Agenda item

To note a report by the Chief Environmental Services Officer updating Members on various service related issues within the Area Committee boundary.

(Executive Function)  (10 Mins)

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the contents of the report and the overview of the services provided by Environmental Services for the West Outer area, be noted.

(b)  That the Chief Environmental Services Officer, together with his   Enforcement Officers (in their new uniforms) for the West Inner Area be   invited to the Armley and Bramley & Stanningley Community Forums.

(c )  That the Chief Environmental Services Officer be instructed to   liaise with   the Headteacher regarding the constant problems with litter being dropped in and around the area by pupils attending Intake High School.  

(d)  That Enforcement Officers be instructed to patrol the area in and around   Intake High School and the shops on Summerfield Drive, who should be instructed to clear up the areas outside their properties and surrounding   areas.   

Consideration was given to a report submitted by the Chief Environmental Services Officer who gave a brief update on various service related issues within the Area Committee’s boundary and the recent implementation of the newly established Environmental Action Teams (EAT) to provide a greater focus on area based working, including enforcement.

Andrew Mason, Chief Environmental Services Officer introduced himself and gave a brief overview of Environmental Services responsibilities for a range of streetscene services including, refuse collection and recycling, street cleansing, bulky waste collection, fly tipping removal. Environmental enforcement, household waste sorting sites and parking related enforcement.  As well as other main stream services for environmental health such as food inspections, work place conditions, private sector housing conditions, pest control and dog wardens.

Ruth Lees, West/North West Environmental Action Team Manager gave a brief outline of the newly established Environmental Action Team for the West/North West area and gave an update on what her Team intend to deal with in the West Inner area at the moment.  It was report that the bin yards on the Cedars are getting really untidy again and unless this is cleared up by the residents, EAT will be serving quite a few fixed penalty notices.  Armley Town Street also has a problem with cigarette butts outside shops, banks and public houses and the EAT team intend to work with these businesses before serving enforcement notices on them to clean the area outside their premises.

Andrew Mason, Chief Environmental Services Officer and Ruth Lees, West/North West Environmental Action Team Manager responded to Members questions and comments relating to fixed penalty notices and educating children in schools regarding litter.

In brief, the main areas of discussion were:-

·  proposals to change the uniform worn by Enforcement Officers.

·  concern was expressed as to whether EAT are able to deal with the

2,500 requests per week for the whole of West North West.

·  the constant problems with litter being dropped in and around the residential area at Intake High School.

·  fixed penalty notices for dropping litter and the increasing problem in and around the area by pupils attending Intake High School.

·  that the age limit for serving fixed penalty notices is 14.  Members suggested that the children under the age of 14 committing offences of dropping litter in the area should be given some kind of community service and be made to clean the area up themselves.  This time should be served within the children’s quality time during the weekend period.

The Chair thanked officers for their attendance.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the contents of the report and the overview of the services provided by Environmental Services for the West Outer area, be noted.

(b)  That the Chief Environmental Services Officer, together with his   Enforcement Officers (in their new uniforms) for the West Inner Area be   invited to the Armley and Bramley & Stanningley Community Forums.

(c )  That the Chief Environmental Services Officer be instructed to   liaise with   the Headteacher of Intake High School regarding the constant problems   with litter being dropped in and around the area by pupils attending   Intake High School. 

(d)  That Enforcement Officers be requested to patrol the area in and around   Intake High School and the shops on Summerfield Drive, who should be instructed to clear up the areas outside their properties and surrounding   areas. 

(Note:  Councillor N Taggart joined the meeting at approximately 11.15 a.m. during consideration of the above item).