Agenda and minutes

Apologies of absence were received from Councillors D J Norris and D C S Swanbrow.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Streetscene Policy Development and Review Panel held on 10 September 2015.

It was AGREED that the minutes of the Streetscene Policy Development and Review Panel held on 10 September 2015 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 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.

Members were reminded that the report on Review of Bin Charging Policy that is scheduled for the 3 March 2016 may be removed from the work programme for 2015/16 due to the Vanguard Intervention that is about to start in Streetscene.

Councillor Bryant referred to item 6 of the previous minutes which stated that he had suggested that a report on Project Integra be added onto the work programme. The Chairman addressed the Panel and informed them that he is currently in discussion with the Chairman of Scrutiny Board to decide on which Committee this report will go to.

It was AGREED that the work programme for 2015/16, as set out in Appendix A of the report, be approved.

To consider a report by the Director of Environmental Services on an annual review of recycling performance.

The Panel considered a report by the Director of Environmental Services which provided an update on the annual performance of recycling in the Borough.

Councillor Englefield joined the meeting during this item.

The Panel noted that the biggest change that has occurred during the past 12 months is the removal of paper banks across the Borough.

Councillor Mandry raised an issue with the garden waste collection service, where there are problems with the crews securing the sacks once they have been emptied. The Refuse Recycling and Transport Manager informed the Panel that the they provide constant training with the crews to ensure that they provide a good customer service to the residents of the borough who are using this service.

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

To consider a report by the Director of Environmental Services on the Public Toilet Refurbishment 5 year programme.

The Panel considered a report by the Director of Environmental Services on the 5 year programme for the public toilet refurbishment.

The Chairman enquired when the Barry’s Meadow toilets were going to be replaced. He was informed that planning permission has been granted for the works but as of yet there is no planned start date.

Councillor Mandry put forward a suggestion that all of the women’s public toilets be provided with a hook on the back of the door where ladies are able to hand their bag or shopping on. The Public and Open Spaces Manager confirmed that many of the public toilets already provide this facility but she would look into the feasibility of providing it in all of the public toilets.

Councillor Trott referred to the minutes of the last meeting where she had raised the issue of the provision of public toilets at Bath Lane. She enquired again as to whether this is something that could be looked at again in the future. The Chairman reminded members that the toilets were closed originally due to the vandalism that occurred in them and that if they were to be reopened that the cost to maintain the facility would be too great. Councillor Trott suggested that the Council look into sponsorship of the toilets which would then provide the revenue needed to maintain the facility. The Director of Environmental Services addressed the Panel and suggested that he make enquires with other authorities to see if they provide such a service and if they do how well it is working.

Councillor Mrs Bayford addressed the Panel to inform them that she had recently been on a tour of the Public Toilets in the Borough as part of the Officer/Member Working Group that is dealing with public toilets. She expressed her thanks to Sue Woodbridge the Public and Open Spaces Manager and to Angie Ostler the Monitoring and Enforcement Officer for their time and effort given for the tour.

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

To consider a report by the Director of Streetscene which provides an update on the annual performance of the Grounds Maintenance Service.

The Panel considered a report by the Director of Environmental Services on an annual review of the Grounds Maintenance service.

The Chairman passed his thanks on to the crew who are currently planting outside of the Civic Offices, for the great job they are doing and for engaging with residents whilst carrying out their work.

Councillor Mrs Bayford enquired about Muslim Burials. The Operations Manager informed the Panel that they had recently had a request from the Muslim Community to provide cover for burials during evenings, weekends and bank holidays, however for the Council to provide this would be extremely costly and not feasible in the current financial climate for the Council to do. Therefore they are currently looking into the possibility of a contractor providing this service, or in the long term the Muslim Community to have their own Cemetery where they will be able to undertake their own burials.

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