Agenda item

To consider a report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development on possible areas within the Environmental Services portfolio for the Board to consider in line with its terms of reference.

The Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report which provided guidance on possible areas within the Environmental Services portfolio for the Scrutiny Board to consider in line with its terms of reference.

Appended to the report was a letter from Councillor Dobson, Executive Member (Environmental Services) outlining potential areas for scrutiny.

The Chair welcomed to the meeting, the following officers to present the report and respond to Members’ questions and comments:

-  Neil Evans, Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods

-  Helen Freeman, Head of Environmental Action.

Neil Evans, Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods, updated the Scrutiny Board on the following key areas:

• Improvements in public engagement and targeted communications, particularly in relation to recycling.
• Refuse services and lessons to be learnt.
• Residual waste project – outcome of preferred bidder expected in November 2011.
• Suggestion that the Scrutiny Board reviewed levels of regulation undertaken by Environmental Health in relation to health and safety at work, including food safety, with a view to exploring opportunities for delivering a better value for money service.

The Chair then invited Members’ questions and comments and in brief summary, the key areas of discussion were:

• Confirmation that pavement washers were no longer used by LCC as they were not considered effective in removing pavement staining.  Focus was on priority areas, particularly, removing loose litter and trade waste. 
• Exploring waste treatment technologies, with reference made to the gas plasma technology currently used in Belgium.
• Development of the bio-methane fuel station in Cross Green and potential for the sustainable treatment of food waste through anaerobic digestion.
• Good practice in Barking and Dagenham in relation to encouraging public responsibility for disposal of waste.
• That the report submitted to Scrutiny in September 2010 detailing the outcome of the new recycling services pilot in Rothwell be circulated to Board Members, along with the relevant extract of the ‘Value for Money Profiles 2010’ report in relation to Environmental Services.
• Exploring opportunities to operate different combinations of recycling services across Leeds.
• The impact of withdrawal of discretionary grants, particularly Neighbourhood Renewal Funding.
• Further work to be undertaken around education and raising awareness in localities through the work of Area Committees and associated Environmental Sub Groups.
• Update on Dog Control Orders – phase 2 consultation due to commence in August 2011.

Potential areas for scrutiny were summarised as follows:

• Food waste collections linked to the Scrutiny Board’s previous inquiry into recycling.
• Delegation of specified environmental services to Area Committees and review of locality working arrangements – it was suggested that this piece of work be undertaken in the New Year.
• Managing and minimising complaints within the refuse collection service – Councillor R Grahame to continue his role as co-optee on the Resources and Council Services Scrutiny Board to review the Contact Centre and Customer Access Programme.
• Ensuring effective communication / engagement strategy in relation to the residual waste PFI project – to be reviewed once preferred bidder was known.
• Grounds maintenance – to maintain a watching brief on the procurement of a new contract, particularly in ensuring that the implementation plan was effective.
• Regulatory services undertaken by Environmental Health.
• Dog control orders – working group to be established focussing on proposed options arising from the consultation.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the report and contributions made during the discussion be taken into account when the Board is finalising its work programme and deciding its priorities.

(b)  That the Chair, in conjunction with officers, be authorised to draw up inquiry terms of reference for subsequent approval by the Scrutiny Board.

(Councillor Harrand left the meeting at 10.30 am during the consideration of this item.)

(Councillors R Grahame, Groves and Jarosz declared a personal interest in this item in their capacity as Members of the GMB union.)