Minutes – Environmental Scrutiny – 17/11/2025

Meeting Name: Environment and Scrutiny Committee
Date: Wednesday, 17 November 2025
Time: 10:00 - 12:00
Venue: The Square, Ambridge, Borsetshire, B5 0AL
Chair: Mark Banner

Present:
- Mark Banner (Chair)
- Alan Brown
- Brian Cole

Apologies:
- Emma Reynolds
- Charles Roberts

Absent:
- None

Officers/Advisers:
- Rachel Stevens, Environmental Services Manager
- Emily Carter, Climate Resilience Adviser
- Peter Lawson, Infrastructure and Open Spaces Officer
- Dr. Helen Marsh, Independent Ecological Adviser

Members were invited to declare any interests relating to items on the agenda.

No declarations of interest were made.

Decision:
RESOLVED: That no declarations of interest were received.

Action:
No action required.

The minutes of the meeting held on 20 October 2025 were reviewed.

Decision:
RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting held on 20 October 2025 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

Action:
Action 4.1: Democratic Services Officer to publish the approved minutes on the council website.

Two written submissions were received from residents regarding flood prevention measures and the council's pesticide reduction programme.

One resident requested additional flood protection works near low-lying footpaths adjacent to the river corridor. A second resident expressed support for expanding restrictions on chemical herbicide use within council-managed green spaces.

Members noted the submissions and thanked residents for their engagement.

Decision:
RESOLVED: That the public representations be received and considered as part of the relevant agenda items.

Action:
Action 5.1: Environmental Services Manager to provide written responses to the residents and incorporate relevant feedback into future programme reviews.

Item 6.1 – Winter Flood Mitigation Strategy Review

The Committee reviewed the proposed Winter Flood Mitigation Strategy for 2025/26.

Officers presented updated flood-risk assessments, drainage inspection reports, and emergency response procedures. Members scrutinised the preparedness of key infrastructure assets and questioned officers regarding resilience measures in historically vulnerable locations.

Decision:
RESOLVED: That the Winter Flood Mitigation Strategy be endorsed and recommended to the Executive for implementation.

Action:
Action 6.1: Infrastructure and Open Spaces Officer to commence scheduled flood-prevention works and report progress in January 2026.

Item 6.2 – Council Carbon Emissions Audit 2025

The Climate Resilience Adviser presented the annual carbon emissions audit covering all council-managed properties and operations.

Members noted an overall reduction in emissions compared with the previous reporting year, largely attributed to energy efficiency investments and reduced fuel consumption across council facilities.

Decision:
RESOLVED: That the Carbon Emissions Audit be received and noted.

Action:
Action 6.2: Climate Resilience Adviser to prepare a public summary report highlighting key achievements and areas requiring improvement.

Item 6.3 – Net Zero 2030 Programme Progress Review

The Committee examined progress against the council's Net Zero 2030 Strategy.

Members questioned officers regarding project delivery timelines, emissions reduction targets, and future investment requirements.

Decision:
RESOLVED: That progress against the Net Zero 2030 Strategy be noted and that quarterly performance monitoring continue.

Action:
Action 6.3: Environmental Services Manager to submit an updated Net Zero progress dashboard at the next scrutiny meeting.

Item 6.4 – Parish Hall Heat Pump Performance Assessment

Members reviewed operational data relating to the newly installed heat pump systems at the Parish Hall.

Performance reports indicated lower energy consumption and reduced carbon emissions compared with the previous heating system.

Following detailed scrutiny, members expressed support for expanding similar technologies to additional council-owned buildings.

Decision:
RESOLVED: That the performance of the Parish Hall heat pump installation be noted and considered a successful pilot project.

Action:
Action 6.4: Property Services Team to investigate the feasibility of heat pump installations at other council facilities.

Item 6.5 – Community Hub Insulation Upgrade Programme

The Committee reviewed proposals for additional thermal insulation works at the Community Hub to improve winter energy efficiency.

Members considered projected energy savings, installation costs, and long-term carbon reduction benefits.

Decision:
RESOLVED: That the proposed insulation upgrades be approved and recommended for inclusion within the 2026 maintenance programme.

Action:
Action 6.5: Property Services Team to prepare detailed specifications and procurement documentation.

Item 6.6 – Biodiversity Net-Gain Project Review

Dr. Helen Marsh presented an update on biodiversity enhancement projects delivered during 2025.

Members reviewed habitat creation outcomes, species monitoring results, and progress toward biodiversity net-gain objectives.

Decision:
RESOLVED: That the biodiversity programme continue as planned and that opportunities for further habitat enhancement be explored.

Action:
Action 6.6: Ecological Adviser to prepare recommendations for additional biodiversity projects during 2026.

Item 6.7 – Glyphosate Usage Policy Review

The Committee considered evidence relating to the environmental impacts of glyphosate-based herbicides used within council-managed cemeteries and public open spaces.

Members reviewed officer reports, ecological assessments, and public feedback submissions.

Following discussion, members agreed that alternative weed-management approaches should be adopted where practical.

Decision:
RESOLVED: That the Committee formally recommend a complete ban on glyphosate-based products across all civic cemeteries from the commencement of the 2026 municipal year.

Action:
Action 6.7: Environmental Services Manager to prepare an implementation plan outlining alternative maintenance practices and associated resource requirements.

Item 6.8 – Environmental Impact Assessment of Major Infrastructure Projects

Members reviewed environmental impact assessments relating to several forthcoming infrastructure proposals.

The Committee examined biodiversity impacts, carbon implications, and mitigation measures associated with each project.

Decision:
RESOLVED: That officers incorporate the Committee's recommendations into future project planning and environmental assessments.

Action:
Action 6.8: Environmental Services Manager to provide a response report detailing how scrutiny recommendations have been addressed.

The Committee reviewed the actions arising from the meeting and agreed the following follow-up activities.

Action 4.1: Democratic Services Officer to publish the approved minutes of the previous meeting on the council website.

Action 5.1: Environmental Services Manager to respond to residents who submitted comments regarding flood mitigation and pesticide reduction.

Action 6.1: Infrastructure and Open Spaces Officer to commence approved flood-prevention works and provide a progress update.

Action 6.2: Climate Resilience Adviser to prepare a public-facing summary of the annual carbon emissions audit.

Action 6.3: Environmental Services Manager to provide an updated Net Zero 2030 performance dashboard.

Action 6.4: Property Services Team to investigate additional heat pump installation opportunities across council-owned facilities.

Action 6.5: Property Services Team to prepare specifications and procurement documentation for Community Hub insulation upgrades.

Action 6.6: Independent Ecological Adviser to prepare recommendations for future biodiversity net-gain initiatives.

Action 6.7: Environmental Services Manager to develop an implementation plan for the proposed glyphosate ban.

Action 6.8: Environmental Services Manager to provide a formal response to scrutiny recommendations relating to infrastructure project assessments.

Members noted all actions and agreed that progress updates would be reported at future meetings.

The next meeting of the Environment and Scrutiny Committee will be held on Wednesday, 17 December 2025 at 10:00 in the Council Chamber.

Decision:
RESOLVED: That the date of the next meeting be noted.

Action:
Action 8.1: Democratic Services Officer to circulate the agenda and supporting reports in advance of the meeting.

There being no further business, the Chair thanked members, officers, and advisers for their attendance and contributions.

The meeting closed at 12:00.

Decision:
RESOLVED: That the meeting be formally closed.

Action:
No further action required.