Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillor Tim Allebone.

No declarations were made.

RESOLVED that:

The minutes from the meeting held on the 4^th August 2022 were approved as a correct record.

The Panel considered a presentation by the Senior Public Policy Manager from Voi, regarding the E-Scooter trial across North Northamptonshire.

The representative from Voi explained that over 750,000 trips had been completed in North Northamptonshire, with 133 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions saved, by replacing car journeys.

During discussion, the principal points were noted:

·         Members queried how data gathered from the Voi E-Scooter trial had been used to inform the local cycling and walking infrastructure (LCWIPs) plans.

·         One member queried why the implementation of E-scooters was to retain ‘trial’ status, since the contract with Voi had been extended until May 2024.

·         Concerning the cost of E-scooters for hire, one member expressed disappointment at the government’s 18-month deferral of a decision regarding the regulation private E-scooters. The member posited that private E-scooters, and other methods of active travel, should be de-regulated, in order to encourage and allow for more cost effective alternative methods of transport.

·         Members supported Voi’s promotion of ‘good parking’ for E-scooters and expressed a desire to see increased suitable parking of scooters in public areas.

·         Members questioned when Voi planned to expand the implementation of E-bikes across North Northamptonshire.

·         Members queried how many scooters had been lost through rider misuse and requested an assessment of the viability of active transport for hire going forward.

·         One member expressed concern that riders were not required to wear helmets when using active transport.

·         One member posited that it would be imperative for the local authority to support cycling infrastructure, to promote safety.

In response, the Senior Public Policy Manager clarified that:

·         The trial status of E-scooters in North Northamptonshire would be maintained until May 2024 to allow for the Department for Transport to establish legislation. By 2024, legislation for E-Scooters would most likely be confirmed and the trial status would be removed.

·         Voi would continue to lobby central government to ensure that adequate funding be provided to local authorities, to improve infrastructure around alternative transport methods.

·         There had been a significant reduction in the number of E-scooters damaged or lost through misuse in the previous year. E-bikes had been damaged at a higher rate than E-scooters, due to the fact that components on these vehicles could be more easily tampered with. Therefore, E-bike schemes were difficult to operate in a commercially sustainable way.

RESOLVED that:

The report be noted.

The Panel considered a presentation by the Waste Manager, which outlined the three-year waste management plan across North Northamptonshire.

During discussion, the principal points were noted:

·         Members queried whether the team was at full capacity to carry out the work outlined in the plan.

·         Regarding the issue of fly-tipping, predominantly relating to fridge-freezers, members queried whether the local authority intended to promote initiatives to dissuade residents from fly-tipping.

·         One member acknowledged that work would need to be carried out to continue informing residents around recycling.

·         One member expressed concern around the operation of the Corby household waste recycling centre and suggested that it was not fit for purpose.

·         Members queried whether government funding would be made available to assist with the changes that would need to be made through the three-year waste plan.

·         One member queried whether home composting would be promoted as a green waste initiative.

In response, the Waste Manager clarified that:

·         The waste team was almost at full capacity. An imbalance had existed, with officers working in the former legacy East Northamptonshire area. Nevertheless, these officers had now gained valuable experience, which would prove beneficial in carrying out the work detailed in the waste plan.

·         A number of initiatives, such as waste amnesties, would be implemented to combat fly-tipping. The local authority would also seek to use its commercial partners to help support this work.

·         Funding would likely be made available through DEFRA however, the details of this had not yet been published.

·         Home composting would be promoted through the waste plan.

RESOLVED that:

The report be noted.

The Panel considered a presentation by the Planning Policy Lead Manager, regarding the Kettering Station Quarter Masterplan.

During discussion, the principal points were noted:

·         One member expressed concern regarding the possibility of the removal of trees as part of the ‘enhancement of the green corridor’, as referenced in the presentation.

·         Members expressed a desire to see increased cycling routes to the station.

In response, the Planning Policy Lead Manager clarified that:

·         Officers sought to ensure that green spaces lost to development were not those which were home to animal habitats or valuable in terms of public use.

·         Much of the responsibility concerning flooding sat with the environment agency. When flooding incidents occurred, it was not the role of the lead local flood authority to act as a first response. Procedures were in place, through the emergency planning team, which would be led by blue light emergency services.

RESOLVED that:

The report be noted.

It was noted that the next meeting of the Climate Change, Environment and Growth Executive Advisory Panel would be held virtually, via Zoom, on Tuesday 27^th September at 9:30am.