Agenda and minutes

None.

To confirm the minutes of the previous meeting held on 20 March 2024.

RESOLVED – that the minutes of the meeting held on 20 March 2024 be confirmed and signed by the Chair.

To review and reconfirm the Terms of Reference for the Environment Scrutiny Committee for the 2024/25 Municipal Year.

The Lead Lawyer: Property & Commercial presented the Committee’s Terms of Reference for the 2024/25 municipal year. There was a requirement in the Council’s Constitution that an annual review of the terms of reference took place at the first meeting following the Council’s Annual General Meeting. There were no proposed changes from the previous municipal year.

RESOLVED – that the Terms of Reference for the 2024/25 municipal year as set out in Appendix A be approved.

To review and confirm the proposed Work Programme for the Environment Scrutiny Committee for the 2024/25 Municipal Year.

The Democracy Officer (Scrutiny) presented the Environment Scrutiny Committee work programme to the Committee. It was an annual report delegated by Scrutiny Management Board for each scrutiny committee to review and approve their own work programme for the municipal year. A two year work programme was implemented in the preceding year to allow for in-depth work to be completed and the programme presented to Members at the time of the meeting marked the halfway point of the two year programme. Members were informed that there would be an additional item for the December 2024 meeting which would provide an update on Stoney Hill and the work that the Council had done in collaboration with the Environment Agency following recent concerns over the site.

Members commented on the work programme and asked whether items were fixed or if the programme could allow for new items to be added and existing items to be brought forward. The Democracy Officer (Scrutiny) explained that items were not fixed and new items may be added to the work programme following consultation with the Chair and Senior Officers.

Following a period of discussion, Members also askedif items on specific aspects of climate change such as flood risk and management be brought to the Committee.

The Democracy Officer (Scrutiny) explained that items such as flood risk could be included as part of other items currently scheduled on the work programme and this would be picked up as part of the regular work programming meetings with lead Officers.

Members also discussed the plastic free pledge and the work of Parish Councils in this and asked if more information could be shared. Officers agreed to share the previous reports on Plastic Free Telford to aid with this.

Members asked if an item on the impact of loss of tree lines and the Council’s response to this could be added to the work programme for consideration.

RESOLVED – that the Environment Scrutiny Committee Work Programme for the 2024/25 municipal year be approved.

The Chair updated Members on the addition of the Stony Hill item at the next meeting. The Chair also thanked Members for their input in the work programme and for their comments.