Agenda and minutes

An apology for absence was received from Councillor J V Bryant.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Panel held on 24 October 2013.

It was AGREED that the minutes of the Streetscene Policy Development and Review panel held on 24 October 2013 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 and the Preliminary Work Programme for 2014/15.

The Panel considered a report by the Director of Streetscene which invited members to review the outcome of the work programme for 2013/14 and draft the work programme for 2014/15.

The Director of Streetscene addressed the Panel to explain that a further two reports, Roundabout Sponsorship and Performance of Corporate Cleaning Contract, will be added to the 2014/15 work programme. Members were invited to make suggestions towards the 2014/15 work programme.

The Director of Streetscene also explained to the Panel that there has been a change to the municipal year as a result of the local elections being later in May to run in conjunction with the European elections, and suggested the meeting scheduled for May be cancelled as the Panel members for 2014/15 will not be confirmed until after that date.  

It was AGREED that:-

(a)  the meeting scheduled for 15 May 2014 be cancelled; and

(b)   the content of the report be noted.

To consider a report by the Director of Streetscene on the Six Monthly Recycling Performance.

The Panel considered a report by the Director of Streetscene on a six monthly review of recycling performance.

The report gave an overview of the recycling services that are available to residents, including kerbside recycling and garden waste collection, glass recycling banks and clothing and textile recycling banks.

Several members enquired as to whether the quantity of textiles being placed into the refuse bins has decreased since the introduction of the new textile recycling banks. The Panel was informed that there are no results at present that can be provided but information relating to this is being collected and the results will be reported to the Panel at a later date.

At the invitation of the Chairman, Councillor Keeble Executive Member for Streetscene addressed the Panel on this item.

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

To consider a report by the Director of Streetscene on the Bus Shelter Maintenance Contract.

The Panel considered a report by the Director of Streetscene on the Bus Shelter Maintenance Contract.

At the invitation of the Chairman, Councillor P J Davies, Chairman of Housing Tenancy Board joined the meeting and addressed the Panel on this item.

Members discussed this item at length and agreed that the current contract is not working effectively and that there is a need for the Council to look at a strategy to be put in place which clearly sets out the Council’s responsibilities and management of Bus Shelters.

Councillor Davies put forward a suggestion that the Council paint the older galvanised shelters to help make the local area look more attractive. In order to assist with the costing, he suggested the painting could be undertaken by voluntary groups. The Director of Streetscene informed that Panel that the feasibility of this would be looked into.

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

To consider a report by the Director of Streetscene on the Impact of Weekly Refuse Collection.

The Panel considered a report by the Director of Streetscene on the impact of weekly refuse collection. The report gave details of the impact to the waste collection service if the Council reverted back to weekly collections, this included; an increase on the financial expenditure of the service, an increase on the Council’s carbon footprint, a decrease in recycling rate which would result in a loss of income and severe disruption to householder’s collection days. In addition to this there has been little customer demand for the service to change.

At the invitation of the Chairman, Councillor Keeble Executive Member for Streetscene, addressed the Panel on this item.

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