Agenda and minutes

The Chairperson welcomed everyone to the meeting and went through some general housekeeping arrangements for the meeting.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors V J Bell and N J Swindle.

To confirm the Minutes of the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 6 February 2025 (copy enclosed).

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 6 February 2025 be approved and confirmed.

To disclose the existence and nature of any Disclosable Pecuniary Interests, Other Registrable interests and Non-Registrable Interests relating to items of business on the agenda having regard to paragraph 9 and Appendix B of the Code of Conduct for Members.

(Members are reminded that they are also required to disclose any such interests as soon as they become aware should the need arise throughout the meeting).

There were none.

To receive the views of members of the public of which prior notification in writing has been received (no later than noon on the Tuesday prior to the day of the meeting).

Should you wish to submit a question please completed the online form at www.maldon.gov.uk/publicparticipation.

The Chairperson advised that in accordance with the Council’s Public Speaking Protocol one request to speak had been received from Mr Henry Bass, a local resident, who wished to address the Committee in relation to Agenda Item 8 – Member Scrutiny Item Request – Councillor S J N Morgan. He explained that this item of business related to a Planning Appeal relating to Land at Church Road, Wickham Bishops. At this point the Chairperson advised that he would be changing the agenda order, with Agenda Item 8 being considered following this item of business.

Mr Bass then addressed the Committee, providing background detail regarding the Planning application relating to the Planning Appeal. He highlighted his concerns and reasons why he felt the Committee should scrutinise the item.

To receive and note the above item and agree for it to be added to the Committee’s Scrutiny Workplan.

The Committee noted that Councillor S J N Morgan had submitted a scrutiny request on the above matter and that in accordance with the agreed procedure this would be referred to the Committee’s Working Group for an initial assessment and report back to the Committee. Councillor Morgan advised that Mr Bass had outlined the main points of his scrutiny request, which centred around how arrangements for providing a response to the Planning Inspectorate’s request for a view in the light of modification to the National Planning Policy Framework had resulted in a change to the Planning Department’s handling of this appeal. He advised that the matter would be considered by the Working Group the following week.

To receive a presentation from Anglian Water (to be circulated prior the meeting) covering the following topics:

·                Our role in the region

·                Investment in Maldon and Essex over the next five years

·                Water quality and environmental performance

·                Growth plans for the District – including planning liaison and asset capacity

The Chairperson introduced this item of business and referred to Grant Tuffs, Regional Engagement Manager from the Anglian Water (AW) public affairs team. Mr Tuffs advised that the role of him and his team was engage with local authorities, politicians and non-government organisations across the AW region. He was supported by a number of his team who then proceeded to introduce themselves:

·                Tiffany Howie – Network Manager for Colchester and Ipswich

·                Tessa Saunders – Spatial Planning Manager, covering the Essex region and liaises with Local Planning Authorities on local plans.

·                Carly Symes – Maldon Operations Manager

·                George Skinner - Environmental Process Scientist for the Essex county.

Mr Tuffs then gave a detailed presentation (attached at APPENDIX 1 to these Minutes) which provided information regarding AW, its purpose and challenges across the region, including:

·                The new ‘Just Bin It’ campaign;

·                How AW would be supporting Local Planning Authorities (LPAs) in sharing future growth aspirations in Local Plans;

·                Water recycling centres and capacity;

·                Growth within the Maldon District and responding to this;

·                How AW responds to planning applications;

·                Storm overflows, planning improvements to them and recent spill performance;

·                Proposed investment in 2025 – 2030.

Mr Tuffs advised that questions received from Members in advance of the meeting would be responded to in full and sent out following this meeting.

A lengthy discussion ensued and in response to questions raised, the following information was provided:

·                AW had worked with Maldon District Council (MDC) to provide information to assist with the Local Plan, this work included assessment of the call for sites, reviewing sites in terms of water recycling and network capacity. Latchingdon was the only ‘red’ area at the moment, and it was confirmed that other areas such as North Fambridge that fed into Latchingdon would also be affected.

·                Members were advised of the current regulations that AW followed in respect of treating water and how there was very minimal chemical treatment. Prior to anything being sent to the land it went through a complex process to remove any calorific value which was burnt as a natural gas and put back into the national grid.

·                Reference was made to the Water Recycling Centre at South Woodham Ferrers (SWF), the growth scheme proposed and copper concentrates and in response AW advised that if it was agreed that a growth scheme at SWF was to progress then any copper issues would be addressed. This could potentially impact on future growth that the District may consider and there would be greater certainty on this once the Local Plan had been approved, however AW were working with the Council in respect of this.

·                Surface water was a matter for the Local Planning Authority as Lead Local Flood Authority and it was its responsibility to seek suitable Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) and the best surface water systems in place from developers. Although AW was unable to comment on surface water it was encouraging all such connections to be sustainable.

·                AW gave examples of the work it  ...  view the full minutes text for item 119.

To receive a presentation from Essex County Council Highways (to be circulated prior the meeting) covering the following topics:

·                   Service overview

·                   How do we engage in the planning system?

·                   Setting speed limits

·                   Traffic Regulation Orders

·                   Maintenance and defect reporting

·                   The role of Local Highways Panels

·                   Managing streetworks

The Chairperson advised that this item of business had been postponed and he hoped it would be brought back to a future meeting of the Committee.

To consider the report of the Chief Executive, (copy enclosed).

The Committee considered the report of the Chief Executive to appoint to Outside Bodies and Working Groups of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee for the ensuing municipal year.

The Chairperson called for nominations to the Outside Bodies and Working Group, detailed in the report and following proposals the following was agreed.

RESOLVED

(i)             That the Committee appoints representatives to the following Outside Bodies, for the ensuing Municipal Year;

(ii)            That all members of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee be appointed to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee Working Group, for the ensuing Municipal Year.