Agenda and minutes

The Committee agreed to make minor amendments to the minutes of the meeting that took place on 08 November. 

Councillor Schneiderman moved to amend:

-        Item 6, ‘Footways Treatments’ paragraph 4 line one.  To delete ‘Committee noted’ and replace with ‘That the Governance Officer in attendance stated that…’

-        Item 7, to insert that he spoke in favour of the North Finchley CPZ

-        Item 7, to insert ‘small’, to read ‘small consultation’.

-        That the headings on page 4 be amend to reflect the correct items

-        That paragraph 3 be amended to delete the last 4 words ‘unanimously agreed’ 

Having considered the above the Committee agreed the amendments and therefore the minutes were signed as an accurate record.

An apology of absence was received from Councillor Devra Kay (who was replaced by Councillor Laurie Williams), Councillor Alison Cornelius (who was replaced by Councillor Sury Khatri) and an apology was received by Councillor Alon Or-bach who left during the meeting (who was replaced by Councillor Nagus Narenthira). 

A non-pecuniary interest was made by Councillor Sury Khatri.  He stated that he had met with Mill Hill Bowling Club.  Councillor Khatri took part in the consideration and voting process.

A non-pecuniary interest was made by Councillor Adam Langleben in respect to item 11. He outlined that he was a trustee of West Hendon Trust and confirmed that Barratt Homes was also a trustee.  Councillor Langleben took part in the consideration and decision making process.

A non-pecuniary interest was made by Councillor Adam Langleben in respect to item 4.  Councillor Langleben stated during the public engagement and participation section of the meeting that he knew Mr Geoff Johnson. Councillor Langleben took part in the consideration and decision making process.

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

The Chairman Councillor Dean Cohen declared non-pecuniary interest in regards to item 8 as he is a governor of Menorah Foundation School.  Councillor Cohen remained in the room for the consideration of the item and took part in the decision making process

Councillor Adam Langleben declared non-pecuniary interest in regards to item 8 as he was a former governor of Colindale primary School.  Councillor Adam Langleben remained in the room for the consideration of the item and took part in the decision making process

None.

The Environment Committee noted the details of public questions that had been submitted by residents who were given the opportunity of asking a supplementary question.  Mrs Mary O’Connor asked supplementary questions and these were verbally responded to. 

Mr Barry Cormody, Mr Ron Smith and Mr Geoff Johnson addressed the Committee and made a public comment in relation to item 10.   Following each Public Comment Members of the Committee were given the opportunity to ask questions.

Alon Or-bach - Pavement and Road Gritting

Councillor Alon Or-bach introduced the item and requested that the Committee supported his Member’s Item.

Having considered the Member’s Item the Environment Committee: 

Resolved:

-        That the Commissioning Director for Environment be requested to revise the list of roads into alphabetical order

-        That the Committee requested that web-platform functionality be improved to enable a search function if possible.

-        That  the Area Committee Members receive information that outlines the schedule for gritting of pavements and roads

Alan Schneiderman – Road Safety in Friary Road N12

Councillor Alan Schneiderman introduced the item and requested that the Committee support his Member’s Item.   He requested that a site visit take place and proposals be considered for implementation. 

Councillor Geoff Cooke spoke in relation to this item as a Ward Member.  He outlined his support for the item and highlighted the need for traffic calming measures within the road.

Having considered the Member’s Item the Environment Committee: 

Resolved:

·       That officers access Friary Road agaist the agreed assessment tool for potential inclusion in the 2017/18 LiP programme. If the road is not assessed as a priority, a report be submitted to the appropriate Area Committee that outlines a road safety scheme for Friary Road that could be funded through the area committee process

Adam Langleben Orbital Rail in Barnet

Councillor Adam Langleben introduced his Member’s item and requested that Members of the Committee provide support.

Having considered the Member’s Item the Environment Committee: 

Resolved:

·       That officers consider orbital rail routes as part of the development of a sustainable transport strategy for the Borough.

The Commissioning Director for Environment introduced the item.  He outlined progress to date in regard to the implementation of CCTV cameras, and requested that additional sites were added to the current list for future development.

Councillor Peter Zinkin requested that the site Locations for implementation in 2017 as outlined in Appendix 1 of the report include the Vale, highlighting weight restriction. 

The Committee noted that this report will be included in the Committee work programme and reported on an annual basis.  

Having considered the report the Environment Committee:

Resolved

·       That the Environment Committee noted the contents of the report.

·       That the Environment Committee approved the 13 additional sites (Phase 3) for Traffic Enforcement in 2017 detailed in Appendix 1 of this report and the additional insertion of the Vale as highlighted above.

·       That the Environment Committee approved the siting of Moving Traffic Contravention Enforcement cameras at all schools and traffic junctions so that consideration may be given to siting Moving Traffic Contravention Enforcement cameras at any school or traffic junction in the future without the need to keep returning for Committee approval.

·       That authority was delegated to the Commissioning Director Environment to approve the deployment of future CCTV Traffic Enforcement Cameras to any newly designed schemes (schools or other locations) which ward Member will be advised off.

