Apologies for absence were received from Nicola Holden and Simon Mutton of GYB Services.

There were no Declarations of Interest declared at the meeting.

The minutes of the meeting held on the 12 April 2017 were confirmed subject to Councillor Walch being added to those present at the meeting and that it be noted that Councillor Weymouth had tendered her apologies for the meeting.

The Director of Customer Services advised Members that the refurbishment works on the Public Conveniences, as agreed at the last meeting of the Environment Committee, would commence in the near future. It was also advised that work was still being undertaken in respect of the fully accessible facilities and that this matter would be brought back to the Committee at a later date. Some concern was raised in relation to the timescales for the fully accessible facilities, it was pointed out that the Public Convenience Refurbishment  formed part of the Capital Programme for 2017/18 therefore the works scheduled would be undertaken during the 2017/18 Financial Year.

Members raised concerns in relation to the current state of the roads within the Borough, the Director of Customer Services advised that Norfolk County Council had advised that spraying had only recently commenced, Councillor Grant advised that this matter would be raised at the Environment, Development and Transport Committee meeting at Norfolk County Council.

It was confirmed that the item relating to Footway Lighting would be brought back to the Committee at it's meeting in July.

The Committee received and noted the items contained within the Forward
Plan for the Environment Committee and the following was :-

RESOLVED :

That the Footway Lighting and Highways Roundabout items be deferred from the Committee's Forward Plan as both matters are subject to a budget review process.

The Committee considered the Environmental Health Officer's report which detailed the Great Yarmouth 2017 Air Quality Annual Status report, the report is an Annual statutory report to Government on the state of local air quality in the Borough.

Members were reminded of a request that had been made by the Environment Committee for a monitoring station to be placed at the children's nursery site on Pasteur Road, Great Yarmouth, it was reported that this had been put in place and to date after 8 months of monitoring no exceedance of the national objective level has been recorded, however this station will continue to be monitored for a period of one year to cover all seasons and the annual level assessed. At this time there is little to suggest that the annual national objective will be exceeded.

RESOLVED :

That the Committee note the Air Quality Annual Status Report 2017 and its contents.

The Committee considered the Director of Customer Services and Senior Environmental Rangers report which provided Members with background information in respect of the new Government Litter Strategy which contains a number of proposals to curb litter through enforcement, education and good infrastructure.

In discussing the report the following issues were raised :-

• Whether there were opportunities for funding of skips for clearing rubbish

• The issue of litter on the beach at Marine Parade, Great Yarmouth - it was advised that a number of voluntary litter picks are undertaken throughout the year but that beach cleanses are the responsibility of the Borough Council. A further issue was raised in relation to an area on Marine Parade that had been cordoned off, Members were advised that this particular area was classed as a pavement and not a public parking area.

• Concern was raised in relation to the disposal of dog poo bags as it was pointed out that these bags were not being disposed of in the appropriate way, the Senior Environmental Ranger advised that it was an offence if these were not disposed of correctly.

• A Member asked whether the rubbish bin within the Bunneywell Playarea could be re located, it was agreed that this matter would be discussed with GYB Services.

RESOLVED :

That the Committee note the contents of the Director of Customer Services and Senior Environmental Rangers report.

The Chairman passed on the Committee's thanks and appreciation to the Director of Customer Services for all her hard work and dedication and wished her the very best of luck within her new position.

RESOLVED :

"That under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 1 of Part I of Schedule 12(A) of the said Act."

The Chairman  advised that at the meeting of the GYB Liaison Board the issues relating to weed spraying were discussed and it had been agreed that from next year there would be no more weed spraying within the Borough, strimming would be resumed. 

Concern was raised in relation to Members receiving numerous complaints in respect of grass cuttings being left, it was advised that this matter was an ongoing issue, however it was pointed out that GYB Services were on schedule for the cutting regime.

Members discussed the issue of no disabled access at the Pirate Ship play area on Gorleston clifftop, it was agreed that this matter be looked in to.

A Member asked in relation to a new piece of play equipment which had been funded by the late Mr Fields and from Councillor K Greys ward budget which was due to be erected in Gorleston, it was agreed that this matter would be looked in to.

Concern was raised in respect of the poor condition of the Bowling Green at the Wellesley Recreation Ground, it was agreed that this matter be looked in to.

The issue of grass cutting in bradwell was discussed by Members and it was advised this matter had also been discussed at the Liaison Board meeting.

Reference was made to the amount of litter that can be seen on Caister Bypass since cutting of the grass had taken place, The Senior Environmental Ranger advised that this issue was apparent countywide and that no contact was being made by Highways England / KIER to advise the Council that cutting is being undertaken in order for litter picking to be arranged.