Agenda and minutes

To receive apologies for absence and notification of substitutions.

Apologies were received from Councillor Bhadye.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 29 March 2023 as a correct record.

The minutes of the meeting held on 29 March 2023 were agreed as a correct record.

To receive any disclosures of interest from members in accordance with the Members Code of Conduct.

There were none.

The Chair, or their nominee, to answer any questions raised by members of the public in accordance with Standing Order 40.

At the time of publication of this agenda no questions were received.

There were none.

To consider any issues raised by ward councillors in accordance with Standing Order 34.2

At the time of publication of this agenda no ward issues were received.

There were none.

To consider the report on the adoption of the Joint Enforcement Team – Environmental Crime Enforcement Policy.

The Group Head – Neighbourhood Services presented the report on the Environmental Crime Enforcement Policy which would bring together various acts of legislations and by-laws and make the process of prosecuting offenders more streamlined.

The Committee queried what powers the JET Team had and were advised that they were able to issue fixed penalty notices and if necessary take an offender to court.

The Committee queried the process for a resident to report an issue related to environmental crime. The Committee were informed that there were links to the relevant forms on the Spelthorne Borough Council website. The Committee suggested that it could be clearer for residents and it was agreed that the Group Head – Neighbourhood Services would discuss the matter with the Communications team.

The Committee resolved to adopt the Joint Enforcement Team – Environmental Crime Enforcement Policy.

To consider the report on the tendering process for the procurement of the River Ash Boardwalk.

The Group Head – Neighbourhood Services presented the report on the tendering process for the procurement of the proposed boardwalk on the River Ash.

The Committee enquired whether recycled plastic would be the best material to build the boardwalk from and whether wood could be a better option. The Group Head – Neighbourhood Service advised that wood was more vulnerable to vandalism and would deteriorate quickly.

The Committee asked how residents would be able to report an issue with the boardwalk and were advised that it would be possible to include plaques on the handrail with details of how to report any incidents of vandalism.

The Committee resolved to

1. Authorise the Group Head of Neighbourhood Services to go out to tender for the procurement of the River Ash Boardwalk
2. Delegate authority to the Biodiversity Officer, Group Head of Neighbourhood Services and Chair of Neighbourhood Services and Enforcement committee to select the chosen supplier

3.    Authorise the Group Head of Corporate Governance to enter into the contract with the selected supplier.

To consider the Forward Plan for committee business.

The Committee queried whether it was possible for the forward plan to include a link to previous iterations of a report that had been before the Committee, specifically in relation to the item on Road Channel Sweeping.

The Committee Manager advised that the Forward Plan was to advise Councillors of those reports coming to future meetings rather than what had previously been presented. It was agreed that the previous report on Road Channel Sweeping would be e-mailed to members of the Committee.

The Group Head – Neighbourhood Services advised the Committee that the report on Road Channel Sweeping that was presented on 29 March 2023, would be the same report that would be presented at the Committee meeting of 5 October 2023.

The Committee noted the forward plan.