Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Mrs Murphy.

The minutes of the Environment Committee meeting held on 9.7.2014 were approved and signed by the Chair as a correct record.

The Chair gave a verbal update to the committee on a number of issues; Pot Holes, Budget Bids, Food Waste Bags and Green Redeem.

Green Redeem project costs known at £80k, only £40k put into the budget this year, a shortfall of £40k.  The project has now been axed, whilst an investigation is undertaken on what to do next.

The Tree Warden Scheme is a national network that enables people to play an active role in conserving and enhancing trees and woodlands in their local area.  The scheme was founded by the Tree Council and is co-ordinated by them in partnership with Local Authorities.

Brentwood has been part of the current scheme since it was launched in 1990, and currently has eight active member’s in various locations around the Borough, but it would be the intention of the Tree Officer to raise this to two per ward where possible.

The wardens are the ‘eyes and ears’ of the community in relation to trees, hedgerows and our woodlands, and report back issues locally that may otherwise be unnoticed by Council Officers.

It is important that the scheme is continually promoted in order to attract new volunteers, especially young people, who are the next generation that will manage and retain our environment in the future.

During the debate Cllr Hones, expressed her personal thanks to Mr Marsh, Arboricultural Assistant for the time spent with Parish Councillors and Residents of Ingatestone explaining the Tree Warden Scheme.

A motion was MOVED by Cllr Lloyd and SECONDED by Cllr Sapwell to receive the recommendation set out in the report.

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY to:

2.1       To agree that Officer develop a promotional campaign to further       develop the National Tree Warden scheme across the Borough.

At the Environment Committee on 7^th July 2014 it was resolved that Officers should explore the possibility of introducing a kerbside textile collection service for our residents.

Discussions have now been held with Essex Textiles, who would provide the service free of charge for the Council, and provide £80 per tonne for the textiles collected.  The Council would also be able to claim the recycling credit on the collected textiles, which is currently £60.69 per tonne.

In addition to the £80 per tonne, the company would also provide a delivery service for the sacks.  The Council currently employ agency staff each year to deliver the orange sacks and food waste bags at a cost of circa £12,000, which will be saved if the scheme is introduced.

The predicted tonnage from the collection is based on that of similar sized Authorities, at 60 tonnes per annum. This could generate an income of £4,800, plus the recycling credit income of £3,641 if similar tonnages are achieved

Therefore the combined financial benefit from the saving and the predicted income will be circa £20,441 per annum. 

After a full discussion, a motion was MOVED by Cllr Lloyd and SECONDED by Cllr Sapwell to receive to recommendations set out in the report subject to an amendment to 2.2.

2.2       That the Council will inform all charity shops of the collection scheme        to be introduced and seek their reviews before the final implication   implementation of the scheme.

Voting took place by a show of hands and in accordance with Rule 9.2 of the Council Procedure Rules, the Chair exercised his casting vote and the Motion was CARRIED.

RESOLVED to:

2.1       Agree that the Council introduce a free textile waste collection service       for the residents of the Borough.

2.2       That the Council will inform all charity shops of the collection scheme        to be introduced and seek their views before the final implementation          of the scheme.

It is recognised that all Council’s need to identify alternative ways of delivering services, and that the high expectations of residents cannot be delivered by the Council alone.

It is the intention of this Council to identify all opportunities to work in partnership with other agencies to enhance our communities, and take action on the issues that impact on their lives.

To start this process it is intended to have discussions with the Fire Authority, to look at how we can work together to make a difference across the Borough through working in partnership on environmental schemes.

A motion was MOVED by Cllr Lloyd and SECONDED by Cllr Sapwell to receive the recommendations as set out in the report subject to a suggested alteration by the Mover to 2.2.

2.2       Agree that Officers commence discussions with the Fire Authority to          identify any opportunities to develop joint working to enhance our             communities and a further report advising on the outcome of these           discussions to be submitted at the Environment Committee on          20.1.2015.

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY to:

2.1       Agree that Members will provide Officers with information on potential        areas for joint working to feed into the discussions.

2.2       Agree that Officers commence discussions with the Fire Authority to          identify any opportunities to develop joint working to enhance our             communities and a further report advising on the outcome of these     discussions to be submitted at the Environment Committee on         20.1.2015.

There have been requests for the Council to provide improvements to land in Vaughan Williams Way, and to take on the maintenance of land in an alley way in Tower Hill.

Officers have inspected both sites, and whilst both would deliver an improvement to those in the immediate vicinity, this would become a liability in terms of ongoing maintenance cost.

It has been identified that the alley way in Tower Hill is private land, and the request is for the Council to become responsible for this land, and therefore take full responsibility for the on-going maintenance, and public liability through any insurance claims.  Taking responsibility of the annual maintenance of the alley way in Tower Hill would incur additional revenue costs to the Council of £1,500 per annum, However, this does not include the Officer and legal work that would be required in order to adopt the land.

The capital cost of the work on Vaughan Williams Way would be £6,500, and would incur an annual revenue cost for the additional maintenance of £1,000. 

Through the discussion the Chair requested that an investigation is undertaken by the Asset and Enterprise Committee on the pockets of land within the Borough that have no acknowledged ownership.

A Ward Member spoke in support of this item.

A Motion was MOVED by Cllr Lloyd and SECONDED by Cllr Sapwell to receive the recommendations set out in the report.

A vote was taken by a show of hands and was RESOLVED.

2.1       Invite Members to consider taking on the maintenance at Vaughan             Williams Way and the alley way at Tower Hill, with both being the        subject of budget bids for 2015/16 onwards.

2.2       Agree that all future requests to adopt, or purchase, private land are            referred to the Assets and Enterprise Committee for discussion.

Termination of Meeting

During the preceding item, in accordance with Rule 28 of Part 4.1 – Council Procedure Rules, the business of the meeting not having concluded by two hours after it’s start, Members voted to agreed to continue with the meeting for a further 30 minutes.

An item of business may only be considered where the Chair is of the opinion that, by reason of special circumstances, which shall be specified in the Minutes, the item should be considered as a matter of urgency.

The Chair advised the committee that a request for urgent business had been received.

The Chair allowed it as urgent business due to the special circumstances for submitting this item are that acts of criminal and anti-social behaviour are continuing on site in spite of enforcement action being taken, and that urgent consideration is needed in order to decided how best to protect the community, and this action cannot reasonability wait until the next scheduled meeting of the Committee on 12^th November 2014.

Ward Members and Parish Council in support of the tabled report.

A motion was MOVED by Cllr Lloyd and SECONDED by Cllr Sapwell to receive the recommendations set out in the report, subject to a suggested alteration to 2.2 by the Mover.

2.2       Agree that all other recycling sites are reviewed, and that a report is            presented to the Environment Committee on November 12th 2014 for   Members to decided on the future of these sites.

2.2       To undertake a review of all recycling centre within the Borough in             consultation with Ward Members and relevant Parish Council’s and     that a report be presented  to the next meeting of the Environment             Committee on 12^th November 2014 on the future of the existing sites          and any potential new sites.

RESOVLED UNANMIOUSLY to:

2.1       Agree that the recycling centre at Crown Corner is closed, and that the      site is fenced off to prevent further misuse through flytipping.

2.2       To undertake a review of all recycling centre within the Borough in             consultation with Ward Members and relevant Parish Council’s and     that a report be presented to the next meeting of the Environment             Committee on 12^th November 2014 on the future of the existing sites          and any potential new sites.