To receive apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Cllrs Brian Edwards (substitute Cllr Gethyn Davies), Bill Evans (substitute Cllr Val Hobman), Frankie Evans (substitute Judy Davis), Brian Jones, Don Pugh (substitute Cllr Frank Baynham) and Marion Winship.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 2 February 2012.

The minutes of the meeting held on 2 February 2012 were confirmed and signed as an accurate record.

The chairman to identify any items of urgent business.

The chairman identified no items of urgent business.

To receive any declarations of interest in any matter to be discussed at the meeting.  Members and officers are requested to identify the nature of the interest and indicate whether it is personal or prejudicial.

Cllr Philip Burford declared a personal interest in the Cabinet Forward Plan item relating to Hartpury Village Hall, Section 106 monies.

To consider questions from members of the public in accordance with the published protocol. To submit a question contact Democratic Services on 01594 812625 or email democratic.services@fdean.gov.uk. All questions must be submitted in writing at least two working days prior to the meeting.

The following question was received from Mrs Joyce Moss on behalf of Friends of the Boar.

Given the fact that the Forestry Commission has been shooting wild boar without any real idea of the numbers of boar in the Forest, thereby, we believe, devastating the herd and since the Forestry Commission have said that they are happy to allow the Council and Verderers to consider recommending a future ideal population size for the boar in the Forest, would Councillors consider asking the Forestry Commission to revise the number of boar allowed in the Forest considerably upwards from 90, for the good of our wild boar who are a unique tourist attraction and for the good of the Forest as a whole?

Answer

In January 2009 the Council’s Community Scrutiny Committee compiled a task group to consider issues surrounding wild boar within the Forest of Dean.  The task group met on 5 occasions and presented its final report on 18 June 2009 where it was agreed that:

The Forest of Dean Community Scrutiny and Review Committee support the Forestry Commission in taking responsibility as the main landowner within the Forest of Dean to effectively manage wild boar and boar-like animals where such animals might create potential risk and menace. The committee believe the number of boar should be controlled at a level slightly less than that in existence at this present time, but more importantly, at a level not to cause damage or harm to the forest and visitors to the forest. The committee recognise that a number of boar could be beneficial to biodiversity and tourism and suggest that all such animals are encouraged to remain in the wooded areas of the forest.

This continues to form the basis of Council policy.

The Scrutiny Committee continue to receive reports from the Forestry Commission every 6 months and to monitor the situation.

Mrs Moss asked the following supplementary question:

Because of the unique nature of the boar in the Forest of Dean including the ‘Beechenhurst six’.  Does the Scrutiny Committee feel that the subsequent increase in Wild Boar in the Forest of Dean would bring more tourism and much needed jobs to the area ?

The chairman confirmed that a written answer to the question would be supplied within 10 days.

To consider items for discussion at future meetings, including relevant issues on the Cabinet forward plan.

The committee noted the scrutiny plan and the cabinet forward plan and confirmed the following timetable for future meetings.

Bus links inquiry 6 month review – 19 July

Benefits Services Partnership – 19 July

Leisure Management Strategy – 3 May

Affordable Housing Investment Options – 19 July

Single Status Update – 3 May

Parking Management 6 month review  – 19 July

Private Sector Housing Renewals Loans Inquiry – 19 July

Lawnstone Complex Update – 3 May

Formation of a Joint Waste Committee in Gloucestershire – 3 May

Review of Gloucestershire County Council (Highways) Traffic Management Agreement –  3 May

Because of the increase in workload for the committee it was agreed that an extra meeting be scheduled before the 5 July Cabinet meeting and Democratic Services to organise the agendas for the meetings.

To establish any inquiry and confirm its scope and terms of reference.

The chairman confirmed that he had a scoping document from Cllr Bill Evans relating to procurement.  He said that he had spoken to officers and the Head of Paid Service had agreed to bring a short paper to the May Strategic Overview and Scrutiny Committee detailing the procurement arrangements and actions taken to comply with the rules.  He said that the committee could make a decision at the May meeting.

