Agenda item

Minutes

To agree the public minutes and summary of the meeting held on 21 November 2017.

Minutes:

RESOLVED – That the public minutes of the meeting held on 21 November 2017 be approved as a correct record.

 

Matters Arising

 

Draft Code of Practice for Deconstruction and Construction Sites

The Port Health and Public Protection Director explained that a meeting had taken place with Counsel in December 2017 to seek advice on next steps regarding the consultation document. The draft questionnaire had been provided to Counsel and upon receipt of their advice, the questionnaire would be circulated to the Committee for comment and then to the Chairman and Deputy Chairman for sign off, once officers and Counsel have addressed any issues raised.

 

The Port Health and Public Protection Director explained that following the questionnaire being signed-off, a timescale would be agreed and provided to the Committee, it was further advised that observations of Saturday working would take place by officers to inform decisions on any future changes.

 

In response, a Member of the Committee raised the following points:

·         People understand that Saturday working is about keeping to a time frame and that the Polluter Pays initiative would soon be rolled out.

·         Sending officers to monitor Saturday working would be helpful.

·         It was noted at the November Port Health and Environmental Services Committee meeting that the composition of the Working Party was a decision for the Committee, however no appointments had been made by the Committee.

·         That there were alternatives to Saturday working, such as sharing the five hours allocated for Saturday working across Monday-Friday or carrying out work on alternate weekends to allow residents quiet time.

·         That he would be interested in joining discussions taking place.

 

In response to the points raised, a Member commented that if a panel were formed, it should contain some elected representatives of the wards concerned to allow Members to assist discussions effectively. The Member added that they supported the ideas of alternate Saturday working and longer hours during the week, noting that the Barbican flats were increasingly become primary homes for people and they should be allowed the quiet enjoyment of their homes.

 

The Port Health and Public Protection Director explained that the suggestions provided from Members at the November Committee meeting had been included in the draft questionnaire and asked Members to submit any further ideas for inclusion. In response, a Member added that it would be helpful for a Sub-Committee to be formed to work with officers.

 

The Chairman advised that there would be further discussions at the March meeting of the Committee, with the questionnaire and timescales put before Members.

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