Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies of absence.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Streetscene Policy Development and Review Panel held on 4 June 2015.

It was AGREED that the minutes of the Streetscene Policy Development and Review Panel held on 4 June 2015 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

The Chairman made the following announcements:

He stated that he was pleased to see the invitation to all members to attend this meeting for the Member’s Open Forum included in the July copy of the member’s newsletter.  He welcomed Councillor’s Whittle, JP and Mrs Trott to the meeting who were attending to take part in the open forum.

He informed members that the annual visit to the depot would not be possible this year as it is extremely time consuming for Officers to arrange. However should any member wish to have a tour of the depot they should contact Dawn Kenderdine who will arrange individual visits.

Lastly he informed the Panel that the judges for South East in Bloom were in the Borough today and whilst the results are not yet known, Officers are optimistic that the results will be very positive again this year.

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 lodged.

There were no deputations made at this meeting.

To consider a report by the Director of Environmental Services on the Panel’s Work Programme for 2015/16.

The Panel considered a report by the Director of Environmental Services which reviewed the Panel’s work programme for 2015/16.

The Director of Environmental Services addressed the Panel to inform them that the Member Work Group for the public toilet refurbishment will be commencing shortly.

It was AGREED that Work Programme for 2015/16 be agreed.

To consider a report by the Director of Environmental Services on an annual report on the Street Cleansing Service.

The Panel considered a report by the Director of Environmental Services on an annual update of the Street Cleansing Service.

The report was presented by the Operations Manager, who then took questions from members.

Councillor Bryant enquired as to who was responsible for the clearing of weeds off of pavements and streets, and who should the public contact to report these issues. The Operations Manager explained that any reports should be directed to Hampshire County Council in the first instance as they will be responsible for spraying the weeds and then Fareham Borough Council will be responsible for the cleaning up of the weeds once they have completely died off.

The Operations Manager was also asked if there was any enforcement action that could be taken if there was offensive graffiti on private property which the owners refused to have removed. Members were advised that there would be some kind of enforcement action that could be taken but Officers would need to take advice from the Legal team on how this could be done.

Councillor Swanbrow passed on his thanks to the Street Cleansing team who are extremely efficient and quick at responding to reports of dead animals on the highway.

It was AGREED that the Panel note the contents of the report.

To consider whether it is on the public interest to exclude the public and representatives of the press from the remainder of the meeting in accordance with Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1979, on the grounds that the matter to be dealt with involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

It was AGREED that in accordance with Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public and representatives of the Press be excluded from the remainder of the meeting as the Panel considered it was not in the public interest to consider the matter in public on the grounds that it involved the disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Part 1 of schedule 12A of the Act.

To consider a report by the Director of Environmental Services on an annual review of the Trade Waste Service.

The Panel considered a report by the Director of Environmental Services on an annual review of the Trade Waste Service.

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

To allow Members to ask questions on any Streetscene related topic.

At the Invitation of the Chairman, Councillor’s Mrs Trott, Miss Harper, the Executive Member for Streetscene and Whittle, JP joined the Panel for this item.

Councillor Whittle addressed the Panel as he had received a suggestion to put forward to Officers. He explained that he had recently been contacted by a member of the public regarding litter picking. The resident suggested that the Council provide bags for volunteers to collect and use for litter picking when they are out in the Borough and then leave the bags by Council litter bins for collection. He also suggested that something similar could also be arranged for dog fouling.

The Operations Manager addressed the Panel to respond to Councillor Whittle’s suggestion. He explained that the Council do already operate a system where they provide black FBC marked bags to voluntary litter pickers and then arrange collection of these bags from the volunteer at a time that is convenient to both the volunteer and the Council’s operatives.

Councillor Trott raised this issue of advertising of this service that the Council offer as it has been some years since the Council put a notice in Fareham Today outlining this service to residents. The Operations Manager explained that he is currently working with the Head of Parking and Enforcement on ways to tackle dog fouling and littering. As part of this initiative they will be looking at ways to advertise and promote the voluntary service that the Council support.

The Chairman asked if the big clean up events have attracted more volunteers as the events did attract a lot of interest from residents. The Operations Manager did confirm that the events were very well attend and residents were very willing to help out on these days, but they have not gained any regular volunteers through them.

Councillor Whittle suggested that the volunteers receive some kind of award for their hard work, and maybe it could be something that is incorporated into the Council’s Fareham in Bloom Award Ceremony.

Councillor Mrs Bayford addressed the Panel and suggested that dog fouling bags be provided by dog bins in the hope that it could encourage less responsible dog walkers to pick up after their dog. The Director of Environmental Services confirmed that this could be investigated as part of the new initiative.

Councillor Norris raised concern that some of the no dog fouling posters that were put up last year have been removed. The Operations Manager assured members that he would ask the enforcement officers to investigate this.

The Director of Environmental Services concluded the discussion by informing the Panel that the Operations Manager will be meeting with the Communications Team next week to start working on the new initiative. He explained that the start of the process would be concerned with working on informing, educating and engaging with residents.

The Chairman thanked all members for their suggestions.