Apologies were received from Cllr Mrs Middlehurst. 

The minutes from the Environment and Enforcement Committee held on 24 October 2017 were approved as a true record. 

Mr Carter presented to the committee on recent fly tipping figures.   

Year on year figures from 2016/17 to 2017/18 had dropped from 30 cases down to 16 cases. 

From June to September 2017, there had been 43 cases of fly tipping with 2 that had led to prosecution and 2 cases issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice. 

Ms Taylor informed committee members of four more Recycling Roadshows taking place where the team would be available to assist residents with what can be recycled or reused after the Christmas Festivities, for helpful recycling tips, advise on Christmas tree recycling and the opportunity to stock up on free recycling sacks and food waste bags.

A kerb side collection for Christmas trees on garden waste collection would commence on Monday 8^th January 2018.    

Ms Lilley updated the committee on recent activity around Enforcement:

Around 25 Council officers had undergone vetting through Essex Police for Community Safety Accreditation Scheme.  It was hoped that training would commence early 2018 after which the accredited officers would then have increased powers to enforce across the Borough. 

Recording enforcement activity had moved forward with the operating systems put in place.  Once fully operational, the hope was that officers would have the ability to record activity whilst “out on the field” with mobile devices.      

A Housing Officer had been seconded to look after ASB cases which would improve consistency and ensure all cases were logged on the system which would improve information sharing, efficiency and streamlining of services.  

The Town Centre Public Spaces Order was being expanded, as agreed by Essex Police.  There would be a period of consultation, after which the order would come into force.   

There had been some positive results in terms of enforcement against parking on verges and pavements. Discussions were ongoing with Essex County Council to establish boundaries and responsibilities before the full scheme could be considered.  At this stage the Council would not be able to enforce against parking on land that fell under Essex County Council Highways.  Nevertheless, close partnership working was being adopted.

A positive outcome was achieved regarding planning enforcement in Blackmore and Ingatestone resulting in  around £9,000 worth of fines and costs. 

Two mobile cameras had been erected in Hutton Recreation Ground and William Hunter Way car park which would be monitored by Brentwood Borough Council CCTV.  The project was as a result of partnership working with Thurrock Council.  The cameras have infra-red capability and when activated send an email alert to CCTV.

The Community Safety Partnership had provided funding for the purchase of body worn cameras and dash cams.  A successful trial had taken place in partnership with Baytree Security.   

To follow

Fees and charges made by the Council for various services were reviewed on an annual basis by the relevant Committees relating to the Services. 

Recommended amendments to fees and charges were incorporated into the budget setting process to take effect from the following financial year.

A motion was MOVED by Cllr Parker and SECONDED by Cllr Bridge to approve the recommendations in the report. 

A vote was taken by a show of hands and it was RESOLVED that:

1.    The proposed fees and charges attached in Appendix A, B and C are agreed and incorporated within the 2018/19 budget. 

2.    The members agree to reduce the period of time for an Exclusive Right of Burial (ERB) from 100 years to 50 years. 

Reason for recommendations

The recommendation was to increase charges by 3% (rounded to the nearest pound) plus the exceptions detailed within the report.  The changes would make a small contribution to the subsidised services provided by the Council and aiming to recover the cost of the services being provided. 

To follow

At the meeting of the Environment and Enforcement Committee on 24 October 2017, Members approved officers to investigate additional security measures on Council land.

The report recommended that actions were taken over the winter months where possible – as estimated costs were not available it was recommended that the authority was delegated to the Chair and Vice Chair in consultation with officers to determine appropriate works and approve costs from within existing 2017/18 budgets to undertake works before the financial year end. 

A motion was MOVED by Cllr Parker and SECONDED by Cllr Bridge to approve the recommendation in the report. 

A vote was taken by a show of hands and it was RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY that:

Members authorise officers in consultation with the Chair and Vice Chair of Environment and Enforcement Committee to agree a maximum of £25K of additional expenditure to the existing 2017/18 capital programme to improve security in identified areas of land owned by Brentwood Borough Council.  

Reason for recommendation

To continue to effectively reduce the likelihood of unauthorised incursions onto Council and Parish Council land in the Borough and to reduce the impact of additional expenditure, particularly on-site clearance.

At the meeting of the Environment and Enforcement Committee on 24 October 2017, Members requested a report to update on air quality in the Borough. 

The report aimed to update on general air quality in the Borough and also to consider arrangements for monitoring. 

Members requested that a report would come back to committee on whether the equipment could or could not be deployed and what locations would be suitable. 

A motion was MOVED by Cllr Parker and SECONDED by Cllr Bridge to approve the recommendation in the report. 

A vote was taken by a show of hands and it was RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY that: 

Members note the contents of the report and instruct officers to investigate potential locations to redeploy the continuous monitoring equipment if considered appropriate and viable. 

Reason for recommendation

The recommendation to investigate suitable locations was to enable continued use of existing equipment redeployed to provide useful data whilst the analyser continues to function.   

There were no items of urgent business and the meeting concluded at 20:45.