To confirm and sign, as a correct record, the Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 17November 2022 (Appendix ‘A’).

The minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 17 November 2022 were confirmed and signed as a correct record.

Apologies were received from Councillors R King and J Olorenshaw

Members are invited to declare any disclosable pecuniary interests or other registrable and non-registrable interests in items on the agenda.

None received.

The Committee was presented with a summary of all climate change and related actions undertaken by Runnymede Borough Council in fulfilment of the Climate Change Strategy.

Officers advised the Committee that this was an evolving summary report and Members comments were welcomed. 

The Committee felt the summary needed to be in a more accessible format for forthcoming meetings.  It was noted that due to the nature of the content it contained jargon and acronyms that were sometimes difficult to understand.  It was suggested that Members attend carbon literary training. The training was provided at no cost and would be open to all Members, however, it would be particularly beneficial for Members of this Committee and those on the Environmental Place Shaping Member Working Party.

Some concerns were raised regarding Runnymede’s carbon baseline still not being in place. The Committee was advised that there was a briefing from LUC Consultants for all Members on 8^th February, invitations had already been sent.  LUC would at that briefing be able to provide Members with more information on carbon baseline setting for Runnymede. 

The Committee noted that a lot of good work had been done in relation to Climate Change, but more communication to the public on what had been done was needed.  Officers were therefore asked to include a communications strategy to future reports along with more detail on biodiversity.

The Committee discussed the use of split bins across the Borough.  However, some

concerns regarding general waste being put in the recycling side therefore causing contamination was raised.   Officers would be preparing a report and policy relating to bins which would be presented to a future meeting of this Committee

Members were pleased to note the summary report and looked forward to receiving updates at future Committees with suggestions for improvement incorporated into future summaries.  

By resolution of the Committee, the press and public were excluded from the remainder of the meeting during the consideration of the remaining matter under Section 100A (4) of the Local Government Act 1972 on the grounds that the discussion would be likely to involve the disclosure of exempt information of the description specified in paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A to Part 1 of the Act.

The Committee was updated on delivery options relating to the Grounds Maintenance insourcing project and concurrent restructure of Open Spaces staff and functions.

The transfer was completed on 15 November 2022.   Officers were currently looking at devising schedules and rotas in preparation for the Spring. 

The purchase of plant and vehicles was progressing well with no delays expected.

Officers had in November 2022 met with representatives of sports clubs who currently used the Runnymede parks and open spaces.  This meeting was the first consultative meeting with this group of service users for several years.  

A public consultation was due to be undertaken regarding opening and locking of gates on manned parks and other open spaces.  A further report following this consultation would be brought back to the Committee when the consultation period had ended. 

There were several vacancies currently being advertised for various positions in the Green Space team.  This would ensure the Council had a full complement of gardening and green spaces staff ready for next Summer.

Members thanked Officers for the comprehensive report and update which gave clarification on the proposed course of action and associated public consultations.

Officers were asked to publish on the Council’s website, a grounds maintenance schedule which would give both members of the public and Councillors an indication of what work was been undertaken where and when, along with any known delays.

Officers would keep the Committee updated on a regular basis with reports presented to this Committee during the next 12 month transition period.