Agenda item

Environmental Action Service – Locality Team Update

To consider a report of the Chief Officer, Environmental Action Service, which provides an update on how improvements would be made to a range of environmental services that are delivered locally.

 

The report describes how the services will continue to be delivered whilst the changes are made. This includes the continuation of the current Outer

North East Service Level Agreement (SLA) that covers street cleaning and

environmental enforcement/regulatory work undertaken by the Locality Team.

 

(Report attached)

Minutes:

The Chief Officer, Environmental Action Service, submitted report which provided an update on how improvements would be made to a range of environmental services that would be delivered locally.

 

The report describes how the services would continue to be delivered whilst the changes were made, including the continuation of the current Outer

North East Service Level Agreement (SLA) that covered street cleaning and

environmental enforcement/regulatory work undertaken by the Locality Team.

 

John Woolmer, Locality Manager, Environmental Action Service, presented the report and responded to Members comments and queries.

 

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

 

·  the need to sign off the existing SLA for the 2014/15 municipal year;

·  services to be transferred to and delivered through the Locality Team from 2015; including the household bulky item collection service, graffiti removal and public convenience cleaning;

·  the need for a 7 day service to be continued – examples given included the needs of Wetherby and Boston Spa main streets at a weekend;

·  a reduction in lone working practices to improve efficiency of service – for example to enable further reductions in the practice of using overtime to cover absence and allowing staff to be better equipped to do the job;

·  creating a dedicated zonal team – which would mean a team for the Outer North East area; including a dedicated Team Leader, pathsweeper, enforcement staff and operatives;

·  the importance of the relationship with Town and Parish Councils and groups such as “in-bloom”.

·  Gully crew working being transferred to one manager to oversee across the city – but staying within the Environmental Action Service and with an ENE crew/tanker.

 

Councillor Cohen spoke about the need for a litter picker to cover the Alwoodley area, this particular issue was highlighted 12 months ago and there was still no additional service in place.

 

In responding John Woolmer apologised for the lack of additional, dedicated service and shared his frustration that the restructuring was taking longer than hoped. Mr Woolmer explained that when the new structure comes into place in early 2015 this would include an improved level of service for Alwoodley, and that would be targeted, as discussed, with ward members and agreed through the Environmental Sub-Group. Mr Woolmer reported that he had assured Members that in the meantime any requests for additional local clean-up work would be responded to and that was still the case.

 

Referring to the Council’s Grounds Maintenance Contract, Councillor Robinson sought assurances that such contracts were fulfilled.

 

Mr Woolmer said the Grounds Maintenance contract was monitored by the Parks and Countryside Service and the contract monitoring officer regularly attended the committee’s environmental sub group. It was suggested it may be appropriate to include a summary of the contract within the Service Level Agreement to make transparent what was covered and how issues would be  resolved. Mr Woolmer undertook to look further into this suggestion and report back.

 

Referring to the condition and capacity of gullies, Councillor Robinson asked if an officer could be assigned to attend meetings of the Environmental Sub Group.

 

In responding Mr Woolmer said that actual gullies and related drainage issues (as opposed to the cleaning out of them) were the responsibility of the Highways Service, but the request for an officer to attend Sub Group meetings would be passed on.

 

Councillor Buckley referred to “hotspots” in particular the dumping of rubbish/litter in car parks possibly by taxi and private hire vehicles.

 

Mr Woolmer said a number of the car parks were covered by Leeds watch CCTV cameras, if the perpetrators could be identified then a Fixed Penalty Notice would be issued, but there was a need to examine any possible CCTV footage.

 

Mr Woolmer reported that he has met with Safer Leeds and agree a protocol for such incidents and that it was his intension to update Alwoodley ward members on any specific local actions that arise. Mr Woolmer also reported that signage warning motorists about littering and that CCTV was in operation would be installed where it was considered to be effective.

 

Councillor Castle referred to the operation of mechanical street sweepers in outlining villages. Councillor Castle suggested that if the Parish/Town Councils were notified in advance of operations in their area, local residents could be made aware with a view to finding alternative parking arrangements.

 

In responding Mr Woolmer said it was a good suggestion and something that would be considered.

 

Councillor Lamb referred to grants for Paths Partnership which were set up to provide support for path works, could such grants contribute towards litter picking.

 

Mr Woolmer offered to make the necessary inquiries.

 

RESOLVED –

 

(i)  To approve the continuation of the existing SLA for the 2014/15 Municipal year.

 

(ii)  To  note the proposals for new services to be added to existing ones to form a new Locality Team service; delivered through an Inner North East zonal team operational from early 2015 in time for the 2015/16 SLA;

 

Supporting documents: