Agenda

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 16 November 2022                 and to receive information arising from them.

Members of the public who wish to speak at this meeting can attend the meeting in person or ‘virtually’ through an online connection. To facilitate ‘hybrid’ meetings we are asking that requests to speak are submitted by no later than 9am four working days before the meeting i.e., 9am on Thursday 19 January 2023. Requests to speak should be sent to committeesdemocraticservices@oxfordshire.gov.uk If you are speaking ‘virtually’, you may submit a written statement of your presentation to ensure that if the technology fails, then your views can still be taken into account. A written copy of your statement can be provided no later than 9am 2 working days before the meeting. Written submissions should be no longer than 1 A4 sheet.

Report of the Corporate Director of Environment and Place

Report by Corporate Director of Environment and Place

Water resources regional plans across England have reached a draft stage.  The government set out the requirement for such regional plans in a recent government guideline, following the National Framework 2020for water resources called ‘Meeting our Future Needs’. 

Draft individual water company plans have also been produced.  These Water Resource Management Plans for 2024 (WRMP24) will replace those that exist from 2019 (WRMP19).  

It is recommended that the County Council responds to some of the current water resources regional and company draft plan consultations.

The Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee is RECOMMENDED to feedback any comments on the draft WRSE response, appended, for consideration by the Corporate Director for Environment and Place in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Climate Change Delivery and Environment by Friday 3^rd February (a draft response is included in the Annex)

Report of the Corporate Director of Environment and Place

The Environment Act 2021 became law on the 9^thof November 2021. The Act introduces legislation that will improve air and water quality, tackle waste, increase recycling, halt the decline of species, and improve our natural environment.   The Act bolsters the environmental role of local leaders by providing additional powers and flexibilities to deliver action, so that they are empowered to play a fundamental role in delivering the environmental improvement needed in local areas.

The Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee is RECOMMENDED to

Feedback any comments on Environment Act 2021 or the implications for the Oxfordshire Climate and Natural Environment Policy Statement to the Corporate Director, Environment and Place.

The Committee is RECOMMENDED to note the action and recommendation tracker which is being used to monitor the implementation of formally agreed actions and recommendations.

Attached is a proposed work programme for Committee’s forthcoming meetings. The Committee is recommended to AGREE its work programme, having heard any changes from previous iterations, and taking into consideration the Council’s Forward Plan and any issues arising from the Business Management and Monitoring Report.