Agenda item

To consider the report of the Chief Officer, Environmental Action Service, seeking the views of the Community Committee on the focus for the East North East Locality Team for the 2016/17 municipal year within the Inner East area

Councillor G Hyde, Inner East CC Environment Champion, introduced a report on proposals to refresh the Environmental Service Delegation for 2016/17. Councillor Hyde noted the success of the Environmental Action Service Locality Team during 2015/16 and highlighted the new “where you live” environmental education scheme being piloted in Harehills.

John Woolmer, ENE Locality Manager, presented the report and provided an overview of the success of the Team and the new functions acquired during 2015/16. Members noted the request for their views on the issues they would like the Locality Team to focus on during 2016/17 in order to inform the update of the existing Service Agreement. The revised Agreement would then be considered by the Environmental advisory Sub Group and presented to the first committee meeting of the municipal year.

(Councillor Selby joined the meeting at this point)

During discussions, the CC considered the following:

·  The success of the zonal operational working model which includes a team exclusively covering the three Inner North East wards

·  The success of the household bulky waste collection service and the reduction in the number of complaints about that service

·  The success of partnership working, with WYP to address environmental crime, with Housing Management Leeds to address council housing stock issues and with Parks & Countryside

·  The work to increase recycling rates; with an incentive scheme being drawn up

·  Recognition of the difficulties of bulky waste collection from multi storey flats, the concerns over fire risks caused by discarded items in stairwells and the need to educate residents of their responsibilities in terms of waste. The CC noted a pilot scheme for bulky waste collection by Housing Management was being undertaken in the Lincoln Green area.

Finally, the report included a request to consider two new areas of work for inclusion within the 2016/17 Environmental Service Agreement in respect of:

·  How the Council will work to support and ensure its’ tenants contribute to the effective management of household waste, and

·  How the EAS Team can work with the CC to identify practical opportunities to work with the community/residents to improve recycling and re-use rates to help reduce landfill costs, including how that can be meaningfully measured.

RECOMMENDATION -

a)  To note the content of the report, including the new functions introduced to the local service for 2015/16 and the introduction of a zonal approach/team;

b)  That the comments made during discussions be noted in respect of how Members and other stakeholders best contribute towards the development of the draft Service Agreement for 2016/17, with the involvement of the advisory Environmental sub group – so that it is clear what the local focus is to be on in each ward and across the area;

c)  To note and support the suggestions made in paragraph 12 of the submitted report regarding the inclusion of relevant aspects of housing management and waste recycling into the Service Agreement.