Agenda and minutes

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Environment Committee held on 11 January 2018 be approved.

Councillor Alon Or-bach gave his apologies for absence. Councillor Nagus Narenthira was in attendanc for him as a Substitute Member. 

Councillor Dr Devra Kay gave her apologies for absence. 

Councillor A Slocombe declared a non-Disclosable Pecuniary interest in relation to item . She started that he was a School Governor at Whitefields School.

Councillor Dean Cohen declared a non-pecuniary interest.  He started that he was  governor of Menorah Foundation School.

None

None

Cuts to Street Cleaning – Cllr Alan Scheiderman

Councillor Alan Schneiderman introduced his Members Item and requested that the Committee considered the impact of the hours cut of street cleansing staff. 

Having considered the report the Committee unanimously:

Resolved:

-       That the Committee noted the item

West London Orbital Rail Link – Cllr Phil Cohen

Councillor Phil Cohen introduced his Members Item and requested that the Committee noted and welcomed the adoption of the West London Orbital Rail service as part of the transport strategy.   Members supported this and outlined that there will be a close working relationship with the Asset, Regeneration and Growth Committee on the issue.

Having considered the report the Committee unanimously:

Resolved:

-       That the Committee noted the item

The Poor State of BT Phone Boxes – Cllr Dr Devra Kay

Councillor Alan Schneiderman introduced Councillor Dr Devra Kay’s Members in her absence.  He requested that members supported the item.   He outlined the poor state of some telephone boxes within the Borough. 

Having considered the report the Committee unanimously:

Resolved:

-       That the Committee noted the item

-       That the Committee agreed that the Commissioning Director for Environment be requested to produce a report on the conditions of phone boxes in the Borough. 

Closure of North Finchley Post Office – Cllr Alon Or-Bach

Councillor Nagus Narenthira introduced the item in the absence of Councillor Alon Or-Bach.

Councillor Peter Zinkin moved that the Commissioning Director for Environment be requested to write to the Post Office to explain that residents have outlined concerns.  He added that the correspondence should outline that the Committee would like to know what the access is for all pedestrians.   This was seconded by Councillor Graham Old and agreed by the Committee. 

Having considered the report the Committee unanimously:

Resolved:

-       That the Committee noted the item

-       That the Committee agreed that the Commissioning Director for Environment be requested to write to the Post Office to explain that residents have outlined concerns.  The Committee further agreed that the correspondence should outline that the Committee would like to know what the access is for all pedestrians. 

Basing Hill Park – Cllr Peter Zinkin

Councillor Peter Zinkin introduced his Members Item and requested that the Committee supported his item.   He requested that Officers conduct a feasibility study for the proposal and the options for funding.

Having considered the report the Committee unanimously:

Resolved:

-       That the Committee noted the item

-       That the Committee agreed that the Commissioning Director for Environment be requested to conduct a feasibility study for the proposal and the options for funding 

The Strategic Director for Environment introduced the item and the intentions of the report.  He requested that the Committee considered endorsement of the draft masterplan as the first stage in the definition and implementation of the longer-term vision for the sites.

Having considered the report, the Environment Committee unanimously:

Resolved:

The Environment Committee endorsed the draft masterplan for the Copthall Sports Hub and the adjoining Mill Hill Open Spaces and agreed that the draft masterplan is subject to public and stakeholder consultation with the outcome being reported to a future meeting of the Committee together with the Outline Business Case for its development and operation.

The Chairman, Councillor Dean Cohen introduced the report.  He reminded the Committee of this Members item that was reported to the meeting held on Tuesday 07 November 2017.  He stated that he did not agree with the Officer recommendation and he added that he was in support of the alternative recommendations located at section 3 of the report.

The Chairman moved that the options highlighted in section 3 be adopted.  This was seconded by Councillor Peter Zinkin.  This was then put to the vote and unanimously:

Resolved:

The Environment Committee considered the report and as a result clarified the existing Bin Capacity Policy agreed in January 2013, so that when residents have had a specific size bin/capacity of residual waste that while they are at that address their existing provision, to the nearest container available, will be provided should the bins need replacing other than due to the fault of the resident, at a cost to the resident. The cost for 2017/18 and 2018/19 will be £58.41 per replacement container, above an allowance of one 240 litre wheeled bin per property which will be provided free of charge.