Kevin Stannard, Forestry Commission, to present the annual update on the strategy.

Cllr Burford welcomed Kevin Stannard, Forestry Commission and invited him to present an update on the boar strategy.

Kevin Stannard made the following points in his update: 

• The H M Verderers had now approved the Boar Management Strategy and at present the agreed target boar population for the Forest of Dean was 90 animals.

• He said that the current number was highly contentious.

• In March 2011 it was estimated by the Forestry Commission Wildlife Rangers that there were between 300 and 400 boar in the Forest.  A cull target of 150 boar had been set, and that target was achieved in September 2011. No boar had been culled since September 2011 (except as a result of road traffic accidents).

• The Forestry commission was now waiting to get a new estimate of the population size.  A winter census has been done by using night vision equipment and all the information gathered has been sent to Forest Research who produce a population estimate from the data.

• Indication that the minimum number of animals in the Forest from credible sightings is 250 .

• The current target of 90 seems to be an unrealistic figure to pitch for the Forest of Dean

• Friends of the Wild Boar felt that there should be a higher number than the 90 originally agreed.

• The Forestry Commission would be happy for a higher number but the Management Strategy document would have to be re-visited and the change approved by HM Verderers.

• A survey was undertaken by the University of Worcester in 2009. The proposal is to re run the survey in the coming year and see if public perception has changed.

• Voluntary suspension at the moment so no cull will take place until September 2012 when the research has been received and new population levels accepted.  

Cllr Burford asked if the Boar Management Strategy document could be put on the Council’s website.

Cllr Martin asked how the boar were counted.

Kevin Stannard said that the method used was quite scientific and the Forest was mapped with transects that covered all of the habitat and crop types.  A vehicle with two seats on it and night vision equipment were used by the Forest Rangers.  All the data was then logged and sent of for analysis.

Cllr Martin asked that if the estimated number of boar was 300/400 was there any impact on other animals.  

Kevin Stannard replied by saying that there did not appear to be any impact on other animals at the moment  and he didn’t think that any species would be unduly affected until the boar figure reached 1000 animals or more.   He said that the boar numbers did need to be controlled and information from Europe would help in providing more details.

The chairman asked if the Forestry Commission were consulting with the council over boar numbers.

Kevin Stannard confirmed that a view from the council on whether to change advice from 2009 would be helpful and some public consultation but the Verderers would also be  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

The committee to ask questions of the Head of Paid Service and the Strategic Director.

Cllr O’Neill asked the Directors if they had regular meetings with staff reps and did they discuss pay controls, change to offices and morale.

The Head of Paid Service replied and confirmed that there was regular staff interaction.  A staff briefing was held three times a year where staff were split into groups making it easier for everyone to feed back any concerns.  There were also regular meetings with trade unions.  A staff forum was held every six weeks with staff representatives from each group who feed in any comments or concerns that staff may have and answers are given back to the teams.  A staff survey had not been done this year but there had been some work on stress management.  She said that she had received feedback from staff that they had been receiving information in a fair way.

Cllr O’Neill said that he had seen a big van in Gloucester advertising the green waste service in the Forest of Dean and wondered what the cost of this was, asking if it was included in the waste budget.

The Strategic Director confirmed that this was the case and was to alert people to the changes in green waste collection.  He said that he would supply the committee with a break down of costs and it was included in the budget.

Cllr Martin asked the Directors what the three biggest challenges were for the future.

The Head of Paid Service said that the new service plans included major pieces of work over the next twelve months.  Her three biggest areas were the Go Shared Services and making sure that the savings were delivered in October this year. Leisure Management, which would be a considerable amount of work and the overview of budget savings and how they are delivered.

The Strategic Director said that his three challenges were the rollout of the new waste service, the planning and relocation of the office accommodation with the police moving in and the support for the Olympic torch relay when it comes into the district.  He also mentioned the on-going challenge of cutting costs in the council.

