Agenda and minutes

The Chairman introduced the minutes of the last meeting.  Councillor Alan Schneiderman informed the Committee that the detail regarding the motion in his name which had been referred to the Committee from the Council Meeting was missing from the minutes.

The Governance Officer in attendance noted that a Motion in the name of Councillor Scheniderman was reported to Full Council on 20 October 2015 and that as in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 23.5, as the Member’s Motion was not dealt with by the end of the Full Council meeting, it was referred to the Environment Committee for consideration.  The Governance Officer confirmed that the motion considered was as follows:

“Roads and Pavements:

Council notes the rising complaints over the state of the boroughs roads and pavements, and that roads and pavements are the number one issue of concern for residents according to the council’s own Residents Perception Survey.

Council also notes the recent practice of ‘road surface dressing’ in Barnet which leaves tarmac road chippings loose on the road surface resulting in damage to vehicles from flying chippings and damage to homes from tar.

Council further notes that many residents have complained about this new approach to road repairs, and asks the Environment Committee to review the procedure, including any contingency for dealing with a deterioration in roads due to the approaching cold winter weather.”

Councillor Alan Schneiderman noted that he had MOVED the following motions below, which had been unanimously AGREED by the Committee at their meeting on 10 November 2015:

1.     That the Committee want to see an improved procedure for future work, including: better supervision and checks on contractors, more proactive sweeping of roads and pavements and prompt replacement of lines and road markings;

2.     That the Committee wants consideration of whether other resurfacing options are more appropriate for certain roads;

3.     That the Committee wants communication with residents to be improved.

4.      That the Committee seeks an assurance that all necessary remedial work will be completed as soon as possible

RESOLVED that:-

·       The Environment Committee noted the motion from Council dated 20 October 2015 and the motions moved in the name of Councillor Schneiderman as set out above.

·       The Environment Committee noted that on 10 November 2015 the Committee approved the Highway Network Recovery Planned Maintenance Programme and LIP and Section 106 2015-16 Qtr. 2 Update.

·       The Environment Committee approve the minutes of 10 November 2015 subject to the amendments as set out above as an accurate record and give instructions to the appropriate officer to make the appropriate amendments to the minute document of the meeting that took place on 10 November 2015.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Joan Scannell, who was substituted for by Councillor Sury Khatri. 

Apologies for lateness were received from Councillor John Hart.

None. 

None.

The Committee noted the details of a public question that had been submitted by Mr. Myk Tucker in relation to Agenda Item 10 (2015/16 Planned Maintenance).  Mr. Tucker asked a supplementary question which was answered at the meeting.

Mr. Tucker addressed the Committee and made a public comment in relation to Agenda Item 10 (2015/16 Planned Maintenance).  Following the comment, Members asked questions which were answered by Mr. Tucker.

Ms. Mary O’Connor addressed the Committee and made a public comment in relation to Agenda Item 12 (Highway Asset Management – Network Recovery Plan Whole Life Costing of Footway Maintenance Treatments).  Following the comment, Members asked questions which were answered by Ms. O’Connor.

None.

The Commissioning Director for Environment, Mr. Jamie Blake, introduced the report, which set out the development of a municipal recycling and waste strategy for Barnet.

Mr. Blake informed the Committee that a consultation would be undertaken in relation to strategy and that he would circulate it to members of the Committee.

The Chairman moved to the vote on recommendations as set out in the report.  Votes were recorded as follows:

RESOLVED that:-

1.     The Environment Committee note and consider the development of the draft Municipal Recycling and Waste Strategy 2016 to 2030.

2.    That the Environment Committee agree the consultation on the draft Municipal Recycling and Waste Strategy.

3.    That the Environment Committee note that the results of that consultation be reported to a future meeting of the Environment Committee along with the final Municipal Recycling and Waste Strategy for approval.

The Commissioning Director for Environment introduced the report. 

Councillor Brian Salinger MOVED the following amendment to Recommendation 3 as set out in the report:

That the Environment Committee approve that authority be delegated to the Street Scene Director in consultation with the Chairman of the Environment Committee Commissioning Director for Environment to review and amendment of the Events in Parks Policy and that power to vary to policy on an experimental basis is granted six months to include providing for events in the park that might need more than 12  hours than is stipulated in the current policy, and to bring a report back to committee in six months. 

That the Environment Committee approve that authority be delegated to the Commissioning Director for Environment to review and vary the Events in Parks Policy on an experimental basis for six months for events in the parks that might need more than the 12 hours than is stipulated in the current policy, and to bring a report back to the committee in six months.

Votes were recorded as follows:

The motion was CARRIED.

RESOLVED that:-

1.    The Environment Committee note the draft Parks and Open Spaces Strategy.

2.    That the Environment Committee approve and instruct that the Commissioning Director for Environment to release the draft Parks and Open Spaces Strategy for public consultation.

3.    That the Environment Committee approve that authority be delegated to the Commissioning Director for Environment to review and vary the Events in Parks Policy on an experimental basis for six months to include providing for events in the parks that might need more than the 12 hours than is stipulated in the current policy, and to bring a report back to the committee in six months.

The Commissioning Director for Environment introduced the report.

The Commissioning Director referred to line 6 of Appendix A and noted that the renewal charge for expired skip license should be considered as £28 per week with £56 minimum and £26 per week thereafter. 

The Committee noted that the charges marked for Hendon Car Park were inclusive of VAT.

Councillor Salinger MOVED the following amendment to Recommendation 1 as set out in the report. 

That the Committee consider and approve the fees and charges for 2016/16 as detailed in Appendix A subject to the removal of the wedding photographs in park charge, and noting the points as set out above in relation to a. skip license renewal and b. Hendon Car Park VAT.

