Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Danielle Pritchard.

To receive Councillors’ declarations of interest (if any) in relation to any matters on the agenda.

None.

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 15 March 2022.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 15 March 2022 are agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

It was explained that contact information for the Police Officers assigned to each ward had been provided at a Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner event held at Latton Bush Centre. The details would be provided to committee members.

The Chair expressed his disappointment that the visual  presentation of activity presented by the Police to the Committee at the March meeting still had not been forwarded by the Police to members of the Committee as promised.

To receive any questions from members of the public in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 10.

None.

To receive any questions from Councillors in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 10.

None.

To consider responses (if any) of the Cabinet to reports and recommendations from the Committee.

RESOLVED that the following response was noted.

RESOLVED that Cabinet accepted the recommendations to:

                     i)        Work be undertaken to identify what changed to CCTV provision could be made in the Town Centre and any budget implications arising from these, with a report to be brought back to Cabinet at a later date; and

                    ii)        The Police be asked to provide contact information for Police Officers assigned to each Ward.

To agree the Committee’s work plan for the 2022/23 municipal year.

The Leader outlined the priorities set out in the Corporate Strategy. In response to questions he said that the Corporate Strategy would be reviewed in Autumn, and that the Administration was aiming to achieve all short term aims set out in the Strategy by the end of the calendar year.

The Chair thanked the Leader for attending and said the Committee would consider areas it felt value could be added through the scrutiny process.

The Committee considered its work plan for the 2022/23 municipal year.

It was agreed that the following items would not be progressed as part of the Committee’s work plan. The reasons are also noted below:

a)    Online Gambling – It was noted the Government was currently considering the introduction of legislation on this matter. Any review would follow the legislation

b)    GP Practices – It was noted the relevant scrutiny authority for this was Essex County Council. The Director of Communities and Environment would speak to Councillor Carter about the discussions which are already taking place between the Council and the CCG.

c)    Parking Permits – This would be dealt with by the Parking Steering Group

d)    Hate Crime – This was to be incorporated in pre-scrutiny of the Community Safety Strategy. The Director of Communities and Environment would speak to Councillor Griggs about the actions the Council is already taking.

e)    Veolia Contract – It was noted that this already forms part of the Audit and Standards Committee’s audit tracker. Relevant information would be supplied to Councillor Vince.

f)     Garage e-charging – This would be incorporated into the emerging Garages Strategy.

RESOLVED that the work plan was agreed as appended to the minutes.

The Committee received the annual scrutiny report for 2021/22.

RESOLVED that the report was recommended to Full Council that the report be noted.

None.

Such other business which, in the opinion of the Chair, should be received as a matter of urgency by reason of special circumstances to be specified in the minutes.

None.