Agenda and minutes

Members are requested to declare the existence and nature of any disclosable pecuniary interest and/or other interest in any item on the agenda.

There were no declarations of interest.

To approve the minutes of the previous meeting held on 3 February 2020.

The minutes of the meeting held on 3 February 2020 were confirmed as a correct record.

To update Members on the Pride in Parks initiative.

In 2018 funding had been allocated to undertake improvements to the Borough owned play areas that were identified as high priority sites in the Play Strategy and to the Town and Parish Councils that maintain their own parks and outdoor recreational facilities to enable improvement and renovation works to be undertaken at these sites. Members noted the improvements made. A colleague within the Environment department had recently achieved the 35-year service award. It was confirmed that the Human Resources department would send a long service letter to the employee.

To update Members on the progress of the ‘Clean and Green’ initiative.

During the week commencing 23 March 2020 an additional litter pick took place between the IKEA roundabout and the M1 roundabout.  Both sides of the road received a full cleanse and sweep. Waste Days had been restricted due to the Covid-19 lockdown. Members discussed the volume of litter parks since the re-opening of fast food outlets. Literature would be prepared to highlight the issue with the fast food chains. It was confirmed that litter picks could go ahead and support would be given to residents wanting to be involved. Further to the issue the Strategic Director presented information regarding Carbon Footprints.

To report progress against outcome targets identified in the Environment Business Plan, linked to Corporate Plan priorities and objectives, and to provide an update as to the latest key performance indicators therein.

The Committee was updated on the Environment Business Plan. An extra team had been allocated to the garden waste collection service. The number of subscriptions to the scheme had exceeded expectations. The issue of difficult waste such as tyres was discussed.

To update Members as to the capacity for new burials at the various cemeteries and churchyards within the borough and consider the options available.

The Committee noted the short, medium and long term capacities at the 10 burial grounds in Broxtowe and the capacity for new burials. Chilwell Muslim Section had not had any burials for five years which had been due to initial ground water problems.  Nottingham City had traditionally been the location of choice for burials. It was hoped this situation would change.

RESOLVED to:

1.          Cease using Beeston Cemetery for new burials once all of the remaining grave spaces have been allocated and utilise Chilwell Cemetery as the alternative.

2.          Enter into initial negotiations with the owners of the land to the east of Stapleford Cemetery with regards to a price for the land and a potential timescale to undertake a possible extension of the burial ground.

To advise Members of, and to seek approval for, the latest Air Quality Status Report which is to be submitted to the Department of Food Environment and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).

It is a requirement of DEFRA that all local authorities in England produce an Annual Status Report (ASR) in respect of air quality. This is intended to aid local transparency, increase accessibility of air quality to the wider public audience and encourage buy-in to delivering air quality improvement measures by those best placed to assist. Members discussed the ASR recently submitted by Broxtowe.

There was currently no local equipment to monitor air quality. It was hoped that local areas would work together to purchase this. The Committee discussed how residents could be encouraged to walk and cycle more.

RESOLVED that the 2020 Air Quality Status Report be approved for submission to DEFRA.

To update Members on the subject of home composting.

A kerbside garden waste collection service was currently provided with around 20,000 residents subscribing to the scheme.  The materials collected as part of the garden waste collection are composted using an outdoor windrow system.  Due to biosecurity reasons food waste collected on a commercial scale (not individual households) can only be composted using enclosed invessel systems.  Subsequently the Council did not provide a kerbside collection service for composting of food waste. Home composting would provide residents the opportunity to dispose of food waste in an environmentally friendly way.  The Committee discussed ways to help residents with composting. Home stop off kits were proposed.

RESOLVED that the actions outlined in the recommendations for inclusion in the Climate Change and Green Futures action plan be approved.

To consider items for inclusion in the Work Programme for future meetings.

RESOLVED that the Work Programme be approved.

The Committee is asked to RESOLVE that, under SectThe Committee is asked to RESOLVE that, under Section 100A of the Local Government Act, 1972, the public and press be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

          RESOLVED that, under Section 100A of the Local Government Act, 1972, the public and press be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 1 and 2 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

Members considered further information with regards to the capacity for burials at cemeteries and churchyards.