The Overview and Scrutiny Committee of Teignbridge Council met on Tuesday, 18 June 2024, to discuss various significant topics, including recycling and waste management, conservation areas, and the webcasting of meetings. Key decisions were made, and several issues were deferred for further consideration.

Recycling and Waste Management

Councillor Williams provided an update on recycling, household waste, and environmental health. The recycling rate increased by 0.1% to 53%, placing Teignbridge in the top 12% of districts nationwide. The council is focusing on improving recycling performances, particularly in garden waste collections. The waste fleet decarbonation project is underway, with 20 battery electric vehicles scheduled to arrive in October 2024. The council is also considering changes to the national waste and resources strategy, which may impact recycling revenues and collection methods.

Councillor Williams highlighted the extensive remit of environmental health and licensing, covering food safety, health protection, noise pollution, and more. The council is also addressing fly-tipping, with 312 incidents dealt with this year. Additionally, the council has conducted visits to funeral directors to ensure compliance with industry standards following issues in other regions.

Conservation Areas

The committee discussed the NOM Conservation Areas, focusing on the need for green improvements in conservation areas. Councillor McGregor, presenting on behalf of Councillor Malone, emphasized the importance of allowing residents to make energy-efficient improvements to their homes. The committee acknowledged that conservation area character appraisals are outdated and need updating. The first four appraisals are expected to be completed within the next six to twelve months.

Section 106 Contributions

The committee debated the NOM s106 regarding the loss of Section 106 contributions. Councillor Taylor argued for greater involvement of the planning committee in decisions about changes to Section 106 agreements. However, the committee decided to maintain the current system, emphasizing the importance of relying on officers' expertise and the existing process for calling in applications.

Webcasting of Meetings

The committee considered the Notices of Motion regarding the recording and retention of Council meetings. Councillor Bullivant proposed maintaining the status quo and reviewing the webcasting contract when it comes up for renewal in 2025. The committee agreed, noting the importance of transparency and the potential costs involved in expanding webcasting.

Public Speaking Procedure at Planning Committee

Councillor Paul Parker's proposal to allow public speaking at planning committee meetings was debated. The committee expressed concerns about the potential for legal challenges and the risk of turning meetings into adversarial environments. The proposal was deferred for further consideration, with a suggestion to look into how other councils manage public speaking at planning meetings.

Task and Finish Groups

The committee acknowledged the importance of task and finish groups in supporting the community and improving services. Updates on the medium-term financial plan task and finish group were deferred to the next meeting.

For more details, please refer to the Agenda frontsheet and the Public reports pack.