Agenda and minutes

Prior to the Committee approving the minutes the Chairman requested that the Commissioning Director for Environment ensured that Members of the Committee receive a communication in relation to item 6c as document within the minutes.

The minutes of the meeting held on 8 March 2016 were approved as an accurate record. 

None.

In relation to item 11, Councillor Peter Zinkin declared a non-pecuniary interest as a road within the report is near to where he lives.   Councillor Zinkin remained in the room for the consideration of the item and took part in the decision making process.

In relation to item 11, the Chairman Councillor Dean Cohen declared a non-pecuniary interest as he is an appointed school Governor for Menorah Foundation School.  Councillor Cohen remained in the room for the consideration of the item and took part in the decision making process.

In relation to item 8, Councillor Adam Langleben declared a non-pecuniary interest as he works for the Jewish Community.  Councillor Langleben remained in the room for the consideration of the item and took part in the decision making process.

In relation to item 11, Councillor Brian Salinger declared a non-pecuniary interest as he owns an electric car. Councillor Salinger remained in the room for the consideration of the item and took part in the decision making process.

In relation to item 10, Councillor Brian Salinger declared a non-pecuniary interest as he is an appointed school Governor at Moss Hall School. Councillor Salinger remained in the room for the consideration of the item and took part in the decision making process.

None.

None.

Councillor Dean Cohen introduced the item and requested that the Committee support the intentions of his Member’s Item. The Committee supported the Members Item and the notion of the Council having a memorial garden in Hendon Park.

Having considered the report the Committee:

Resolved:

·       That the Environment Committee noted the Members Item

·       The Environment Committee supported and agreed that the Hendon Park Garden be named the ‘Sir Nicholas Winton Memorial Garden’.

·       The Committee then unanimously agreed to refer the item to a future meeting of Full Council for consideration.

The Commissioning Director for Environment introduced the item and the intentions of the report.  He informed the Environment Committee of the current contract and outlined the potential procurement activity as contained in the report. 

The Committee requested if it was viable to bring the service in house.   The Commissioning Director for Environment noted that this was an option for the Committee to consider, but could only be investigated if a contract extension was agreed.  He stated that during the 18 month period, Officers of the Council will be investigating how to deliver the service provision which will be reported to the Committee for determination.    The Chairman noted that savings are to be made during 2017/18 which the Committee noted.  

Councillor Alan Schneiderman moved the following motion to amend the recommendations of the report which was seconded by Councillor Devra Kay.

1.          That the current contract be extended for an 18 month period

2.          That the Commissioning Director be requested to investigate options to implement shared services with Neighbouring Boroughs 

3.          That Officers develop a business case for an in-house option

Having been put to the vote the Environment Committee unanimously agreed the motion.

The Environment Committee then voted on the each amended recommendation.

1.     That the current contract be extended for an 18 month period

The vote was recorded as:

For – 6

Against 5

2.     That the Commissioning Director be requested to investigate options to implement shared services with Neighbouring Boroughs 

The vote was recorded as:

For – 11

Against

3.     That Officers develop a business case for an in-house option

The vote was recorded as:

For – 11

Against

The Environment Committee therefore: 

Resolved:

·       That the Environment Committee agreed to extend the current contract with NSL for a period of 18 months.

·       That the Environment Committee noted that extension period will enable the investigation of shared contract(s) and service provision options with other neighbouring London Boroughs.

·       That Officers develop a business case for an in-house option

The Commissioning Director for Environment introduced the item and the intentions of the report.  The Chainman thanked Officers for the excellent report which the Committee noted. 

Councillor Hart requested that the Committee consider how it can strengthen the Boroughs Green infrastructure.  He requested, green walls, corridors, water features, ponds and greater habitats for birds.  He summarised that he wanted the Committee to support nature within an urban environment and therefor suggested that local groups could engage with this.

The Commissioning Director for Environment noted that appendix 3 had been printed on A3 paper and circulated for Members of the Committee.  He stated that there was an action for the Council to engage with the community.  He said that Barnet had some great parks and it was vital that the Council works with residents to maximise their potential. 

Councillor Adam Langleben, raised concerns that some of the proposals contain gated open spaces which he didn’t support.   He stated that open spaces should be open to all Members of the public.  

Councillor Claire Farrier stated that the quality of parks had deteriorated and requested that the Committee consider how the Borough can maximise their potential. 

The Commissioning Director for Environment said that there were clear challenges in balancing capital investment against reducing maintenance costs and the report was a good step to address those challenges. He said that any future decision making will be reported to the Committee for consideration.

