Issue - meetings

That the report be noted.

The Environment and Housing Overview and Scrutiny Facilitator introduced a report to inform the Committee of its Terms of Reference, set in the context of Terms of Reference of all of the Overview and Scrutiny Committees.

Following the Annual Council meeting held on 15 May, 2012, the Council now had a Constitution Committee and six functional Overview and Scrutiny Committees as detailed in the report.  The Terms of Reference of all six Overview and Scrutiny Committees were attached at Appendix 1 of the report and Members were asked to note its contents to assist them in understanding the remit of all Overview and Scrutiny Committees.

Specific Overview and Scrutiny training sessions would be held on 6 and 7 June, 2012, to which all Members of the Council had been invited.  The Environment and Housing Overview and Scrutiny Facilitator encouraged Members of the Committee to attend the training sessions as there would be the opportunity to ask questions.

            The Chairman invited the Director of Environment and Heads of Service to give a brief presentation on the work within each of the service areas.  The Director of Environment circulated a fact sheet on the Environment Directorate and the Head of Assets and Transportation, Head of Streetscene and Interim Public Protection Manager gave a brief overview of their areas of responsibility and the services provided by the Environment Directorate.

            Councillor D. Evans asked if the Council had been using a smart phone application and the ‘Fix My Street’ website to access requests from members of the public as he was aware of requests that were outstanding.  The Head of Streetscene reported that the ‘Fix My Street’ website was still in use and any requests made by members of the public should generate an e-mail to the Streetscene Service.  He said that he would look into the outstanding issues following the meeting.  He commented that the use of a smart phone application was an excellent idea that could be progressed.   

            The Director of Environment gave a brief overview of the areas of responsibility on behalf of the Head of Planning and Head of Regeneration.  He also provided a detailed update on the following key areas for priority in the year ahead:-

·        Civic Parking Enforcement

·        North Wales Residual Waste Treatment Project

·        Food Waste Project

·        Enterprise Zone

·        Town Centre Regeneration

·        Highway Transport Infrastructure

·        Local Development Plan (LDP)

The Committee thanked the Director of Environment and Heads of Service for the information they had provided to Members.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.