Cllr Mrs Hones substituted for this committee meeting.   

Members RESOLVED that the minutes of the Environment, Enforcement and Housing Committee meeting held on 17^th March 2020 were a true record.

Members noted the updates provided in the Chairs report.

The report identified the sites that Brentwood Council would be seeking to plant woodlands and trees, and provided an overview of the different groups and organisations the Council are working with to identify and secure projects that would assist and develop more planting schemes across the borough in the future.

A motion was MOVED by Cllr Mrs Pearson and SECONDED by Cllr Hossack.   to agree the recommendations in the report.

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

Members were asked to:

R1. Approve the present list of suggested tree planting sites as part of the beginning of tree planting in the borough (para 8 of the report).

R2. That funding for the woodlands or tree planting is met through identified grants or from existing budgets and/or future growth bids

R3. That the Chair, Vice Chair and Ward members are consulted on any scheme to be implemented within a ward

R4. Agree to continue to work with the Forestry Commission, Essex Forest initiative (EFI), Thames Chase, Woodland Trust, Natural England , RPA/DEFRA and local sector interests to identify and work up schemes to improve the environment within the borough through planting schemes or other projects that will support the environment.

Reasons for Recommendation

Supports the Council’s commitment to develop and consider projects to protect the environment.

Enables the Council to begin a programme of planting to support its environmental aspirations.

Enables the Council to work with other professional groups develop funding and a wider planting programme.

Enables the Council to fully integrate with the Community Forest and its partners, in turn giving direct access to all associated benefits.

The report identified a number of benefits from re-engaging with Thames Chase Community Forest and to re-establish robust partnership working for the future.

Mr Bidgen from the Thames Chase Trust confirmed to committee that annual discussion would be to set aims for a return on investment, and at the end of the year a benefits paper will be received for assurance and what has been received.   

A motion was MOVED by Cllr Mrs Pearson and SECONDED by Cllr Hossack to agree the recommendations in the report.

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

Members are asked to consider:

R1. Whether to fund Thames Chase Community Forest at a cost of £8,000 to be identified from the Environmental Initiative Reserve.

R2. That officers determine a list of projects in consultation with the Chair, Vice Chair and Leaders of the opposition to take forward with Thames Chase Community Forest for the initial year should funding be agreed.

R3. That the projects entered into at the start of the year be reviewed annually to determine whether funding will continue into the next financial year.

Reasons for Recommendation

Supports the Council’s commitment to develop and consider projects to protect the environment.

Enables the Council to fully integrate with the Community Forest and its partners, in turn giving direct access to all associated benefits.

(Cllr T Barrett declared an interest as a Conservator of Shenfield Common).

One of the Council’s Key Objectives 2020-21 is to “Establish a clear and deliverable Strategic Housing Development Plan”. In response to that objective, the report summarised the progress, since commencement in July 2020, of the development of a pipeline of new Council owned homes through the regeneration of various Housing Revenue Account (HRA) owned sites. This ‘Strategic Housing Delivery Plan’ (SHDP) currently have two key features. Firstly, the regeneration of a number of existing homes and garages at Brookfield Close, Hutton, which subject to resident consultation and planning could result in 61 new zero carbon homes and, secondly, the redevelopment of a number of other smaller sites within the Council’s ownership to deliver a further 100 to 150 new Council homes.

The Council’s Corporate Strategy ‘Brentwood 2025’ commits to Introducing “innovative Carbon reduction and absorption schemes”, “identify opportunities for low emission and green developments” and using ‘brownfield sites efficiently, such as Council ownedgarage sites, to provide affordable homes…”. The Government had also set legallybinding targets under the Climate Change Act 2008 to reach ‘net zero’ carbon emissions by 2050. Meeting this target would require a range of actions across sectors of the UKeconomy that are responsible for emissions. The opportunities laid out within the report contributed significantly to the Council’s Strategy as well as the national agenda.

A presentation was given to the committee from Mr Winslet, Director of ARK Consultancy. 

A motion was MOVED by Cllr Mrs Pearson and SECONDED by Cllr Hossack  to agree the recommendations in the report. Following a discussion a vote was taken by a show of hands and it was RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY that:

Members are asked to:

R1. Authorise the Director, Housing and Enforcement in consultation with the Chair of Housing and Director of Corporate Resources to submit a full and detailed application for planning permission for the regeneration of Brookfield Close, subject to the preparation of a Statement of Community Involvement.

R2. Note proposed engagement with Homes England on the Council’s programme for new affordable homes and authorise the Director,  Housing and Enforcement in consultation with the Chair of Housingand Director of Corporate Resources to prepare and submit a bid forAHP funding to support a viable programme of new Council homes.

Reasons for Recommendation

The recommendations not only bring forward the Council’s Key Objective for the delivery of new Council homes but also the use of brownfield sites and reduction in carbon. The recommendations also support the viability of the schemes proposed through interaction with Homes England and the seeking authority to bid for grant funding to support the programme.

There was no item of urgent business.

The Chair closed the meeting at 8.00pm.