NORTH LINCOLNSHIRE COUNCIL
POLICY COMMITTEE
ENVIRONMENT AND LOCAL AGENDA 21
SUB-COMMITTEE
27 May 1999
PRESENT:- Councillor Gosling in the chair.
Councillors Dakin (vice-chair), Barkworth, Berry, Deas, England,
Muir and Todd.
Councillor Mrs Delaney attended the meeting under the provisions
of Standing Order 40(b).
The sub-committee met at Pittwood House, Scunthorpe.
2674 CHAIRS REMARKS - In opening the meeting
the chair paid tribute to the hard work which David Johnson, the
former chair of the sub-committee, had undertaken on behalf of the
council in promoting environmental issues in North
Lincolnshire.
2675 MINUTES - Resolved - That the minutes of
the proceedings of this sub-committee of 29 April 1999, having been
printed and circulated amongst the members, be taken as read and
correctly recorded and be signed by the chair.
2676 (2) OUTSTANDING ACTION FROM PREVIOUS MEETINGS OF
THE FORMER ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE AND THIS SUB-COMMITTEE -
A joint report was submitted by the Director of Environment and
Public Protection and the Director of Corporate Affairs which
identified outstanding items of business for this sub-committee and
the former Environment Sub-Committee with an indication of when
they were to be addressed.
Resolved - That the report be noted.
2677 DATES AND TIMES OF FUTURE MEETINGS - Resolved
- That it be noted that meetings of the sub-committee will
be held at 6.30 p.m. on the following dates:-
21 July 1999
14 October 1999
9 December 1999
24 February 1999
2678 PRESENTATION ON LOCAL AGENDA 21 STRATEGY -
The Director of Environment and Public Protection gave a
presentation to the sub-committee on the progress of work towards a
sustainable future through the council's Local Agenda 21
strategy entitled "Today's Choices for Tomorrow's
World". The Director discussed the 13 themes of
sustainability; the priorities for North Lincolnshire, and the
proposed way forward to develop the strategy.
Resolved - That the contents of the
presentation be noted.
2679 (3) HOME ENERGY EFFICIENCY SCHEME - The
Director of Environment and Public Protection submitted a report
seeking comments on a consultation paper issued by the Department
of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (DETR) concerning the
proposed new Home Energy Efficiency Scheme (HEES) grant regime
aimed at tackling fuel poverty.
The new scheme replaced the existing HEES grant programme and
the report summarised the main changes which were proposed under
the new regime.
Copies of the full document had been deposited in political
group offices and were available from the director and committee
staff. Comments on the proposals contained within the document had
been requested by the DETR by 16 July 1999.
Resolved - That the Director of Environment and
Public Protection, in consultation with the chair be authorised to
submit detailed comments to the DETR on the consultation paper
before the 16 July deadline.
2680 (4) NEW DEAL SCHEME - A report was
submitted by the Director of Environment and Public Protection
informing members of the Government's New Deal scheme which
came into operation on 1 April 1998.
The framework for New Deal offers young people up to four
months' support and guidance within a 'Gateway' scheme,
followed by one of four options -
i) full time education for up to 12 months to reach NVQ Level
2,
ii) subsidised employment for six months, plus training,
iii) environmental task force placement for six months, plus
training,
iv) voluntary sector placement for six months, plus
training.
The report outlined the work being undertaken in implementing
the Environmental Task Force option throughout North
Lincolnshire.
Resolved - That the development of the
Environment Task Force be endorsed, and progress on New Deal in
North Lincolnshire be welcomed.
2681 (5) NEW FOCUS FOR ENGLAND'S WOODLANDS
- The Director of Environment and Public Protection
submitted a report which reviewed a document published by the
Forestry Commission entitled "A New Focus for England's
Woodlands". The sub-committee was informed that the document
contained the strategic priorities of the Commission and these were
examined with relevance to the directorate's past and present
involvement in woodland management and creation in North
Lincolnshire.
Recommended to Committee - (a) That the
Forestry Commission be informed that North Lincolnshire Council
strongly supports the elements of the English Forestry Strategy
outlined in the director's report, and (b) that the Director of
Environment and Public Protection continue to work with landowners
and community groups to encourage increased tree planting and
promote better access to the area's woodlands.
2682 (6) WINTERINGHAM ENVENTURE SCHEME - A
report was submitted by the Director of Environment and Public
Protection informing the sub-committee of the development of the
Winteringham Enventure Scheme and seeking approval to continue the
scheme into 1999.
Recommended to Committee - That approval be
given to develop the scheme further during 1999.
2683 (7) NEW HOLLAND PARK - A report was
submitted by the Director of Environment and Public Protection
informing the sub-committee of the development of a piece of land
to the north of New Holland primary school in conjunction with the
school head, the Parent Teacher's Association, the Parish
Council and other interested local people and industrialists.
A scheme of environmental improvements including landscaping,
tree planting and installation of play equipment had been designed
and money had been raised by the school to fund the project.
Members were further informed that an adjoining piece of land in
the ownership of the council also needed improving in a similar
way.
A map of the area in question was appended to the director's
report.
Recommended to Committee - That the necessary
work to the adjoining council owned land be approved to support
this local initiative.
2684 (8) RIVER ANCHOLME PHASE II - The Director
of Environment and Public Protection submitted a report informing
members of the successful conclusion of the River Ancholme
Improvement Scheme Phase II.
The report outlined all the works carried out during the life of
the project in conjunction with the other partners including the
Environment Agency, user groups of the River Ancholme, and adjacent
landowners.
The scheme had cost a total of £1,000,000 and funding had
been provided by the Environment Agency, European Regional
Development Fund, Scunthorpe and District Anglers, Rugby Cement,
Brigg Town Centre, DONKEY Action Group and Enventure Northern,
together with a contribution of £185,000 from this
council.
Recommended to Committee - (a) That all parties
in the project be sent a letter thanking them for their help and
assistance in the scheme; (b) that a joint event with the above
partners be organised, celebrating the successful completion of the
scheme, and (c) that the director investigate any future possible
works to the County Bridge at Brigg.
2685 (9) ENVIRONMENT GRANT SCHEME - The
Director of Environment and Public Protection submitted a report
informing the sub-committee of i) the environment grant awards made
to local organisations during 1998/99 and ii) the submission of a
further application for funding under the scheme.
During the 1998/99 financial year, six applications had been
considered, two were turned down and four grants were awarded. One
of the four grants awarded however had not been claimed due to the
applicants not being successful in raising the additional funds
required to progress the project.
Resolved - (a) That a letter be sent to Epworth
Baptist Church enquiring if they are now able to progress their
scheme; (b) that a grant of £300 be awarded to Bonby Pre
School Committee; (c) that the applicants be requested to submit a
progress report on the scheme, and (d) that appropriate publicity
be arranged for the cheque presentation.