Votes were recorded as follows:

The motion was carried.

The Committee RESOLVED following consideration to approve the fees and charges for2016/16 as detailed in Appendix A subject to the removal of the wedding photographs in park charge, and noting the points as set out above in relation to a. skip license renewal and b. Hendon Car Park VAT.

The Commissioning Director for Environment introduced the report, which updated the Committee on progress during the first 9 months delivering the 2015-16 Network Recovery Plan Highways Planned Maintenance.

During the consideration on this report, Councillor Sury Khatri declared a non-pecuniary interest in relation to Devonshire Road 

The Committee put questions to the Commissioning Director for Environment on the following matters, who undertook to provide a full response to Members outside of the meeting:

·         Aerodrome Road

·         Gradient of Footway Crossing

·         Devonshire Road

·         Perryfield Way

·         ETZ Chaim School

·         Lodge Lane

The Chairman moved the vote on the recommendations as set out in the report.

The Committee RESOLVED to:

1.    Note the list of carriageway and footway planned maintenance schemes completed in the first three quarters of the financial year, shown in Appendix A.

2.    Note the list of Section 106 schemes completed in the first three quarters of the financial year, shown in Appendix B.

3.    Note the list of Local Implementation Plan (LIP) schemes completed in the first three quarters of the financial year, shown in Appendix C.  

The Commissioning Director introduced the report, which sought the Committee’s approval for the delivery of the 2016-17 Highway Planned Maintenance Work Programme as set out in Appendix A of the report. 

The Committee considered the report.  Members noted that there was a numbering error in the original recommendations and for clarity noted that the recommendations would be considered as numbers 1-5 in order for the purpose of the vote.

Councillor Zinken moved the following amendments to recommendation one and two:

1.    That the Committee approves the 2016/17 planned maintenance work programme consisting of carriageway / footway renewal and   other highway maintenance works as listed in Appendix A of this report at a cost of £13 million subject to final to final consultation with ward members to be funded from the Year 2 allocation of the already agreed £50 million five year Network Recovery Plan agreed in December 2014 and noting the operational difficulties regarding the surface dressing programme during 15/16  the proposed programme for years 3,4,5 for the surface dressing be postponed until such time as this committee is satisfied with the existing 15/16 works as well as 16/17 programme of surface dressing.

2.    That the Committee notes that the Policy & Resources Committee Performance and Contract Management Committee will be requested to consider a carry forward into 2016/17 of the 2015/16 Capital allocation of £2 million for footway works at their February 2016 meeting.

Votes were recorded as follows:

The motion was CARRIED and became the substantive motion.

The Chairman moved to the vote on the amended recommendations one and two, and on recommendations three and four as set out in the report.  Votes were recorded as follows:

The Chairman moved to the vote on recommendation five as set out in the report.  Votes were recorded as follows:

RESOLVED that:-

1.    The Committee approves the 2016/17 planned maintenance work programme consisting of carriageway / footway renewal and   other highway maintenance works as listed in Appendix A of this report at a cost of £13 million subject to final to final consultation with ward members to be funded from the Year 2 allocation of the already agreed £50 million five year Network Recovery Plan agreed in December 2014 and noting the operational difficulties regarding the surface dressing programme during 15/16  the proposed programme for years 3,4,5 for the surface dressing be postponed until such time as this committee is satisfied with the existing 15/16 works as well as 16/17 programme of surface dressing.

2.    The Committee notes that the Policy & Resources Committee will be requested to consider a carry forward into 2016/17 of the 2015/16 Capital allocation of £2 million for footway works at their February 2016 meeting.

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

4. That subject to the overall costs being contained within agreed budgets, the Commissioning Director for Environment  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.

The Commissioning Director for Environment introduced the report, which explained the concept of whole life costing highway asset management, and referenced a “toolbox” of standardised construction designs. 

Following a question from a Member, the Commissioning Director for Environment undertook to discuss gradients and crossovers with engineers in relation to whole life costing of footways.

Councillor Brian Salinger MOVED the following motion:

“That two more roads be tried out, with one that it is a typical road with crossovers, and one without crossovers so that Committee Members can consider that before taking any decisions in principle, and that the decision on whole life principles can be deferred.”

Votes were recorded as follows:

The motion was CARRIED and became the substantive motion.

The Committee RESOLVED to instruct that two more roads be tried out, with one that it is a typical road with crossovers, and one without crossovers so that Committee Members can consider that before taking any decisions in principle, and that the decision on whole life principles can be deferred.

The Commissioning Director for Environment introduced the report, which set out the results of consultation with residents and permit holders on the introduction of an experimental school permit scheme.

Responding to a question from a Member, The Commissioning Director for Environment advised the Committee that Members could have an input into the schools that are considered for the scheme.

A Member requested that individuals are made aware of tax implications that the permit might have.

The Chairman moved to the vote on the recommendations as set out in the report.  Votes were recorded as follows:

The Committee RESOLVED to:-

1.    Note the results of the consultation.

2.    Agree to the implementation of a School Permit pilot scheme in NW7 and NW2, starting 1^st April 2016 for 6 months.

3.    Agree to the introduction of a new experimental School Permit at a cost of £190 per permit per year.

4.    Agree the undertaking of a statutory consultation and the amendment of all relevant Traffic Management Orders to enable the issuing of the above permits.

5.    Agree the selection criteria set out in paragraph 1.9 of the report for the issue of a School Permit.

The Chairman introduced the Committee’s Forward Work Programme, as set out in the report.

RESOLVED that the Committee note the Forward Work Programme.

None.