Agenda and minutes

To receive details of any Members appointed to attend the meeting instead of a Member of the Committee.

Councillor Desayrah for Councillor Udall and Councillor Stephen for Councillor Cross.

To receive any declarations of interest.

None.

Of the meeting held on 18^th July 2023 to be approved and signed.

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting held on 24^th July 2023 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

That the Committee 

1.       notes the work undertaken during 2023;

2.       endorse the proposed Gull Control work programme for 2024 as detailed in Section 3 of the Report, including the undertaking of a gull population survey; and

3.       recommends to Policy and Resources Committee the approval of £4,700 to undertake the gull population survey, through re-purposing of existing reserves.

The Committee considered a report on the work undertaken during 2023 and the proposed Gull Control work programme for 2024. Mark Cox, Worcestershire Regulatory Services presented the report and highlighted the main points. He responded to questions and comments from Committee Members.

The next scheduled Gull Survey was due to take place in 2024. To be able to provide clarity on the gull population for licence applications to Natural England and to realise the benefits in knowledge that a survey brings, an additional £4,700 budget uplift would be required.

RESOLVED: That the Committee agree to:

1.   note the work undertaken during 2023;

2.   endorse the proposed Gull Control work programme for 2024 as detailed in Section 3 of the report, including the undertaking of a gull population survey; and

3.   recommend to Policy and Resources Committee the approval of £4,700 to undertake the gull population survey, through re-purposing of existing reserves.

Up to a total of fifteen minutes can be allowed, each speaker being allocated a maximum of five minutes, for members of the public to present a petition, ask a question or comment on any matter on the Agenda or within the remit of the Committee.

Chris Thorp, site representative for Northwick Road Allotments, spoke and raised several points regarding the allotments service, arising from the recent review of fees, and the associated concessions policy. In summary, he raised concern about the proposed rent increases and requested further information to justify the proposals, including details of employee costs. He also raised the concessions policy, which he considered was being mis-applied; the difference between the role of site representative and site coordinator and the election process, which he considered should be reviewed; and the fencing and gateways project at Northwick Road Allotments, as the main gate needs widening, and this should be to the left not to the right, as proposed. He asked if Officers could speak to him regarding these issues and other related matters. The Chair thanked Chris Thorp and advised him that an Officer will contact him.

That the Committee delegate authority to the Corporate Director -Operations, Homes and Communities in consultation with Chair and Vice-Chair of Environment Committee to implement the Order subject to any changes required following consultation feedback received.

The Committee considered a report on a proposal to make a Variation Order to the Worcester City Council (Off-Street Parking Places) Order 2023 in order to implement and enforce the provision of dual charge points in Tallow Hill car park and King Street car park. The Deputy Director – Policy and Strategy presented the report and summarised the main points of the scheme and the changes required to implement the proposals. The report explained that the required public consultation started on 12 October and must run for a minimum of 21 days. The Council will also need consent from the County Council in order to make the Variation Order.

The Deputy Director responded to questions and comments from Committee Members. In response to a question about providing EV charging points for coaches, he advised that Officers will explore this.

Committee Members expressed support for the proposal to proceed with implementation of the Order.

RESOLVED: That the Committee delegate authority to the Corporate Director – Operations, Homes and Communities in consultation with the Chair and Vice Chair of Environment Committee to implement the Order, subject to any changes required following consultation feedback received.

That the Committee

1.       note the contents of the report and the ongoing work to ensure compliance with the Environment Act 2021; and

2.       approve the draft ‘first considerations’ biodiversity duty action plan outlined in Appendix A.

The Committee considered a report on the implications of the Act for the Council. The Deputy Director – Policy and Strategy presented the report and explained that there are new duties relating to biodiversity, nature recovery and waste arising from the Act. He summarised the main actions required. Defra had outlined a number of key actions which local authorities should consider taking, alongside a more detailed checklist. Public authorities were required to complete their first consideration of what action to take for biodiversity by 1 January 2024, and must agree policies and objectives as soon as possible after this. A draft action plan that fulfils this requirement for first consideration was appended to the report. The Corporate Director – Operations, Homes and Communities commented on the proposals to implement these actions. The

The Corporate Director and the Sustainability Team Leader responded to questions and comments from Committee Members on detailed aspects of the action plan.

Committee Members expressed support for the first draft, as proposed.

RESOLVED: That the Committee:

1.   note the contents of the report and the ongoing work to ensure compliance with the Environment Act 2021; and

2.   approve the draft ‘first considerations’ biodiversity duty action plan outlined in Appendix A to the report.

