Agenda and minutes

An apology of absence was received from Councillor Devra Kay.

The Chairman Councillor Dean Cohen declared non-pecuniary interest as he is a member of the Thames Regional Flood and Coastal Committee (RFCC).

The Chairman Councillor Dean Cohen declared non-pecuniary interest as he

Is a governor of Menorah Foundation School.

Councillor Schneiderman and Councillor Old each declared a non-pecuniary interest as users of the 13/82 bus route. 

Councillor Salinger declared a non-pecuniary interest as the owner of an electric car.

All Councillors remained in the room for the consideration of the relevant items and took part in the decision making process.

None.

The Environment Committee noted the details of public questions that had been submitted by residents.  They were given the opportunity to ask a supplementary question.  The Committee noted that Ms Mary O’Connor was not able to attend the meeting. 

The Committee noted that the following people made public comments. 

Following the Comments that were made Members of the Committee were given the opportunity to ask questions of residents.

The Chairman noted the advice form the Governance Officer in regards to the total time allowed as stated in the Council’s Constitution.   The Chairman used his discretion to extend the time to allowed to enable all residents the opportunity to make public comment, this was Committee supported by the Committee.

Councillor Schneiderman – Blind and Partially Sighted Bowling Club

Councillor Alan Schneiderman introduced the item and requested that the Committee support the intentions of his Member’s Item.

The Commissioning Director for Environment outlined that Officers had met with all bowling clubs to discuss the saving proposals which had been reported and agreed by the Environment Committee and Full Council.  He also stated that all Members had been written to in order to outline the proposals.

Councillor Alan Schneiderman requested that the Council should protect the blind and partially sighted bowling club.  He therefore requested that equalities impact assessment be conducted. 

Having considered the report the Environment Committee:

Resolved:

·       That the Environment Committee noted the report.

·       That the Environment Committee instruct Officers to conduct an equalities impact assessment at the appropriate time.

·       That the Environment Committee noted that Members of the Council can submit an application for Area Committee grant funding.

·       That the Environment Committee recommend that in the event that any report is reported to the Environment Committee, consideration be given to the Member’s Item and it be outlined how the Council engaged with the bowling club.  

·       That the Environment Committee requested that consideration be given to the position of the bowls club in the event that a future report be submitted to the Environment Committee.

Having been put to the vote the Environment Committee unanimouslyagreed.

Councillor Or-Bach – Road works violations by utility companies

Councillor Alon Or-bach introduced the item and requested that the Committee support the intentions of his Member’s Item.  He requested that the Environment Committee was informed how Re Ltd monitored the impact of works by utility companies on Barnet’s roads to ensure that appropriate enforcement action is taken when required. The Commissioning Director for Environment indicated that a range of enforcement activities were undertaken and details could be provided to members. 

Having considered  the Member’s Item the Environment Committee:

Resolved

·       The Environment Committee noted the report

·       That the Commissioning Director for Environment be requested to circulate enforcement activity information to Committee Members as highlighted in the Members Item

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

Councillor Langleben – Great Northern Rail

Councillor Adam Langleben introduced the item, invited members to also include the Thames Link service operated by Govia in their consideration, and requested that the Committee support the intentions of his Member’s Item.

Resolved:

·       That the Environment Committee requested that the route operator, Govia be invited to a future meeting in respect to the Great Northern route and the Thames Link route to present service information.

Having been put to the vote the Environment Committee unanimouslyagreed.

 The Commissioning Director for Environment introduced the item and the intentions of the report.  He informed the Environment Committee of the development of the Cycling Strategy as part of the Boroughs Transport Strategy and noted the next steps the Borough will take to further develop  cycling infrastructure.  He stated that following the Committees approval work would begin to develop a cycling strategy as part of the overarching long term transport strategy.    

Having considered the report the Committee:

Resolved

·       That the Environment Committee agreed that a Cycling Strategy for Barnet be formulated as part of the overall Transport Strategy for the Borough.

·       That the Environment Committee agreed to the proposed next steps outlined in this report to install more cycle infrastructure in the Borough and seek further data on cycling activity in Barnet.

·       That the Commissioning Director for Environment be requested to contact Transport for London to gain a better understanding of the cycle quietways proposals.

·       That the Commissioning Director for Environment be instructed to conduct a benchmarking exercise to review accidents stats with neighbouringBoroughs.

·       That the Environment Committee noted their support for all forms of transport to ensure they are as safe as possible.

·       That the Environment Committee noted that the Council’s Area Committees should receive a report(s) on the cycle quiteways/cycling for their respective Committees.

The Commissioning Director for Environment introduced the item and outlined the contents of the report including the recommendations that the Committee were requested to consider.  

