Councillors: S J Anderson, H Bettison, D G R Buckle, H E Elliott, G E Miller, J M F Nesbit, F I Simpson, J W Stephenson, W G R Weeks and M J Young.
274. APOLOGIES:
An apology for absence was received on behalf of Councillor J Waterhouse.
IN ATTENDANCE:
Councillors A R Bowlas, A B Douglas, J D Lockie and A H Murray.
275. 1. DECLARATION OF INTEREST 1
Councillor S J Anderson declared a non-prejudicial interest in item 277 – Crime, Disorder and Drugs Audit Report.
276. 2. MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF POLICY (ENVIRONMENT) HELD ON 1ST SEPTEMBER 2004
DECISION: To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the Meeting of Policy (Environment) Committee held 1st September 2004.
277. 3. CRIME, DISORDER AND DRUGS AUDIT REPORT 1
DECISION: (i) To note the report; and
(ii) To invite Members to endorse the Crime Audit Report and provide comments on the Report back to the Community Safety Officer by the deadline of 5th November 2004.
278. 4. EXTENSION TO PRESENT TWIN BIN KERBSIDE COLLECTION PROGRAMME 3
DECISION: To agree to the extension of the recycling service to properties in Norham and Horncliffe.
279. 5. RADON IN THE WOOLER AREA 4
[Note: The above mentioned item was withdrawn and would be tabled at a future Meeting of the Committee].
280. 6. URBAN NESTING SEAGULLS 7
DECISION: (i) To agree that there is sufficient evidence of a problem to warrant continuing action;
(ii) To commission a further study of the numbers and distribution of breeding gulls;
(iii) To continue to support the present free proofing of chimney stacks;
(iv) To await the outcome of the study before deciding on the implementation of other control methods either additional to or instead of the stack-proofing; and
(v) To await the findings of the survey before making appropriate budgetary provision.
281. 7. HOUSING REVENUE ACCOUNT – BUSINESS PLAN 2004/05
DECISION: To approve the HRA Business Plan 2004/05.
282. 8. FOOD SAFETY ENFORCEMENT 13
DECISION: To note the content of the report.
283. 9. REPORT ON COMPLETED ENERY AUDIT OF THE SWAN CENTRE, BERWICK AND PROPOSAL FOR AN ENERGY AUDIT OF BERWICK BOROUGH COUNCIL 14
DECISION: (i) To agree to fund the appointment of an independent energy consultant to perform a comprehensive audit of Council buildings and make an assessment of energy saving opportunities;
(ii) To make provision for and subsequently implement the audit outcomes; and
(iii) To note the potential for cost savings and improved business performance management available to the Council through the implementation of effective environmental management systems (e.g. energy audits and energy management) as evidenced from the Swan Centre audit.
284. 10. CAR PARKING REVIEW WORKING GROUP 16
DECISION: (i) To agree to constitute a Car Parking Review Sub Committee; and
(ii) To agree that a report be taken to the Council Meeting on 28 October 2004 setting out the proposals for the terms of reference and composition of the Sub-Committee.
285. 11. UPDATING HOUSING NEEDS SURVEY AND RELATED RESEARCH
DECISION: (i) To approve in principle the updating of the Borough wide housing needs survey and related research, subject to resources being made available;
(ii) In view of the timing of the work required to be carried out in respect of the Regional Spatial Strategy, to propose the funding required for the survey be included as an essential growth item of the budget setting process for 2005/06; and
(iii) To request that this report be considered by the next Meeting of Policy (Corporate Services and Regeneration) Committee.
286. CAR PARKING AT CHRISTMAS
DECISION: (i) To agree to allow free car parking in Berwick on Mondays only from 29 November to 13 December 2004 inclusive and from the Sunday before Christmas until Christmas Eve; and
(ii) To investigate the possibility of providing a park and ride facility by designating additional car parking site(s) with a dedicated bus link into the town for next year.