That the committee note the contents of this report and in particular:

1.   the initial work to refresh the Environmental Sustainability Strategy 2020-2030, agreed in 2020 and scheduled for a refresh every three years; and

2.   updates on progress delivering the sustainability action plan and biodiversity action programme.

The Committee received its twice-yearly update on progress to deliver the Environmental Sustainability Strategy Action Plan 2022-24. The Sustainability Team Leader presented the report and summarised the main points. Officers responded to questions and comments from Committee Members.

RESOLVED: That the Committee note the contents of the report and in particular:

1.   the initial work to refresh the Environmental Sustainability Strategy 2020-2030, agreed in 2020 and scheduled for a refresh every three years; and

2.   updates on progress delivering the sustainability action plan and biodiversity action programme.

That the Committee notes the content of the report and progress made to date.

The Committee received a report on work undertaken to establish baseline data on species present in different wards and habitat conditions. The Head of City Services presented the report and explained that this information is not currently mapped or accessible. This baseline data is required as the Council takes account of the new duties within the Environment Act 2021. She summarised the work that has been undertaken to date in support of the Action Plan. Officers responded to questions and comments from Committee Members. Members were advised that they should contact the Head of Services if they have any suggestions for projects within their Ward.

RESOLVED: That the Committee note the contents of the report and progress made to date.

That the Committee

1.       note the Budgets for the various services identified for 2023/24; and

2.       note the progress made in delivering the projects included in the City Plan and City Delivery Fund that are relevant to this Committee and confirms the programme of work resourced.

The Committee considered a report on the Budget for Environment Committee for 2024/25 and the Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) to 2028/29.

The Corporate Director – Finance and Resources presented the report and highlighted the main issues. Committee Members were encouraged to contact him and/or the Head of Finance to discuss suggestions of potential service improvements and/or re-prioritisation of budgets and to request any further details or points of clarification as outlined in Appendix 1.

The Committee’s attention was drawn to paragraph 3.4 of the report which identified areas for cost reduction and/or income improvement.  A summary of the changes were highlighted, together with relevant budget changes to this committee.

There were no recommendations to change emphasis for the services’ income and expenditure allocations.

RESOLVED: That the Committee agree to:

1.   note the budgets for the various services identified for 2024/25; and

2.   note the progress made in delivering the projects included in the City Plan and City Delivery Fund that are relevant to this Committee and confirms the programme of work resourced.

That the Environment Committee notes the Council’s quarter 2 performance for 2023/24.

.

The Committee considered a report on the Council’s Quarter 2 performance for Environment Committee for 2023/24. The Corporate Director – Operations, Homes and Communities presented the report and highlighted the main points.

There were no questions from Committee Members.

RESOLVED: That the Committee note the Council’s quarter 2 performance report for 2023/24.

That the Committee 

1.       note the contents of the report, and in particular the approval obtained from The Department of Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) confirming the requirement to submit to them, a Worcester City Air Quality Action Plan by December 2024; and

2.       note that a further report will be presented to this Committee in June 2024, seeking approval to consult on a draft Worcester City Air Quality Action Plan for a 3-month period, subject to feedback from DEFRA.

The Committee considered a report on the development of an Air Quality Action Plan, in response to declaring the Worcester City Air Quality Management Area. The Corporate Director – Operations, Homes and Communities presented to the report and explained that submission of the Plan has been delayed. The purpose of the report explained the reasons for the delay and the recent communication between Worcestershire Regulatory Services on the Council’s behalf and DEFRA on this matter.

Whilst reports on air Quality have previously been submitted to the Licensing and Environmental Health Committee, given the development of an Air Quality Action Plan is both a technical and policy matter, it was considered necessary for a Policy Committee of the Council to jointly oversee its development through to formal submission.

The Plan needs to be developed in collaboration with Worcestershire County Council.

The Corporate Director responded to questions and comments from Committee Members.

A further report will be presented to this Committee in June 2024, seeking approval to consult on a draft Plan.

RESOLVED:  That the Committee:

1.   note the contents of the report, and in particular the approval obtained from The Department of Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) confirming the requirement to submit to them, a Worcester City Air Quality Action Plan by December 2024; and

2.   note that a further report will be presented to this Committee in June 2024, seeking approval to consult on a draft Worcester City Air Quality Action Plan for a 3-month period, subject to feedback from DEFRA.

Which in the opinion of the Chair is of sufficient urgency as to warrant consideration.

None.