Agenda item

Report of the Corporate Management Team.

The Committee considered a report and presentation of the Neighbourhood Services Management Team which presented progress against the Council’s corporate basket of performance indicators for the Altogether Greener theme and reported other significant performance issues for the first quarter of 2014/15 covering the period April to June 2014 (for copy of report and slides of presentation see file of minutes).

The Customer Relations Policy and Performance Manager provided an overview of performance along with key messages, achievements and challenges from the first quarter.

The presentation highlighted the key ongoing projects which were taking place across the County in respect of the built environment, carbon emissions, natural environment and the clean and attractive environment.

In addition the presentation provided a focus upon fly-tipping hot spots and the work which was being undertaken on a multi-agency basis to help understand the problem, provide education and seek community involvement and ultimately provide tougher enforcement.

The Customer Relations Policy and Performance Manager further provided detail with regard to deposited waste types, top locations, common fly-tip sizes and prosecutions.

It was noted that during the period of October to December there would be a high profile county-wide campaign alongside educational programmes in schools, roadshows, and work with private land-owners, housing providers and AAPs.

With regard to enforcement it was noted that a specialist fly-tipping team had been established and worked to identify and target repeat offenders, rogue traders and commercial fly-tippers through multi-agency spot check operations. A  team of six Neighbourhood Wardens would also work together to increase business compliance with trade waste disposal in hot-spot areas and improve the process for recovering costs from fly-tipped waste.

The Corporate Director, Neighbourhood Services advised that the council did utilise covert cameras and publicity regarding prosecutions would be seen over the coming few months.

The Customer Relations Policy and Performance Manager then invited Sandra Robertson, Special Projects Manager to provide background information in relation to Heritage Open Days and a brief summary of the work undertaken during the year. A copy of the most recent publication which listed the venues and activities taking place during the year was circulated to members for their information.

Discussion then ensued regarding fly-tipping and waste regulations. Councillor Morrison queried whether there was similar regulations for furniture retailers in relation to the disposal of large furniture items as there was for electrical retailers  In response the Head of Projects and Business Services advised that there were no similar regulations in place for the removal of furniture waste he added that it was very difficult to get retailers on board to offer this service without any legislation in place.

Councillor Clark raised a number of queries regarding; the collection of additional waste left next to the wheelie bin and the use of plastic bags in recycling bins. She further queried whether local supermarkets could be encouraged to use plastic carrier bags which were accepted for recycling by the local authority. It was noted that only clear bags would be accepted when left next to the wheelie bin and plastic carrier bags were currently not allowed to be placed within the recycling bin.

Councillor Adam queried whether fly tipping would be preventable if charges were dropped for bulky waste collection. He further questioned whether the opening / closing of Household Waste Recycling Centres  had also impacted upon fly-tipping.

In response the Corporate Director Neighbourhood Services advised that it had been learnt that fly-tipping was not always about the charge and more about the type of person tipping. He advised that at this time there was no evidence to suggest that charging for the removal of waste had led to an increase in incidents. He further commented that given the very open countryside aspects of County Durham it was very difficult to monitor all sites at all times.

Mr T Bolton, asked whether there was any training provided for magistrates who would be dealing with prosecutions and whether positive outcomes were publicised. In response the Corporate Director Neighbourhood Services advised that training was provided and was key to ensure the correct prosecutions were made. In addition prosecutions were widely publicised.

Mr T Bolton then asked whether it would be possible to include some clearer information within the County Durham News publication regarding carbon emissions and what grants were available as a great deal of confusion regarding grants was felt amongst the public. It was agreed that someone from the Warm Up North team come back to a future meeting to discuss further.

Councillor May asked for clarification in relation to the number of waste permits  for HWRCs and in particular the monitoring of business vehicles accessing the sites.

Councillor Zair commented that given the high number of fly-tipping incidents within the Bishop Auckland area could it be expected that extra action would be taken in this area. It was noted that the Multi-Agency Task Force had put an action plan in place for this area, with additional surveillance taking place. The Corporate Director Neighbourhood Services advised that Councillor Zair could contact him directly to discuss actions in his area.

Councillor Clare noted that the map highlighting hotspots showed variance and change across the county, however queried whether another map could be provide showing absolute incidents. The Customer Relations Policy and Performance Manager advised that this could be provided alongside quarter 2 performance.

Resolved:

That the content of the report be noted.