Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Thompson. 

Councillor P Carpenter declared a personal interest in item 6 as she is Chairman of Coastal Partnership East, and a member of Broadland Futures Initiative and Water Resources East, all of which are mentioned in the report. 

Councillor Bensly declared a personal personal interest in item 6 as he is a member of Coastal Partnership East and Water Resources East, all of which are mentioned in the report.

Councillor Fairhead declared a personal interest in item 6 as she is a member of the Internal Drainage Board which is mentioned in the report. 

Councillor Cameron declared a personal interest in item 6 as she is a member of the Internal Drainage Board which is mentioned in the report. 

However, in accordance with the Council's Constitution, they were allowed to both speak and vote on the matters. 

The minutes of the meeting held on 28 July were confirmed by assent. 

The Committee received and considered the Forward Plan. 

The Chair advised that the Playground and Open Space review report would now be presented to the Environment Committee scheduled for 26 January 2022.

Members requested that an update and position statement in respect of the Playground and Open Space Review be brought to the next Environment Committee scheduled for 25 November 2021.

Agreed

The Committee received a presentation from Jennifer Hobson, on behalf of the Friends of Horsey Seals. The presentation described the background and work undertaken in respect of the  'Keeping Seals safe from flying rings' awareness campaign.

Members expressed their thanks and support for this campaign and also highlighted the issues caused by other plastics and litter.

The Chair thanked Jennifer Hobson on behalf of the Committee for the work undertaken to protect the Seals. 

Councillor Talbot suggested that a letter be sent to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), (the Rt Hon George Eustice MP) asking that the sale of the flying rings be made illegal and highlighting the issues caused in respect of the seal population. 

Committee members agreed to write to the Secretary of State. 

The Committee received a presentation from Karen Thomas (Coastal Partnership East) which summarised the contents of the report.

Councillor P Carpenter expressed her thanks for the report which reflected the extensive knowledge and work undertaken on this matter. 

Councillor Fairhead commented that she was pleased to note that this will be a mechanism to connect the different organisations involved in this work. 

RESOLVED

1. To endorse the Norfolk Strategic Flooding Alliance Strategy and Action Plan as set out in Appendix 1 of the report.
2. To support a collaborative approach to flooding and water management in Norfolk.
3. To ensure that there continues to be a planned and resilient approach to flooding across the County. 

Agreed

The Chair advised that this item has been deferred to the next Committee meeting. 

The Committee received a presentation updating them on the Garden Waste Service Provision from the Head of Environmental Services. 

He advised Committee that the service has been running for ten years with a 530% increase in subscribers since year 1. There is a fortnightly collection (with a two week break at Christmas). The collection tonnage to date this year is 2381 which is 550 tonnnes up against last year.

Committee were given an overview of the service potential moving forward, currently there is around 75% take up. Any increase in current subscriptions would require a review in respect of collection resources. 

There were two disruptions to service, (Covid) in March 2020 the service was suspended for six weeks  and in February 2021 the service was suspended for four weeks due to snow / ice in both instances this was so that staff could support the core services.

The Head of Environmental Services reminded Committee of the government consultation undertaken earlier in the year on 'Consistency in Household and Business Recycling in England' this included a specific piece on garden waste which has the potential to significantly increase service costs. 

The Committee discussed the information distributed in respect of waste bins and what is acceptable and how we promote this moving forward.

RESOLVED

• To note the update.

Agreed

The Committee received and considered the Household Waste and Recycling Collection - Round Review Update from the Director of Operational Services.

He briefed committee on the work undertaken to date and the new route implementation plan along with the communication plan in progress. 

The Chair thanked the Director and his team for the quick turnaround of this significant piece of work.

Councillor Bensly asked for an update on options to reduce  CO²  emissions with particular reference to using alternative fuels. The Director of Operational Services advised that a group has been set up to specifically look at use of alternative fuels, particularly vegetable oils and is investigating options in respect of electric lifters. 

Councillor Waters-Bunn asked if the publicity would be in the press prior to the changes to ensure that it is as widely advertised as possible. The Director of Operational Services said that this was part of the communications plan and publicity was ongoing on social media. He also advised that the implementation will be monitored and there will be standby crews to support in case of any issues. 

RESOLVED

1. To note the update contained in the report.
2. To approve the implementation of round review as set out in para 3 of the report.

Agreed

The Chairman advised that there were no further items of business to be discussed.