The Committee noted the requirement of complying with any relevant regulations.  The Committee supported methods in order to control Japanese Knotweed, Himalayan Balsam and Giant Hogweed.

Having considered the report the Environment Committee:

Resolved

·       That the Environment Committee approved the adoption of the Parks and Open Spaces Strategy 2016 – 2030 and its action plan

The vote was recorded as:

For 6

Against 0

Abstain 5

·       That the Environment Committee approved the Parks and Open Spaces policies which are set out in 1.19

The vote was recorded as:

For 11

Against 0

Abstain 0

·       That the Environment Committee instructed Officers to maximise the value of external funding to support the aims of the strategy

The vote was recorded as:

For 6

Against 0

Abstain 5

·       That the Environment Committee instructed Officers to submit a capital bid as part of the Councils Capital Programme to support the aims of the strategy

The vote was recorded as:

For 11

Against 0

Abstain 0

·       That the Environment Committee requested that Officers consider how to strengthen the Borough’s green infrastructure 

The vote was recorded as:

For 11

Against 0

Abstain 0

The Commissioning Director for Environment introduced the item and summarised the report.  

The Chainman thanked Officers for the excellent report which the Committee noted. 

Having considered the report the Committee:

Resolved

·       That the Environment Committee approved the adoption of the Recycling and Waste Strategy 2016 – 2030 and its action plan

The vote was recorded as:

For 6

Against 0

Abstain 5

Prior to the determination of the second recommendation within the report Councillor Peter Zinkin proposed  a motion to amended the recommendation as captured below, this was seconded by Councillor  Joan Scannell

·       That the Environment Committee requested the Commissioning Directors for Environment and Growth & Development ensure that planning guidance and Policy, (if and where appropriate) is updated to ensure that all new developments in Barnet are designed to enable their new residents to recycle 70% of their waste, both through recycling collection facilities outside the flat and suitable storage for recycling and waste inside the flats. 

The vote was recorded as:

For 6

Against 0

Abstain 5

The motion was therefore carried and the recommendations approved. 

The Commissioning Director for Environment introduced the item and the intentions of the report.  

The Committee noted an error in Appendix A and further noted that the surface dressing in Green Lane had been deferred.  The Committee requested that Officer review the appendices to ensure that they were accurate and encouraged Officers to consult with Members in respect to this.

Having considered the report the Committee:

Resolved

·       That the Environment Committee noted the list of carriageway and footway planned maintenance schemes completed in the first four quarters of the financial year, shown in Appendix A.

·       That the Environment Committee noted the list of Section 106 schemes completed in the first four quarters of the financial year, shown in Appendix B.

·       That the Environment Committee noted the list of Local Implementation Plan (LIP) funded schemes completed in the first four quarters of the financial year, shown in Appendix C.

·       The Environment Committee noted that Powis Gardens was surface dressed but failed and was therefore resurfaced.

The Commissioning Director for Environment introduced the item and the intentions of the report.  

Councillor Dean Cohen requested that the junction of Armitage Road between Golders Green Road and the Ridgeway have double yellow lines implemented on both sides of the road.   

Councillor Graham Old requested that the moving traffic regulations be considered in respect to implementation.

Councillor Alan Schneiderman enquired on the method of how schools are able to adopt a 20mph zone and how this can be operated.  He requested that a review of a CPZ proposal is considered.

Having considered the item, the committee:

Resolved:

·       That the Committee approved the Local Implementation Plan (LIP) work programme as detailed in Appendices 1- 4 of this report to be funded from the TfL’s 2016/17 LIP allocation of £4.832 million.

·       That authority to adjust the detailed programme and funding for individual proposals as they develop to be delegated to the Commissioning Director for Environment.

·       That the Environment Committee agreed the prioritisation tool outlined at Appendix 5 for prioritising scheme requests from 2016/17 and developing future year LIP Programmes.

Ward Member Cllr Alan Schneiderman introduced the item and requested that the North Finchley CPZ be considered and included in a CPZ review.

The Chairman suggested that a full report is produced and reported to the Finchley and Golders Green Area Committee which includes all cost implications. 

Having considered the report the Environment Committee:

Resolved

·       That the Environment Committee noted the petition

·       That a report be submitted to the Environment Committee that includes financial implications and the impact to the area. 

·       That Officers consult with residents and Ward Members in regards to operational hours

Having considered the report the Environment Committee:

Resolved:

That the Environment Committee noted the work programme.

There were no urgent items.