The Strategic Director for Environment introduced the item.  The Committee considered an overview of performance for Quarter 3 2017/18 including the budget position for revenue and capital progress on key activities, indicators that have not met targets, and high-level risks for the Theme Committee in relation to the Commissioning Plan.

Having considered the report, the Environment Committee were requested to vote on the reports recommendation

Resolved:

The Committee noted and reviewed the finance, performance and risk information in relation to the Theme Committee’s Commissioning Plan.

The vote recorded was:

For 6

Against 4

The Strategic Director for Environment introduced the item and gave a summary of road safety in the Borough. 

Having considered the report, the Environment Committee unanimously:

Resolved:

That the Environment Committee agreed the approach set out in paragraph 1.56 that, in conjunction with development of the long-term transport strategy for the borough and the new Local Implementation Plan, a Road Safety Strategy for the Borough be developed that will:

·         set casualty reduction targets for Barnet aimed at supporting the vision of zero KSI casualties by 2041;

·         continue to develop programmes of Education, Training and Publicity to support Casualty Reduction; further develop engineering solutions that will reduce road danger, including

·         major proposals for town centres on main roads; noting a reduction in LIP funding in 2018/19 as confirmed by TfL in December 2017

·         strengthen the agenda for work with other stakeholders to reduce road danger and casualties

The Strategic Director for Environment introduced the item and requested that the Committee give consideration to the work programme funded from the ‘Corridors, Neighbourhoods and Supporting Measures’ programme of the 2018/19 Local Implementation Plan (LIP) allocation provided by Transport for London.

Councillor Alison Cornelius moved a motion which requested that the Chairman be requested to write to the Mayor of London and deputy mayor of transport to reconsider the funding approach for the Borough.  This was seconded by Councillor John Hart.  The Committee was requested to vote on this which was unanimously agreed.

Councillor Graham Old noted that Temples Crescent CPZ consultation be reviewed and therefore he requested that Officers consider this location. 

Having considered the, report the Committee unanimously:

Resolved

-       That the Committee approve the Local Implementation Plan (LIP) initial work programme for “Corridors, Neighbourhoods and Supporting Measures” as detailed in Appendices1-4 of this report to be funded from the 2018/19 LIP allocation.

-       That the Committee grant delegated authority to the Strategic Director for Environment to adjust the detailed programme and funding for individual proposals as they develop.

-       That the Committee noted that funding for Principal Road maintenance has not been provided for 2018/19.

-       That the Chairman be requested to write to the Mayor of London and deputy mayor of transport to reconsider the funding approach for the Borough

The Strategic Director for Environment introduced the item.  He requested that the committee consider the delivery of the 2018/19 Highway Planned Maintenance, Network Recovery Plan (NRP) Work Programme and the recommendations contained in the report.

The Committee requested that the figures highlighted in 5.2.2 be reviewed. 

Having considered the report and subject to the review of the figures contained in section 5.2.2 and a suggested amendment by Councillor Alison Cornelius that a Northiam Road be taken of the micro list and the reserve list for surfacing the Environment Committee unanimously

Resolved:

·         That the Committee approves the capital expenditure of £6.219 million for the delivery of the 2018/19 Planned Maintenance and Network Recovery Plan Work Programme consisting of carriageway and footway renewal works as listed in Appendix A of this report.

·         That the Committee notes the changes to the Work Programme as a result of Ward Member consultation and engagement, as set out in Appendix A of this report.

·         That the Committee agrees the proposed investment proportions detailed in paragraph 5.2.3 of this report.

·         That the Strategic Director for Environment is authorised to alter the programme of carriageway and footway renewal works.

·         That subject to the overall costs being contained within agreed budgets, the Strategic Director for Environment is authorised to instruct Re to implement the schemes proposed in Appendix A by placing orders with the Council’s term maintenance contractors or specialist contractors appointed in accordance with the public procurement rules and or the Council’s Contract Procedure Rules as appropriate.

·         That Northiam Road be taken of the micro list and the reserve list for surfacing

Resolved:

That the Committee noted the work programme.

The Chairman allowed Councillor Alan Schneiderman to note some environmental issues following a fire in the location of the Welsh Harp.    He requested support for this and noted the Environment Agency were dealing with issue.

Resolved:

That the Committee noted the issue.