He explained that the Olympic Torch would enter Gloucestershire on day 6 of its journey starting in Cheltenham on 23 May then moving into Gloucester City on 24 May and through Maisemore into Hartpury and the villages of Corse and Staunton before heading to Ledbury.

Answering a question the Strategic Director confirmed that 11,500 licences had been sold for garden waste so far.

Cllr Smart asked about the Military Covenant?

The Strategic Director said that 1 Rifles had secured a grant and the council was the accountable body for this grant.  A free day out at Go Ape was being planned for young people but the details of how this would work and who would benefit are still being discussed.  He also mentioned the flag raising ceremony on Monday, 25 June 2012 and the presentation in the evening by Lt Col James de la Billiere, Commanding  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

To consider report LD.406 regarding the changes to scrutiny arrangements that were implemented in May 2012.

The Group Manager Legal and Democratic introduced report LD.406.  She said that Full Council had introduced the new scrutiny arrangements last year and they had now been in place for 9 months.  She said that the report included details of the panels which allowed members to get involved in more depth in different areas.  The system seemed to working well at the moment and it was felt that no major changes should be made until the work of the Governance Options Task Group had finished and made its recommendation to Full Council as this could affect the scrutiny arrangements for the council.

Cllr Thomson said that he felt the panels were working well and there always seemed to be other members who were interested in the topics being discussed.

Cllr Burford said that any non-executive member was welcome to come and contribute to the panel meetings.  He mentioned that some members had asked if the panels should be politically balanced.

Cllr Martin was said that she felt that it was unnecessary for the panels to be politically balanced and in her opinion the inclusive nature of Scrutiny should allow all members to be included. 

Cllr Molyneux said that it was not that important to be politically balanced but if a panel was very imbalanced there might be problems in getting the recommendations through at a Full Council meeting.  He did not think that the panels should be used for any political or opposition role but did not feel they should be too prescribed.

Cllr Martin said that the panel recommendations would always go back to the main Strategic Overview and Scrutiny Committee which was politically balanced so hopefully that would help.

Cllr Smart said that she was in favour of taking Scrutiny meetings out into the community but the costs should be monitored.

The chairman said that he was happy that dates were now being set for the panels and publicised and scrutiny was a way for members to get involved.

RESOLVED to note report LD.406 

Cllr Winship, panel chairman, to give an oral report from the panel's question and answer session with the Cabinet Members for Community, and Strategic Partnerships and Projects.

This item was deferred to the next meeting.

The panel is due to meet the Cabinet Member for the Environment for a question and answer session on Monday 23 April 2012 at 4.30pm.

The Environment Panel will meet on Monday, 23 April 2012 at 4.30pm for a question and answer session with the Cabinet Member for the Environment and Cllr Ian Whitburn will chair this meeting.

Cllr O'Neill, panel chairman, to give an oral report from the panel's six-month review of the office public opening hours inquiry.

Cllr O’Neill said that the Finance and Internal Affairs Panel had met to carry out the six monthly review of changes to office opening hours to the public.

He said that there had been no specific or formal complaints received from the public in relation to the changes.

He informed the committee that the panel had asked for some further work to be carried out and more in-depth information on call diversion to some service areas to help the panel with its inquiry. The panel will be meeting again in September and reporting back to this committee on 18 October 2012.

The panel will meet on Monday 11 June 2012 at 4.30pm to consider the 2011/12 fourth quarter performance report.

The Performance and Value for Money Panel will meet on Monday 11 June 2012 at 4.30pm to consider the 2011/12 fourth quarter performance report.

All at 6.00pm with a chairman’s briefing for members at 5.30pm

Thursday 3 May 2012 at the council offices, Coleford

Thursday 19 July 2012 at Lydney Town Hall

Thursday 13 September 2012 at the council offices, Coleford

All at 6.00pm with a chairman’s briefing for members at 5.30pm.

Thursday 3 May 2012 at the council offices, Coleford

Thursday 31 May 2012 at the council offices, Coleford

Thursday 19 July 2012 at Lydney Town Hall

Thursday 13 September 2012 at the council offices, Coleford