Issue - meetings

Report of the Director of Environment and Culture

1.      The recommendations have been agreed as set out in the Overview and Scrutiny 2, Billing Waste Water Task and Finish Group in 3.3 (1 to 7) below namely:

a)     That continuous improvement reviews of the service are carried out to ensure that their working practices continue to be in line with national standards and Government guidance

b)     That a robust proactive continuous monitoring regime be put in place by the Council’s Regulatory Services

c)      That the evidence collected by this working party is forwarded onto West Northamptonshire Development Corporation for their information in the consideration of any planning applications submitted by Anglian Water

d)     That Officers be instructed to monitor the iron salts releasing programme Water and request details of the iron salts releasing programme

e)     That a copy of the report be forwarded to all neighbouring Local Authorities

f)        That the Council’s Regulatory Services Officers contact each petitioner within the Northampton Borough Boundary, and forward the rest of the petition to Wellingborough Borough Council for action according to their processes.

2.      Is has been noted that currently there is insufficient evidence to serve an Abatement Notice

3.      This response is to be confirmed to Overview and Scrutiny 2.

As the relevant Portfolio Holder, Councillor Crake explained that the investigation had arisen following complaints about the smell from Billing Waste Water Treatment works. However, having spoken with relevant officers, Councillor Crake was satisfied that there was insufficient evidence to serve an Abatement Order.  She was pleased to report that the Task and Finish Group had supported this and showed that officers were acting correctly.

The Chair made comment on the excellent piece of work, carried out with several authorities and proposed that it stand as an exemplar of good scrutiny.

RESOLVED

1.      That the recommendations be agreed as set out in the Overview and Scrutiny 2, Billing Waste Water Task and Finish Group in 3.3 (1 to 7) below namely:

a)     That continuous improvement reviews of the service are carried out to ensure that their working practices continue to be in line with national standards and Government guidance

b)     That a robust proactive continuous monitoring regime be put in place by the Council’s Regulatory Services

c)      That the evidence collected by this working party is forwarded onto West Northamptonshire Development Corporation for their information in the consideration of any planning applications submitted by Anglian Water

d)     That Officers be instructed to monitor the iron salts releasing programme Water and request details of the iron salts releasing programme

e)     That a copy of the report be forwarded to all neighbouring Local Authorities

f)        That the Council’s Regulatory Services Officers contact each petitioner within the Northampton Borough Boundary, and forward the rest of the petition to Wellingborough Borough Council for action according to their processes.

2.      That it be noted that currently there is insufficient evidence to serve an Abatement Notice

3.      That this response be confirmed by Cabinet to Overview and Scrutiny 2.