Agenda item

To consider a report by the Chief Officer, Environmental Action Service which seeks to confirm the continuation of the current Service Level Agreement (SLA) between the Committee and the Environmental Action Service, as overseen by the Environmental Sub Group

The report also provides an opportunity for the Committee to refer related issues to the sub group to look at; including any potential changes in local priorities and service development requests for the 2017/18 SLA and any current performance related issues.

(Report attached)

The Chief Officer Environmental Action Services submitted a report which sought to confirm the continuation of the current Service Level Agreement (SLA) between the Committee and the Environmental Action Service, as overseen by the Environmental Sub Group.

The report also provided an opportunity for the Committee to refer related issues to the Sub Group at look at: including any potential changes in local priorities and service development requests for the 2017/18 SLA and any current performance related issues.

John Woolmer, Head of Service, Environment Action Service presented the report and responded to Members comments and queries

Detailed discussion ensued on the contents of the report which included:

·  Street Cleaning

·  Litter removal

·  Removal of graffiti

·  Flytipping

·  Bulky item collection service

·  Garden waste

The Chair suggested on a number of occasions the issue of verge creep had been raised by Members but there appeared to be little or no progress.

In responding the Head of Service apologised for the lack of progress, he said there was an intention to overstretch resources in order to deliver, but this had not fully been achieved. An undertaking was provided that verge creep would be added to the work programme for the New Year.

Councillor Robinson raised the issue of street sweeping and other highway associated works. He suggested that the highways department had responsibility for highways maintenance works but it was not always clear where the area of responsibility lay. A conversation was required with the Highways Department and possibly other directorates to draw up a clear programme of works.

The Chair asked about de-leafing in Wetherby, had the programme been delivered.

In responding the Head of Service said the de-leaf programme had been delivered but had not been reported to Members. It was suggested that the mild weather had resulted in the leaves remaining on the trees for longer which had caused a number of issues around the scheduling of works, however, fewer complaints had been received than in previous years.

A discussion ensued on the use of brown bins, Members pointed out that some residents had more than one brown bin and that future proposals would restrict one brown bin collection per property.

The Head of Service suggested that any property which did not have a brown bin service would be able to use the bulky waste collection service as an alternative.

Members queried as to how many occasions per year the bulky waste collection service could be used to collect brown bin waste.

The Head of Service was unable to provide a figure and offered to report back to Members following investigation

Members queried if there had been any enforcement actions in respect of flytipping in the area.

In responding the Head of Service said that gathering suitable evidence was key in pursuing prosecutions but said the erection of signs could also make a difference.

Members asked if the Community Payback scheme could be used to assist with flytipping and litter picking.

In responding the Head of Service said that the Community Payback scheme could be used but providing adequate supervision was a difficulty

Referring to the National Keep Britain Tidy Campaign, the Head of Service said the campaign was scheduled to begin in early March 2017, posters highlighting the campaign would be on display shortly.

RESOLVED –

(i)  To approve the continuation of the existing Service Level Agreement

(ii)  To advise the Environmental Sub Group of any potential changes / priorities that should be included in the SLA for 2017/18