Agenda and draft 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 21 March 2024

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Streetscene Scrutiny Panel held on 21 March 2024 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

The Chair announced that she would like to put on record her personal thanks to Mark Bowler, the previous Head of Streetscene. Mark worked for the Council for over 20 years, firstly in Leisure and Community and secondly, for the last 6 years, in Streetscene.  He was extremely knowledgeable and helpful and a true asset that will be sorely missed.   The Chair was delighted to welcome Mick Gore to the meeting and congratulated him on the appointment to his new role as Head of Streetscene, and advised Members that whilst it is always a delight to promote from within, this has now caused a cascade of internal changes which would be detailed in the forthcoming presentation later in the meeting.

The Chair also announced that there had been two recent press releases as follows:

·         In May, the Council received just under £1m to cover the capital costs of introducing new food waste collections.

·         In July, Green Flag awards were retained by 2 parks in the Borough – Holly Hill Woodland Park and the Sensory Garden in Fareham Town Centre.

Finally the Chair announced that Members will be invited to attend a briefing session on the 02 September which will update them on the Simpler Recycling arrangements.

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 comments or questions for clarification in respect of this item.

Members will receive a presentation by the Director of Neighbourhoods which will outline the role of the Panel and provide an overview of the Streetscene portfolio services.

The Panel received a presentation which outlined the role of the Panel and provided an overview of the Streetscene portfolio services. A copy of the slides is attached as Appendix A to these minutes.

Members discussed the potential impact that increasing budget pressures could have on service delivery as a result of land development across the Borough.

A trial arrangement was discussed that has been made with Stubbington Park which involves members of the community taking formal responsibility for the maintenance of some of the facilities at the site. If successful, it may be possible to roll this out further across the Borough.

In discussing the maintenance of public conveniences, members were advised that there is currently a refurbishment programme in place.  This will be reviewed to see if  it is properly targeted at those toilets in the greatest need. Members were also advised that refurbishment of public convenience facilities is a current corporate priority for the Council.

The ability for Members to be able to easily identify ownership of Council land when dealing with residents’ queries was discussed and it was highlighted that this information is available on the Council’s website at the following link: https://www.fareham.gov.uk/GISmaps.aspx.

During this item it was suggested and agreed that Hampshire County Council be invited to attend a future meeting of the Panel to update members on their role as part of Project Integra to prepare for Simpler Recycling.

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

The Panel will receive an update by the Director of Neighbourhoods in respect Government plans to introduce Simpler Recycling arrangements.

The Panel received a presentation by the Director of Neighbourhoods which provided information for members on the Government’s requirements to standardise waste collection services across the United Kingdom, the implication for Fareham and the issues around implementation.  A copy of the presentation slides is attached as Appendix B to these minutes.

In discussing this item, Members asked whether conversations were taking place with Hampshire County Council, as Waste Disposal Authority, to agree the way forward with implementing the simpler recycling regulations. The Panel was advised that  discussions were being held with all relevant parties within Project Integra and, in addition, Andy Wannell is leading a piece of work with the Hampshire Waste Collection Authority Chief Executives to consolidate the approach to future waste collection services in Hampshire.  

The Panel raised concern about the difficulties that residents in sheltered homes and flats will face in managing the new requirements and was reassured that the Waste Collection Team is geared up to provide services specific to different households. This will include obtaining the views of the Fareham Housing Team to take into account in the planning process.

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

The Panel will receive a presentation which will update members on Fleet Performance.

The Panel received a presentation by the Transport Manager which provided Members with an update on the performance of the Council’s fleet in 2023/24.

A copy of the presentation slides is attached as Appendix C to these minutes.

At the invitation of the Chair, Councillor P W Whittle addressed the Panel on this item.

Councillor Whittle commented that in order for scrutiny to be helpful and effective, information on items for discussion needs to be made available well in advance of the meeting in order that Members can be fully prepared.

Councillor Whittle referenced discussion that took place at the Audit and Governance Committee on the 18 June 2024 in respect of the Chief Internal Auditor report for the Final Quarter of 2023/24 which provided the results of completed audits across several Council services.  Councillor Whittle drew attention to the results of the Fleet Compliance Review that took place and raised concern about the number of Essential and Important audit recommendations made. Councillor Whittle suggested that a report from the Vehicle Transport Manager be brought forward to the Streetscene Panel to advise members what remedial steps are being taken in respect of these recommendations. The Director of Neighbourhoods advised that the Fleet Compliance Audit had taken place following a management request for assurance.  An Improvement Plan is currently being formulated with the intention to bring results to a further meeting of the Panel.

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 were given the opportunity to consider and review the Scrutiny Priorities for the Panel.

Councillor C A Bainbridge  commented that whilst the presentations given at the meeting had been excellent, it would have been useful to have had copies of the slides in advance of the meeting.

The following items were put forward for future scrutiny by the Panel:

·         An early review of the draft Waste and Recycling Policy.

·         An update on Hampshire County Council’s role as part of Project Integra to prepare for Simpler Recycling (as detailed at item 7).

·         A review of Fleet Management Compliance recommendations, as detailed at item 9.

·         A review of sustainable pesticide use following the introduction of the Sustainable Pesticide Use Policy last year.

RESOLVED that the Streetscene Scrutiny Panel considered the scrutiny priorities for the Panel.