The Commissioning Director for Environment introduced the item and the intentions of the report.  He updated the Committee on progress during the 3rd Quarter of delivery of the2016-17 Network Recovery Plan (NRP) Highways Planned Maintenance work programmeat a total investment of £10m.

The Committee gave consideration to the item and therefore:

Resolved:

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

·       That the Environment Committee noted the list of Section 106 schemes completed and in progress in the third quarter of the financial year, shown in Appendix B.

·       That the Environment Committee noted the list of Local Implementation Plan (LIP) funded schemes completed and in progress in the third quarter of the financial year, shown in Appendix C, and approved the up-dated programme shown in Appendix C.

The Commissioning Director for Environment introduced the item.  He provided the Environment Committee with a summary of the activityundertaken by Regulatory Services (excluding Private Sector Housing) in the financial year2015/16.

The Service Director for Regulatory Services, gave a verbal representation of the key elements contained within the report as outlined in appendix 1 of the report. 

The Committee gave consideration to the item and therefore:

Resolved:

·       That the Environment Committee noted the Regulatory Services operations report for 2015/16 in Appendix 1.

·       That the Environment Committee instruct the Commissioning Director for Environment to submit an operations report to the Committee annually for information on activity which also sets out priorities for the coming year.

·       That the Environment Committee requested that an annual Regulatory Service report be added to the Committee’s work programme. 

The Commissioning Director for Environment introduced the item and the intentions of the report.   He outlined that bowls facilities are estimated to cost the Council £111k in the current financial year (2016/17).  The Committee were requested to consider the Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) that included a reduction in the annual cost to the Council of providing the bowls facilities of £100k.

The Committee gave consideration to the item and in doing so considered the public comments which were made earlier in the meeting.  The Committee noted support for a sustainable future for bowling clubs.

Councillor Adam Langleben questioned the equalities impact assessment which was explained by The Commissioning Director for Environment.  The Committee were informed that information would be circulated outlining the work conducted by the Council in respect to equalities.

Councillor Alan Schneiderman proposed that the decision of the process be deferred; this was seconded by Councillor Agnes Slocombe. The Chairman requested that the Committee voted on this.

The vote recorded was:

For deferring the item – 5

For not deferring the item – 5

The Chairman Councillor Dean Cohen used his casting vote that therefore concluded that the item not be deferred. 

Councillor Cohen said that 2 of the listed clubs (Oak Hill and Hendon) were processing terms and near to agreement, therefore he stated that this should continue as the clubs were happy with the position.  Councillor Cohen proposed that the remaining clubs should have the opportunity to continue to negotiate with the Council and prior to any significant development the item be reported back to the Environment Committee.  This was seconded by Councillor Peter Zinkin.  The Chairman put this to the vote, this was unanimously agreed by the Committee.  

Having considered the report and the verbal representations the Environment Committee:

Resolved:

·       The Environment Committee noted progress to date on negotiations with the Bowls clubs relative to the MTFS savings requirement and provided instruction to the Commissioning Director for Environment to continue negotiations with the clubs as set out in 1.22 of the report in association with the Council’s Estates Team as appropriate.

·       The Environment Committee authorised the Commissioning Director for Environment to agree the final terms of the new arrangements with the bowls clubs set out in 1.22 below; or as further settled and agreed by the Council as appropriate.

·       That the Environment Committee noted that Oak Hill and Hendon clubs will continue to reach a lease agreement and requested that prior to any significant development with the remaining clubs the item be reported back to the Environment Committee that outlines progress made.

The Commissioning Director for Environment introduced the item and the purpose of the report and therefore updated the Committee on the development of the Playing Pitch Strategy (PPS) for Barnet.

Having considered the report the Committee:

Resolved:

·       That the Environment Committee agreed the draft Playing Pitch Strategy for Barnet and the commencement of the public consultation.

The Commissioning Director for Environment introduced the item and the intentions of the report.  He stated that there was a shortage of new burial space at Hendon Cemetery and Crematorium (HCC) and requested that the Committee considered the report and the appendixes’

The Committee gave consideration to the item and therefore:

Resolved:

·       That the Environment Committee noted the evidence in appendix 1 demonstrating that HCC is running out of new burial space and that population changes will increase demand going forward and note the financial impact set out in 1.10 of this report.

Vote – unanimous

·       That the Environment Committee approved the re-use of graves at HCC as set out in Appendix 2.

Vote

For - 7

Against - 1

Abstain 2

·       That the Environment Committee agreed to extend the existing policy of providing cemetery provision for Barnet residents and to direct that a paper will be submitted to the March 2017 Environment Committee setting out the options for consideration.

Vote – unanimous

·       That the Environment Committee approved the increase in the pre-purchase premium for grave purchases for non-residents from 40% to 60%taking into full consideration the definitions of residency as set out in Appendix 3 and to implement the change forthwith.

Vote

For - 6

Abstain – 5

·       That the Environment Committee noted the 2017 Hendon Cemetery Rules and Regulations set out in Appendix 4.

Vote - unanimous

·       That the Environment Committee agreed commissioning for recommendations 2 and 3 be delegated to the Commissioning Director for Environment, and be subject to the agreed commissioning arrangements in place.

Vote - unanimous

The Committee noted the work programme and agreed that the start time should be 18:30 in order to accommodate the meeting’s business.

None