Agenda item

To consider a report by the East North East Area Leader which provides Members with the minutes of the last meeting of the Outer North East Environment Sub-Group which took place on 14^th November 2013.

(Report/Minutes attached)

The East North East Area Leader submitted a report explaining the role of the Environmental Sub Group. The Minutes of the Outer North East Area Committee Environmental Sub Group held on 14^th November 2013 were submitted for information/ comment.

Circulated at the meeting, Members received a brief summary of the environmental services that it is planned would be delegated to the Area Committee as part of the locality service resign for April 2014.

John Woolmer, East North East Locality Manager, Environment and Neighbourhoods Directorate presented the report and responded to Members’ comments and queries. Neil Evans, Director of Environmental and Neighbourhoods was also in attendance.

Mr Woolmer highlighted the new environmental services it is proposed the Area Committee will resume responsibility for, which include:

·  Clearance of void gardens

·  Cutting back, cleaning of ginnels and other publicly accessible paths/paved areas/open spaces in estates

·  Removal of fly tips from open land

·  Cleaning of communal play areas

·  Cleaning of garden sites

·  Ensuring tenant satisfaction

·  Bush and ginnel clearance

·  Needle removal

·  Public convenience cleaning

·  Graffiti removal (possible issues around specialist removal needs)

·  Rapid response/ bin yards

·  Household bulky item collection

Mr Woolmer suggested that a number of smaller, zonal/-area teams could be created in each Locality Team. In terms of the Outer North East area, this may provide a dedicated team of staff that would work in the Outer North East area for the Area Committee in delivering the Service Level Agreement, the deployment of the resource being agreed through the Environmental Sub Group.

Commenting in general about the Environmental Service, Councillor Cohen expressed concern about the level of service provided in the Alwoodley area. Councillor Cohen said that the Area Committee had agreed funding for a peripatetic cleaner but despite several reminders there was no sign of the of the post being recruited to. He also suggested that there were a number of other issues where Ward Members required clarification on, but it had taken much longer than he had expected to receive updates about. Councillor Cohen said the situation was disappointing and that Members expect works to be carried out when funds have been made available but more importantly expect to be kept informed in a timely fashion.

In responding Mr Woolmer apologised to the Alwoodley Ward Members for the unusual delays in recent communications and for missing a recent Ward Member meeting. In offering an explanation Mr Woolmer said there had been some issues which had taken priority in the period since summer and that also meant it was difficult to progress the additional post as he had hoped. He accepted there could have been better communication with Elected Members and took full responsibility for that and committed to put that right

Mr Woolmer asked Members to highlight any concerns about service delivery in their wards. The only issue raised by Wetherby Town Council regarding white bags in the town centre would be affected by the delay in the additional post. Mr Woolmer replied that a trial had already started which involved alternative, off street, disposal points for the white bags in partnership with the local Town Hall, Fire and Police stations. An assessment of the trial would be discussed with Ward Members.

In offering comment the Chair said he was aware Mr Woolmer had been involved in other work.

Commenting on the restructuring of the Department, Councillor J Procter asked if it was likely that all ex-ALMO staff would transfer over and whether that included management resources.

In responding Mr Evans said there would be a formal restructure process to be agreed with the unions that would follow the usual ring fencing processes and provide opportunities for ex-ALMO environmental staff, but they would not be automatically transferred over. When looking across the two environmental services being brought together, it was envisaged that overall management numbers would be significantly reduced as part of the restructuring exercise but that the front line resource would be at least the same overall.

Commenting on the absence of the report monitoring of the Service Level Agreement which was due to be considered at today’s meeting, Councillor Procter asked how the service could be held to account if the information was not available.

In responding Mr Evans said he was unaware of the monitoring timescales but agreed the report would be available for the next meeting.

Mr Woolmer commented that the report would be provided to the next Environmental Sub Group ahead of the next Area Committee meeting.

In passing comment the Area Leader said that overall there had been improvements in the service since it transferred to a new Locality Team but accepted the issues referred to by Councillor Cohen needed to be addressed and the Service got back on track.

RESOLVED –

(i)  To note the contents of the Minutes of the Outer North East Area Committee Environmental Sub Group held on 14^th November 2013

(ii)  That where appropriate, to provide support in resolving any issues raised

(iii)  That the issues around the service of a peripatetic cleaner covering the Outer North East Area be investigated and communicated to Members as a matter of urgency.

(iv)  That the report monitoring the Service Level Agreement for Environmental Services be brought to the next meeting of the Area Committee, via the Environmental Sub Group