Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for absence.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Streetscene Scrutiny Panel held on 15 July 2021.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Streetscene Scrutiny Panel meeting held on 15 July 2021 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

There were no Chairman’s announcements.

To receive any declarations of interest from members in accordance with Standing Orders and the Council’s Code of Conduct and disclosures of advice or directions received from Group Leaders or Political Groups, in accordance with the Council’s Constitution.

There were no declarations of interest made at this meeting.

To receive any deputations of which notice has been received.

There were no deputations made at this meeting.

To consider any item of business dealt with by the Executive since the last meeting of the Panel, that falls under the remit of the Streetscene Portfolio. This will include any decisions taken by individual members during the same time period.

There were no questions or comments for clarification in respect of this item.

There were no questions or comments for clarification in respect of this item.

To consider a report which outlines the feasibility of low emission fuels for use by the Council’s Refuse Collection Vehicle fleet and proposes a 12 month trial of Hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) as an alternative fuel source.

At the invitation of the Chairman, Councillor I J Bastable, Executive Member for Streetscene and Councillor J S Forrest addressed the Panel on this item.

The Panel considered a report by the Head of Streetscene which outlined the results of a feasibility study into potential fuels for use in the Council’s Refuse Collection Vehicles and proposed a 12-month trial of Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) as an alternative fuel source for the diesel powered vehicle fleet.

Members enquired whether the use of HVO fuel would cause any long-term impact on the engines of the Refuse Collection Vehicles and were advised that the trials that have been carried out by other users have not shown any evidence of this. Furthermore, discussions with the vehicle manufacturers have confirmed that provided the engine is a minimum standard of Euro 4, there will be no effect on the engines in switching to HVO fuel.

Members commented that given the potential benefits that the scheme will bring, it was surprising that it was not being trialled on the entire Fleet. The Head of Streetscene explained that the transition from garden waste sack collections to wheeled bin collections will provide an ideal opportunity to implement the changes to the garden waste collection vehicles as an initial trial.

Members enquired whether the size of the tank being provided to store the HVO fuel would still be large enough if the trial was extended to the rest of the Fleet. Concern was also raised that if the trial were to be extended to the entire Fleet, the underground tanks that are currently used to store diesel at the Depot would need to be cleaned out and used to store the HVO fuel. As the HVO fuel tank would then be surplus to requirement, it could be considered to have been a waste of money.  The Head of Streetscene advised that the size of the tank will be sufficient to store the HVO fuel needed and that the tank is being secured on a rental basis with the cost included in the price per litre for the fuel.  In the event that the tank is no longer needed, it can be returned. The Panel commented that it will be important to factor into the scheme any future long-term plans for the depot in order to avoid a large, unnecessary capital expenditure.

The Panel enquired about the source and composition of HVO fuel and the carbon footprint of supplying and transporting it.  Members were advised that supply of the fuel comes with certification to confirm that it is derived from sustainable sources.  Ongoing reviews will be carried out into the content and sustainability of the oil and the location of the refineries so that global sustainability can be assessed.   It was noted that transportation of the HVO fuel would inevitably have an impact on the level of reduction in carbon emissions achieved by the scheme, but that this would be off set against current emissions resulting from the transportation of diesel fuel. 

Members commented that at the present time, the proposed HVO trial scheme is a better way forward for larger vehicles in the Fleet to achieve reductions in carbon emissions rather than using electricity which is better suited to smaller vehicles.

RESOLVED that the Streetscene Scrutiny Panel:

(a)   notes the content of the Executive report attached as Appendix 1; and

(b)  agrees that its comments be passed to the Executive for consideration at its meeting on 07 December 2021.

To receive a presentation by the Head of Streetscene which provides information to Members in respect of the Council’s arrangements for the inspection and monitoring of Council owned infrastructure.

The Panel received a presentation by the Public Spaces Operations Manager which provided Members with an overview of the Council owned open space assets inspected and monitored by the Public Spaces Team, the developing asset management database system used to manage these assets and the progress made to date in developing the inspection and monitoring schedule.  A copy of the presentation is attached to these minutes as Appendix A.

The Public Spaces Operations Manager was thanked for providing a very useful and informative presentation.

RESOLVED that the Streetscene Scrutiny Panel notes the content of the presentation.

To provide an opportunity for Members to consider the scrutiny priorities for the Streetscene Panel.

Members considered and discussed the scrutiny priorities for the Streetscene Panel.

During the discussion of the priorities, the following items were requested:

(i)     an update report on the Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil Pilot scheme to be brought to the Panel at the Autumn meeting next year.

(ii)    a review at the end of Summer 2022 to update members on the roll out of the new Garden Waste Strategy.

(iii)   an update on any changes to be made by Hampshire County Council and Project Integra at the Household Waste and Recycling Centres as a result of the upcoming Environment Bill.

RESOLVED that, subject to the items outlined at (i) to (iii) above, the scrutiny priorities for the Panel be agreed.