Agenda and minutes

Minutes of the Meeting held on  13^th July 2022 (previously circulated). 

The Minutes of the meeting held on 13^th July 2022 were signed by the Chair as a correct record.

There were no items of Urgent Business.

To receive declarations by Councillors of interests in respect of items on this Agenda. 

Councillors are reminded that, in accordance with the Localism Act 2011, they are required to declare any disclosable pecuniary interests which have not already been declared in the Council’s Register of Interests. (It is a criminal offence not to declare a disclosable pecuniary interest either in the Register or at the meeting). 

Whilst not a legal requirement, in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 9 and in the interests of clarity and transparency, Councillors should declare any disclosable pecuniary interests which they have already declared in the Register, at this point in the meeting. 

In accordance with Part B Section 2 of the Code Of Conduct, Councillors are required to declare the existence and nature of any other interests as defined in paragraphs 8(1) or 9(2) of the Code of Conduct. 

There were no Declarations of Interest.

·       To consider Public Realm issues, in particular for this Council’s bins and benches in public places and bin collection. 

·       A representative from Lancashire County Council  has been invited to the meeting to discuss weeds on the highways within the district, in particular what are the county council’s plans for the future, the use of chemicals and if/when the use of chemicals is going to cease.

The Chair welcomed the Head of Public Realm and the Acting Director for Communities and Environment, to the meeting.

The Committee was advised that representatives from Lancashire County Council had been expected to attend the meeting, but prior to the meeting an email had been received informing the Committee that they were now not attending.

The Committee agreed that any questions or comments raised regarding the County Council’s responsibility for weeds on the highways should be emailed to Democratic Services and these would be forwarded on to Lancashire County Council.

The Head of Public Realm for the City Council gave an overview of the responsibilities undertaken by the service. The Committee was given information about bin collection, the emptying of bins, fly tipping, recycling, littering and the seating.

Members of the Committee went on to ask questions regarding blown waste, road sweeping, fly tipping, waste collection and bins.  The Committee wet on to discuss the problem of student housing and reporting mechanisms.

At the Chair’s discretion, other Councillors present were invited to ask questions.

Resolved :-

(1)   That the Head of Public Realm and the Acting Director for Communities and Environment be thanked for their attendance at the meeting.

(2)   That any questions or comments regarding the County Council’s responsibility for weeds on the highways be emailed to Democratic Services and forwarded on to Lancashire County Council.

Councillor Joanna Young, Chair of the Working Group has been invited to attend the meeting.

The Chair welcomed Councillor Joanna Young, Chair of the Recycling Working Group to the meeting.

Councillor Young gave the Committee an overview of the work of the Working Group. The Committee agreed that the Working Group should continue its work.

Resolved :-

That the Recycling Working Group continue its work.

Report of the Head of Democratic Services. 

The Committee considered the updated Work Programme and noted the update on the timing of the Planning Task Group with a briefing being moved from October to November 2022.

Resolved :-

That the report be noted.