Minutes

1.1         Proposed by Councillor Matthew Green and seconded by Councillor Barbara Arzymanow that Councillor Tony Devenish be elected Chairman of the City Management and Public Protection Policy and Scrutiny Committee.

1.2         Proposed by Councillor Aicha Less and seconded by Councillor Hamza Taozzale that Councillor Paul Dimoldenberg be elected Chairman of the City Management and Public Protection Policy and Scrutiny Committee.

1.3         Upon being put to the vote the nomination for Councillor Tony Devenish was declared carried.

RESOLVED: That Councillor Tony Devenish be elected Chairman of the City Management and Public Protection Policy and Scrutiny Committee.

2.1      The Chairman sought any personal or prejudicial interests in respect of the items to be discussed from members and officers, in addition to the standing declarations previously made.

2.2      Councillor Tony Devenish declared that he was a member of the Greater London Authority.

RESOLVED:

3.1       That the Minutes of the Business, Planning and Transport Policy and Scrutiny Committee held on 12 April 2018 be signed by the Chairman as a correct record of proceedings.

4.1      Councillor Tim Mitchell (Cabinet Member for Environment and City Management) provided an overview of the following service areas in his portfolio and the key issues relating to each one: Greener City Action Plan, Transport and Highways, Parking and Waste and Parks. The Committee also heard from Richard Barker (Executive Director of City Management and Communities).

4.2      The Committee noted the relatively low recycling rates within Westminster and requested information on how it was intended to increase these, if feasible. Councillor Mitchell advised that a range of educational activities had been implemented to increase awareness of recycling. It was acknowledged however that further publicity work was required to change behaviour and this would be investigated in conjunction with how kerbside collections were carried out.

4.3      The Committee expressed concern that there appeared to be an increasing problem over the dumping of waste, often of a commercial nature, in parts of Westminster. Richard Barker advised that the clean-up operations required after the dumping of waste involved significant Council resources and that significant resources were also being deployed to enforce against rubbish dumping. As such, any additional scrutiny was welcomed to review the waste collection processes in place and also to look at potential deterrents, including the use of portable CCTV.

4.4      Members expressed interest in the progress made on the installation of electric vehicle on-street charging points throughout Westminster. Richard Barker advised that the Council was currently investigating the different electric vehicle charging technologies on offer to identify which was most appropriate and suitable. It was noted that an emerging electric vehicle strategy was being developed. The Committee was advised that information on how many applications had been made to install electric vehicle on-street charging points and there usage would be circulated following the meeting.

4.5      Other issues discussed included the maintenance of pavements, the Baker Street Two Way Project, misuse of drains, potholes and illegal parking. Councillor Mitchell advised the Committee that he would arrange to meet Councillors in their Wards on a monthly basis to discuss local residential and business issues.

5.1      Aaron Hardy (Policy and Scrutiny Manager) andArtemis Kassi (Policy & Scrutiny Officer) presented a report suggesting topics for the Committee to consider when deciding its 2018/19 work programme.

5.2      The Committee discussed potential future topics for the 2018/19 work programme and agreed to focus on some of the following issues:

·           The creation of a Task Group to focus on scrutinising the introduction of the Metropolitan Police’s Basic Command Units. The Committee agreed that the membership of the Task Group would consist of Councillors Devenish, Arzymanow and Dimoldenberg. The Task Group was scheduled to meet with the Metropolitan Police on 19 June 2018;

·           The establishment of a Task Group to investigate the illegal dumping of waste in Westminster; and

·           A future review be placed on the work programme to focus on sexual exploitation.

5.3      The Committee discussed in detail the suggested priority topics and agreed that Noise Pollution Policy be upgraded to a medium priority and the issues surrounding phone boxes in Westminster to remain as a medium priority.