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 1 February 2021.

The minutes of meeting held on 1 February 2021 were confirmed and signed as a correct record.

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.

Members were advised of the latest Air Quality Status Report which was to be submitted to the Department of Food Environment and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).

Each year, DEFRA requires all local authorities in England to produce an Annual Status Report (ASR) in respect of air quality. The production of an ASR 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 queried the cost of procuring real time air quality monitors and whether any funding streams could be tapped into to acquire the real time monitors.

RESOLVED that the 2021 Air Quality Status Report for submission to DEFRA be approved.

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

Members were updated on the progress of the Clean and Green initiative. The Clean and Green Initiative supports the Council’s corporate vison of a greener, safer, healthier Broxtowe where everyone prospers, and to protect the environment for the future.

The Committee raised concerns regarding the Resident Engagement Platform and the lack support from local business to provide the rewards.

An amendment was proposed by Councillor L Fletcher and seconded by Councillor S Easom, that the Resident Engagement Platform be deferred in order for a full business case to be developed. On being put to the Committee the amendment was defeated as the project was time critical and a delay would prevent the delivery in time for COP26 in line with the details in the report.

The Committee further discussed a community award scheme for residents who have assisted with supporting environmental issues.

RESOLVED that the purchase of the Resident Engagement Platform be approved.

To provide members with an update on the progress of the following strands in the Climate Change and Green Futures programme:

·       Water courses

·       Meadow planting/wildflower corridors

·       Tree planting.

The Committee was provided with an update on the progress of the strands in the Climate Change and Green Futures programme including water courses, meadow planting/wildflower corridors and tree planting. Members queried how many trees were required for planting in order to achieve the carbon offset targets.  This figure is currently unknown as trees will only play a part in the offsetting arrangements needed moving forward.  The Forestry Commission has issued guidance and an approach that can be followed to determine the amount of carbon sequestered.  The Council will be looking to follow this new arrangement to inform the current/ future position. 

RESOLVED that the 2021/22 proposal across the 3 strands be approved.

To seek approval for the Litter Strategy.

The Council’s corporate aim is to protect the environment for the future. A key part of this is keeping the Borough clean and free from litter.  The Committee requested that the option for more mixed general waste and recycling bins in town centres be explored. It was reported that due to the design of some of these bins, the currently installed mixed general waste and recycling bins in town centres have been removed due to their design and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Members requested that the Council explore further engagement with local business, especially takeaway food business, to reduce litter in town centres.

RESOLVED that the Litter Strategy be approved.

To advise members of a proposal from Phoenix Inham Football Club to enter into 10-year lease with the Borough Council for the pavilion at Inham Nook Recreation Ground.

Members considered the request from Phoenix Inham Football Club to enter into 10-year lease with the Borough Council for the pavilion at Inham Nook Recreation Ground. The club was created as a community facility to serve local people.

It was noted that the report contained an error, in which the Finances and Resources Committee granted the Phoenix Inham Football Club £9,000 and not £11,000 as stated.

RECOMMENDED to the Policy and Performance Committee that the Council, subject to agreeing Heads of Terms with Phoenix Inham Football Club, grant a 10-year lease, for the pavilion at Inham Nook Recreation Ground to Phoenix Inham Football Club.

The granting of the lease will be subject to the following;

1.    Confirmation of the legal structure of the football club and Phoenix Inham Community Foundation.

2.    A clause in the Heads of Terms prohibiting the Pavillion, the Phoenix Inham Football Club and the Phoenix Inham Community Foundation from endorsing, promoting and advertising a political party, the candidates of a political party or the policies of a political party.

3.    A protocol to ensure that the financial viability of the Phoenix Inham Football Club and the Inham Phoenix Community Foundation does not put the finances of the Council at risk.

The Heads of Terms should be approved by the leaders of the Labour, Conservative and Liberal Democrat Groups before the lease is granted.

Items 9.1, 9.2 and 9.3 are reports for noting by the Committee and are circulated separately with this agenda.

The Committee noted the Salary Sacrifice Car Lease Scheme. Clarity was provided to state that the scheme would come to Council at no cost, including any damage or extra mileage undertaken by the employee.

Members received an updated on the progress made with the Council’s Climate Change and Green Futures programme and the Communications Campaign Plan supporting the programme. The Commitee requested that a base line figure be produced in order to effectively track progress toward the delivery of the net Carbon neutral goal set within the Programme.

The Committee noted the progress against outcome targets identified in the Environment Business Plan, linked to Corporate Plan priorities and objectives.

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

Members considered the Work Programme. It was requested that reports on rewilding appropriate parts of cemetery land, agricultural, and living Christmas trees be added to the Work Programme.  Tree planting and electric charging facilities were already included as actions within the Transport and Fleet and Tree Planting project strands.

RESOLVED that the Work Programme, as amended, be approved.