Agenda and minutes

Members to approve the minutes of the meeting held on 13 June 2016.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors John Caswell ,Janice Duffy, Zoe Smith and Graham Walker.

The Chair to note public address requests.

The public can speak on any agenda item for a maximum of three minutes per speaker per item.  You are not required to register your intention to speak in advance but should arrive at the meeting a few minutes early, complete a Public Address Protocol and notify the Scrutiny Officer of your intention to speak.

There were none.

There were none.

The Overview and Scrutiny Committee to receive an update on the Emissions Strategy, including hotspots

Ruth Austin, Environmental Health and Licensing Manager, and Neil Polden, Senior Environmental Health Officer, gave the Committee a comprehensive presentation on the Emissions Strategy, including hotspots. The salient points were highlighted.

It was confirmed that the consultation on the Emissions Strategy would close on 21 October 2016 and Overview and Scrutiny could either provide comment as a Committee or individually as ward Councillors.  Following the consultation a report would be presented to the October 2016 meeting of Cabinet.

The Chair felt it would be useful for a Scrutiny Panel to be set up to look at the Action Plan that would be devised in respect of the Emissions Strategy. Councillor Ashraf and Councillor Shaw confirmed that they would be members of the Scrutiny Panel.  The Chair would contact all non- Executives inviting them to be a member of the Panel. The scoping meeting would be held early in October with the scope presented to the November meeting of the Committee for approval.

AGREED:      A Scrutiny Panel is set up to provide Scrutiny input into the Emissions Strategy Action Plan.

Ruth Austen, Environmental Health and Licensing Manager, provided an update on the action plan in respect of the accepted recommendations for the Scrutiny review – keep Northampton Tidy.

The Committee was disappointed that jetties were not to be gated.

The  Chair thanked Ruth Austen for the information and suggested that a further monitoring report is presented to the February 2017 meeting of the Committee.

AGREED:      That further monitoring takes places at the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 2 February 2017.

Julie Seddon, Director of Customers and Culture, provided an update on the action plan in respect of the accepted recommendations for the Scrutiny review – Tree Maintenance.

It was highlighted that the Working Group’s concerns regarding right to light had been noted and had been taken on board.

It was confirmed that if tree and shrub growth causes an obstruction or visibility problems they would be cut back, otherwise, the cutting back is undertaken as part of routine maintenance.

The  Chair thanked Julie Seddon for the information and suggested that a further monitoring report is presented to the February 2017 meeting of the Committee.

AGREED:      That further monitoring takes places at the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 2 February 2017.

The Overview and Scrutiny Committee to receive a progress report from the three Scrutiny Panels.

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The Overview and Scrutiny Committee noted the update of Scrutiny Panel 1 – CSE.

The Overview and Scrutiny Committee to receive the final report of Scrutiny Panel 2 (Museum Trust – Pre-Decision Scrutiny).  

The Chair presented the final report of Scrutiny Panel 2 – Museum Trust (pre decision Scrutiny) for approval.

AGREED:      That the final report of Scrutiny Panel 2 – Museum Trust (pre decision Scrutiny) is approved and the Chair will present the report to Cabinet at its meeting on 7 September 2016.

The Overview and Scrutiny Committee noted the update of Scrutiny Panel 3- Homelessness.

The Overview and Scrutiny Committee to consider any potential issues for future pre decision scrutiny.

The Chair reminded the Committee that it would be undertaking pre-decision scrutiny as part of its new review – Emissions Strategy – Action Plan.

There were none.