Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors; J E Butts and R H Price, JP.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Streetscene Policy Development and Review Panel meeting held on 2 November 2017.

It was AGREED that the minutes of the Streetscene Policy Development and Review Panel held on 2 November 2017, 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 Head of Streetscene which gives a preliminary review of the work programme 2017/18 and draft work programme 2018/19.

The Panel considered a report by the Head of Streetscene which reviewed the Panel’s work programme for the current year 2017/18, and gave initial consideration for the Panel’s work programme for 2018/19.

The Panel were asked if they had any further items that they would like to add to the proposed work programme for 2018/19. Councillor Keeble suggested that under the Review of Recycling, an update on plastic recycling be included in with this report.

The Chairman made reference to the visits to the Energy Recovery Facility and the Materials Recovery Facility that were arranged for Member’s last year, and asked if these could be arranged again for this year. The Head of Streetscene confirmed that this could be arranged and that the Committee Officer would contact Panel Member’s to arrange this.

It was AGREED that the Panel:-

(a)  considered the outcomes of the Panel’s work programme for the current year; and

(b)  gave consideration to an outline draft work programme for 2018/19, to which further consideration can be given to those matters at the meeting on 1 March 2018.

To consider a report by the Head of Streetscene on an annual review of the Refuse Collection Service.

The Panel considered a report by the Head of Streetscene which gave an annual review of the Refuse Collection Service.

In addition to this the Panel also received a short presentation by the Transport Supervisor on the new Refuse Vehicles that were procured in 2017, these vehicles whilst being euro 6 compliant also feature the following improvements:

Emergency brake assist

Lane change warning device

Side guard for pedestrian and cycle safety

360 camera which also includes a cycle aware system

Electric Lift system which is quieter and faster than the old system.

It was AGREED that the Panel:-

(a)  note the content of the report; and

(b)  thanked the Transport Supervisor for his informative presentation.

To receive a presentation by the Head of Streetscene on the Countryside Service.

The Panel received a presentation on the Countryside Service which has transferred from the Leisure and Community Portfolio to the Streetscene Portfolio.

The presentation was given by the Countryside Ranger and featured some of the following areas:

·         The Role of the Service

·         A brief history of the Service

·         Details of the Sites that fall under the Council’s responsibility and the different types of designation of these sites

·         Some of the attributes of the sites, and what the various sites are assessed on

·         The Community Contribution

·         A list of the Volunteer Groups

·         Achievements/successes over the past few years.

Members enquired as to whether there were any plans to adopt more land in the future for Community use. The Head of Streetscene confirmed that this may happen in the future but stressed that we would only adopt new land where there is a financial contribution that comes with it to support the work that would need to be undertaken.

It was AGREED that the Countryside Ranger be thanked for his presentation.

To receive a presentation by the Head of Streetscene on an annual review of the Bus Shelter Maintenance Contract.

The Panel received a presentation by the Technical Officer (Streetscene) on the Bus Shelter maintenance contract.

The presentation gave an overview of the previous contract and the issues that had arisen from that contract, and highlighted the improved changes to the shelter’s since the new contract was awarded to Queensbury Shelters Ltd in July 2016.

One of the differences with the new contract is that all of the bus shelters are now in Fareham Borough Council ownership, and as a result of this the advertising shelters have decreased from 43 shelters to just 8. These 8 shelters are now used to advertise Council events only.

The presentation also focused on the future plans, which include the replacement of the remaining older shelters and the installation of new shelters along Newgate Lane South.

Members’ noted that the improved cleaning of the shelters has resulted in a significant decrease in the number of complaints.

Lastly the presentation looked at some of the issues that arise for this service, which included the changing of bus routes by First Bus, the suitability of locations for shelters and the difficulty in managing individual requests.

The Panel agreed that the new contract is working well and there is a noticeable visual improvement to the shelters within the Borough.

It was AGREED that the Technical Officer (Streetscene) be thanked for his informative presentation.