Agenda item

To consider the report of the Chief Officer, Environmental Action Service seeking to confirm the continuation of the current Service Level Agreement (SLA) between the Inner East Community Committee and the Environmental Action Service, as overseen on its behalf by the Environmental Sub Group. The report provides the Committee with an opportunity to discuss and refer related issues to the sub group to look at on its behalf which may include any potential changes in local priorities, service development requests for the 2017/18 SLA and any current performance related issues.

Councillor G Hyde, Community Committee Champion for the Environment introduced a report on the 2016/17 Service Level Agreement (SLA) between the Inner East CC and the Environmental Action Service. The report sought to confirm the continuation of the current SLA, which was overseen by the Environmental advisory Sub Group on behalf of the Committee.

John Woolmer, Head of Environmental Action Service (ENE and WNW Localities), presented the report and highlighted the opportunity for Members to refer issues to the sub group to look at on its’ behalf, which could include any potential changes in local priorities, service development requests for the 2017/18 SLA and any current performance related issues. Additionally, the Committee received assurance that the proposals to achieve the significant budget savings required for 2017/18 do not involve a reduction in current front-line staffing numbers.

Councillor Khan reported that Rob Double, Team Manager for the Burmantofts & Richmond Hill ward had recently passed away and he expressed condolences on behalf of Members to Rob’s family and Team, acknowledging the work undertaken by Rob and the Team in the B&RH ward.

The following matters were considered during discussions:

-  Whilst acknowledging that the Team provided a good reactive service to issues reported to them in B&RH, a comment was made about effectiveness of regular programmed works. The CC received assurance that reporting back to Members would improve.

-  Access to Green Mill pedestrian precinct and the report that the EAT litter picking team could not access the site with their vehicle, whereas other LCC vehicles could. The cause of this would be investigated.

-  The enforcement measures used to deal with obstructions to highways and pavements both in private and public ownership.

-  Household bulky item collection service and the waiting time of up two months for collections; particularly in Gipton & Harehills. It was noted 6-8 weeks’ notice was the usual waiting time across the city. It was also noted that this discretionary service is currently still offered free of charge in Leeds, which is highly unusual compared to the rest of the UK. Two weeks’ notice for collections in the area had been considered; however this was not currently possible due to resources and the LCC corporate booking system. Response times would be considered as part of the development of the 2017/18 SLA.

-  Evidence was available showing customer dissatisfaction with this element of the service had decreased dramatically (around 80%) since it transferred to delivery through the zonal teams.

-  The current Keep Harehills Tidy campaign, measures to raise awareness of environmental responsibility and partnership working undertaken to address areas of concern – such as joint working in Harehills with the Police and Refuse Service to reduce blocked access to refuse vehicles in back streets.

-  Consideration of the effectiveness of Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPO) and whether these would be appropriate for the locality in relation to environmental offences/behaviour would be progressed with the Locality Team, in liaison with ASB colleagues.

In addition, the Chair accepted comments from local residents who discussed the following:

-  Responsibility for the recovery of sharps and needles from Beckett Street cemetery

-  The effectiveness of the LCC Contact Centre

-  Service co-ordination and the impact of non-collection of domestic waste on the locality

-  Measures available to deal with environmental issues caused by private landlords

-  Additional litter bin provision in the Mill Street area to accommodate extra litter/rubbish from people leaving the city centre and cutting though the area

During the discussions on tackling environmental issues and crime; John Woolmer and Councillor Hyde reiterated the importance of evidence collection and reporting. Residents were urged to report evidence direct to the team at eneaction@leeds.gov.uk or other concerns/matters directly to local ward Councillors for them to pursue through the Environmental advisory sub group and with the Team;

RESOLVED -

a)  To approve the continuation of the existing Service Level Agreement as presented in Appendix 1 of the submitted report

b)  Having considered the current priorities, the Committee decided there were no changes to the current priorities for the service to consider for this 2016/17 year;

c)  Having considered the proposed SLA for 2017/18 the Committee did not identify any changes it would like to see in the SLA for 2017/18 at the meeting;

d)  To note that consideration of any changes identified by the Committee throughout the forthcoming year will be referred to the Environmental advisory Sub Group to give the Service time to consider and respond through the Sub-Group.