The Environment Committee considered the options documented in the report which included those contained in recommendation 2.  The Committee noted that the current senior management oversight of the Street Scene Service was delivered by the Barnet Group.   Councillor Alan Schneidermanstated that it was possible for an in house service delivery option which was not managed by the Barnet Group.    The Commissioning Director outlined the history of management issues within the service, the medium and long term financial plan and stated that thefinal  decision relating to the Street Scene Alternative Business Model would be made by the Environment Committee in March.  

Councillor Alon Or-bachstated that an in house option should be reported and captured clearly for Members of the Council to consider and determine.  He concluded by outlining that a fair range of options should be considered. 

The Committee noted that Barnet UNISON had circulated a report to Members of the Environment Committee.  

A motion was moved by Councillor Alan Schneiderman which was seconded by Councillor Adam Langleben that sought to add an in house delivery alternative option and delete an outsourced option.

The Chairman requested that the Committee voted on this:

Vote – 5

Against 6

The motion was therefore lost.

Having considered the report and the Environment Committee were requested to vote on the report’s recommendations.  However prior to this the Committee unanimouslyagreed to amend the wording of recommendation 3 to read:

That Environment Committee approve a public consultation on the recommended options shortlist (as above) and the project to inform the Revised Outline Business Case (OBC2).

The Chairman requested that recommendations 1,  2 and 3 be voted on and therefore the vote was recorded as

For – 6

Against – 5

Immediately following the vote Councillor Alan Schneiderman moved to refer the report to Full Council.This was supported by a total of 5 Members of the Committee, being the number required for a referral under the Council’s constitution.

Resolved:

·       That the specified number of members of the Environment Committee require the item to be referred to the next practicable meeting of Full Council for consideration and determination on account that that a directly managed in house delivery alternative option should be considered as one of the shortlisted options and the outsourced option be removed.

·       That recommendation 3 be amended as agreed by the Environment Committee (above) for further consideration by Full Council

The Commissioning Director for Environment introduced the item and the intentions of the report.  He confirmed the recommendation in the report and requested the Committee to consider this.

Having considered the report the Committee unanimously agreed:

·       That the Environment Committee noted the results from the engagement and consultation for the current design plan for Silk Stream Valley Park, and endorsed a planning application based on the design principles in Appendix 1

·       That the Environment Committee noted the miss alignment of timescales for the Silk Stream Valley Park transformation and Environment Agency flood alleviation in the Silk Stream Valley.

·       The committee also requested the Commissioning Director for Environment continues to work with the Environment Agency to understand the implications and risks to both project and update Members of the Committee.

The Commissioning Director for Environment introduced and outlined the recommendations which the Committee were requested to consider and determine.   He requested that Members provide comments to Officers in order for the response to be submitted to Transport for London.

The Environment committee noted the report and appendix 2.  The Committee strongly objected to any changes that would result in any reduction to frequency or capacity from the current level of service.   The Committee considered that service level should be improved.

Resolved

·       That the Committee agreed that the Commissioning Director for Environment submit the Council’s response having taking into account the comments of the Committee

·       That the Committee agreed that the Commissioning Director for Environment redraft the response in consultation with the Chairman and the opposition spokesperson Councillor Alan Schneiderman

The Commissioning Director for Environment introduced the item and the intentions of the report.  He confirmed the recommendations in the report and requested the Committee’s consideration.

The committee noted the update be provided within the report in respect to surface dressing and the verbal representation that was provided by the Commissioning Director for Environment.  The Committee heard that any claims for damage which residents have submitted will be considered and managed by the insurance service.  Councillor Adam Langleben requested that he be provided with information relating to remedial work that had been conducted following the implementation of the 137 roads that were resurfaced.

Having considered the report the Environment Committee:

Resolved:

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

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

·       That the Environment Committee requested that Members of the Committee received information on the remedial work that had been conducted following the implementation of the surface dressed roads.

Having considered the report the Environment Committee:

Resolved:

That the Environment Committee noted the work programme and therefore agreed that the November meeting commence at 6:30pm.

The Chairman noted that he had agreed that LIP Annual Spending Submission Proposals be submitted and considered by the Committee. Therefore he introduced the report and highlighted the recommendations. 

Having considered the report the Environment Committee:

Resolved

·       That the Environment Committee approved the 2017/18 Local Implementation Plan (LIP) Annual Spending Submission proposals detailed at Appendix A for submission to Transport for London

·       That the Environment Committee delegated authority to the Commissioning Director for Environment, to adjust the funding of the proposals should TfL advise a lower borough allocation for the Corridors Neighbourhoods and Supporting Measures Programme than in 2016/17, based on the principle of a pro-rata adjustment but taking into account other factors that may have an impact.

·       That the Environment Committee requested an update on car clubs and locations.