Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies of absence.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Panel held on 4 September 2014.

It was AGREED that the minutes of the meeting of the Streetscene Policy Development and Review Panel held on 4 September 2014 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 Environmental Services which reviews the Panel’s Work Programme 2014/15.

The Panel considered a report by the Director of Environmental Services which reviewed the Panel’s work programme for 2014/15.

The Director of Environmental Services addressed the Panel on this item and suggested that a further report be added to the work programme for January meeting. The report will be on The Impact of Weekly Refuse Collection in the Summer Months.

It was AGREED that, subject to the inclusion of the report on The Impact of Weekly Refuse Collection in the Summer Months, the proposed Work Programme for 2014/15, as set out in Appendix A to the report, be approved.

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

At the agreement of the Chairman this item was taken early.

The Panel considered a report by the Director of Environmental Services on the Global Positioning System for the Vehicle Fleet.

The Panel were given a demonstration by the Transport Manager and the Refuse/Recycling Manager on how the GPS system works. They were shown how they can locate any of their vehicles during the day, and can track the route the vehicle has taken for the day.

It was explained to members that the system has provided 4 key benefits:

Improved Customer Service – By being able to locate vehicles and crews the system enables officers to respond to customer requests quickly thereby improving the service provided to the customer.

Insurance – It has already been used in several insurance claims to provide evidence that vehicles were not a particular location when an accident occurred

Breakdowns - It has also been extremely useful when dealing with vehicle breakdowns as they can now locate exactly where the vehicle is and can get to it quicker.

Health and Safety Supervision - It is used to monitor the crews for Health and Safety and can assist the Supervisors in the planning of work.

It was AGREED that;-

(a)  the Transport Manager and Refuse/Recycling Manager be thanked for their presentation; and

(b)   the Panel notes the content of the report.

To consider a report by the Director of Environmental Services on an Annual Update on Recycling Performance.

The Panel considered a report by the Director of Environmental Services on an annual report on Recycling Performance.

The report was presented by the Recycling Co-Ordinator, who took questions from members. Members enquired as to the impact that supermarket packaging is having on recycling. The Recycling Co-Ordinator confirmed that it is having an effect as packaging is becoming lighter so the tonnage collected is less, and some of the lighter packaging now being used is not recyclable so it has to be disposed of in the refuse bins.

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

To consider a report by the Director of Environmental Services on Waste Regulations (England and Wales) 2011.

The Panel considered a report by the Director of Environmental Services on Waste Regulations (England and Wales) 2011.

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

The Director of Environmental Services addressed the Panel to inform them that from the 1 January 2015 a new regulation comes into effect whereby local authorities have to change the way they collect recyclables, to separate recycling collections, to enable a higher quality of recyclate being collected. The report outlined the Council’s current recycling collection service; the quality of the recyclate collected and looked at the technical and economical requirements that would be involved in changing the recycling collection service.

The new regulation states that separate recycling collection is required if it is:

(a)  necessary, in effect to provide high quality recyclates; and

(b)  is technically, environmentally and economically practicable.

The Panel AGREED that:-

1.    separate collections of recyclable materials should not be introduced in the Borough at this time because:-

(a)  it is not necessary to provide high quality recyclates; and

(b)  would not be technically, environmentally and economically practicable (TEEP).

2.    recommends to the Executive that:-

(a)  no changes are required to the collection of recyclable materials currently co-mingled in blue top recycling bins; and

(b)  any collection policy changes proposed in future are assessed against the new regulations prior to any decisions being made.