34.  She made reference to high levels due to peatland and forestry and asked how this could be improved.  The Environmental Health Manager explained that DEFRA were working on a National Peat Action Plan which was due to be published in the summer.  The Council were also in discussion with the NFU on local measures and working on monitoring and data collection.  The Climate Change Officer explained that the DEFRA Task Force were looking at improvements to agricultural land and options to preserve productive land as well as reducing emissions and protecting the peat.  Once the report had been published, local options could then be considered.

Councillor Moriarty thanked officers for their presentation but was disappointed that it had not been circulated in advance.  Officers explained that following this meeting the website would be updated, the presentation would be shared, and any further questions could be submitted to officers.

Councillor de Whalley referred to other Local Authorities who had funds to re-wet peatland, land rotation and resting land.  The Environmental Health Manager explained that a range of measures would be explored in the DEFRA National Peat Action Plan which would be published in the Summer.

The Chair commented that there were a lot of organisations looking at these issues and hoped that organisations would work together as appropriate.  The Vice Chair made reference to the Water Management Alliance and the creation of new reservoirs.

Councillor Devereux referred to the Environment Agency Study on the Future of the Fens and approaches to wetlands.  He also made reference to COP26 and the importance of the Fens.  It was also noted that an Environment Agency briefing for Councillors had been arranged for March.

The Portfolio Holder for Environment and Climate Change, Councillor Kunes, explained that the District Emissions reports also included different areas such as Industry and Transport and that these were areas which could be tackled, and work was ongoing to look at how emissions could be reduced.

RESOLVED: 1. The report was noted.

2. The Panel be kept updated on progress as required.

To consider the report and make any appropriate recommendations to Cabinet.

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The Licensing Enforcement Officer presented the Cabinet report and explained the revisions proposed for the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Procedures and Conditions.  He highlighted the changes related to Electric Vehicles, Age and Mileage.

He also outlined the consultation process and representations received.

The Chair thanked the Licensing Enforcement Officer for his report and invited questions and comments from the Panel, as summarised below.

Councillor de Whalley made reference to the age policy for Electric Vehicles and asked why mileage had not also been increased.  The Licensing Enforcement Officer explained that the mileage had not been increased as wear and tear on vehicles would be the same regardless of the type of engine.

In response to a question from Councillor Moriarty, the Licensing Enforcement Officer explained that Licence Holders had to undertake Safeguarding Training and were required to report any incidents to the Council or the Police as appropriate.  Any incident reported to the Council was held on the system and investigated as required.

Councillor Moriarty queried the track changes in the document and it was explained that the document was in a link within the Cabinet Report.

RESOLVED: That the Environment and Community Panel support the recommendations to Cabinet as set out below.

That the Council be invited to adopt the revised Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Procedures and Conditions Booklet.

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Councillor Squire presented information on her role as an Ambassador to eXXpedition which was a not-for-profit organisation that ran expeditions at sea and virtual voyages on land to understand the causes of and solutions to ocean plastic pollution.

A copy of the presentation is attached.

The Chair thanked Councillor Squire for her presentation and invited questions and comments from the Panel, as summarised below.

Councillor Moriarty asked what was gained by determining the origin of plastics and if Councillor Squire was seeking further action from the Panel.  Councillor Squire explained that the aim of her presentation was to raise awareness and the purpose of determining the origin of plastics was so that it could be tracked back to source.

RESOLVED: The Panel noted the presentation.

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Councillor de Whalley provided an update on the work of the Informal Working Group as attached

In response to a question from Councillor Moriarty, the cost of the schools competition was clarified.

Councillor Kemp addressed the Panel under Standing Order 34 and mentioned the use of plastics in supermarkets.

The Portfolio Holder, Councillor Kunes commented that loose fruit and vegetables could be packed in reusable bags or nets or just purchased loose. 

The Chair felt that Supermarkets were putting effort into reducing packaging.

The Panel also discussed items which could be recycled and food waste recycling.

Councillor de Whalley informed the Panel he would feedback comments from the Panel to the next meeting of the Informal Working Group.

RESOLVED: The update was noted.

Questions should be submitted in advance of the meeting to the Democratic Services Officer.

No questions had been submitted in advance of the meeting.

Councillor Moriarty asked if further Climate Change updates needed to be scheduled into the Work Programme.  The Chair advised that these would be brought to the Panel as and when required.

RESOLVED: The Panel’s Work Programme was noted.

To note that the next meeting of the Environment and Community Panel is scheduled to take place on 22^nd March 2022 at 4.30pm.

The next meeting of the Environment and Community Panel was scheduled to take place on 22^nd March 2022 at 4.30pm.