Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for the absence.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Panel held on 5 September 2013.

It was AGREED that the minutes of the meeting of the Streetscene Policy Development and Review Panel held on 5 September 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 or disclosures of advice or directions made at this meeting.

To receive any deputations of which notice has been lodged.

There were no deputations made at this meeting.

To consider a report by the Director of Streetscene on the Panel’s Work Programme for 2013/14.

The Panel considered a report by the Director of Streetscene which reviewed the Panel’s Work Programme.

The Director of Streetscene informed the Panel that on the agenda for the next meeting in January 2014, is a report on the preliminary work programme for 2014/15, and asked members to bring ideas for the work programme to that meeting.

Members were asked to note the revisions to the work programme as set out in item 2 of the report.

It was AGREED that the content of the report be noted.

To consider a report by the Director of Streetscene on the Grounds Maintenance Working Arrangements.

The Panel considered a report by the Director of Streetscene on the changes to working arrangements with the grounds maintenance service, in order to provide a more consistent standard of work across the service.

It was explained to members that the new working arrangements are having a positive effect on all grounds maintenance services and that the new team structure is allowing for a more proactive approach to the work being undertaken by each team and allows employees to take ownership over the work they do.

Compliments were given to the grounds maintenance team for the high standards maintained across the Borough.

It was AGREED that the content of the report be noted.

To consider a report by the Director of Streetscene on the Global Positioning System for Vehicle Fleet.

The Panel considered a report by the Director of Streetscene which provided an update on the progress of the procurement of a GPS system for the Council’s vehicle fleet.

At the invitation of the Chairman Councillor Keeble addressed the Panel on this item.

It was AGREED that the content of the report be noted.

To allow Members of the Panel to take part in discussions or activities on a variety of Streetscene issues.

At the invitation of the Chairman, Councillor Ford addressed the Panel to give an update on his recent visit to the Materials Recovery Facility.

The Director of Streetscene addressed the Panel regarding the recent media coverage surrounding legislation that comes into effect on the 1January 2015, which concerns the segregation of all recycling. The Director of Streetscene explained that the biggest problem identified was concerning glass that is collected with other recycling, co-mingled recyclate. Fareham already collects glass separately to other recycling and therefore the quality of material for reprocessing is much higher.

It was explained to the Panel that it is likely that Fareham will meet two excluding criteria which will prevent the need to introduce separate recycling collections:

1)    The high quality of the end product that the Project Integra Material Recovery Facilities are currently producing; and

2)    It would not be environmentally and economically practical, due to the severe increase in capital costs, additional running costs and employee costs.

At the invitation of the Chairman Councillor Keeble addressed the Panel on this item.

The Director of Streetscene also addressed the Panel regarding the recent change of management of the Building Services department which now falls under the responsibility of the Director of Streetscene. As Building Services is a support service mainly involved with Council Housing it will not become part of the Streetscene Policy Development and Review Panel.