Agenda item

The Committee considered a report of the Corporate Management Team which presented progress against the Councils corporate basket of performance indicators for the Altogether Greener theme and report other significant performance issues for the second quarter of 2015/16 covering the period July to September 2015 (for copies see file of minutes).

The Performance Officer gave a presentation (for copy see file of minutes) which gave an update of the performance indicators relating to;

·       Cleaner, more attractive, sustainable environment

·       Refuse and recycling

·       Improved environment cleanliness

·       Fly-tipping key trends

·       Fly-tipping actions and outcomes

·       Condition of the Local Authority road network

·       Reduction in carbon emissions

·       Renewable energy generation

·       Awards

Councillor May referred to dog fouling and the recent press articles in relation to DNA testing for dogs and sought clarification if this had been discussed.

Officer’s responded that they needed to consider the cost and offence and that the maximum fine was currently £80 and they needed to consider if the cost was justified, they would also require other evidence.

Councillor Clare indicated that this issue had been discussed on his blog and that you needed to find the dog to carry out the tests.

The Chair indicated that the people who pick up after their dogs would be willing to provide a sample of their dog’s DNA but those that don’t pick up would not so there would be no advantage.

Councillor Hall referred to detritus and could there be an incentive for those people who reported it.

The Officer responded that they currently operated incentives for litter by giving a golden ticket and recycling have a number of schemes and this area could be looked at.

In response to a question from Councillor Hall the Officer advised that she would check if the number of defects to carriageways and footways were increasing and report back.

Councillor Adam referred to fly-tipping and levels of detritus which overall was down but incidents in the East were up by 6% but in terms of performance was good news.

The Officer responded that detritus was below an acceptable level and even though dog fouling was up it was still lower than the national average. Officers explained that in relation to fly-tipping there were hotspot areas and they had noted there had been an increase in the number of carcases of white goods being fly-tipped. There was a need to dig down to the detail in relation to cross boarder fly-tipping.

Councillor Clark referred to the East struggling in terms of fly-tipping and asked if covert cameras could be used in relation to catching dog owners who persistently do not pick up after their dogs.

Officers responded that the cameras were hidden but a notice had to be displayed and they could not be placed in areas where there was a lot of activity. Councillor Clark responded that the incidents were on estates so would not be suitable for cameras.

Councillor Jewell sought clarification on how defects was recorded, were they all logged as separate incidents or if they had to return to a particular site would this be logged with previous incidents. He also indicated that the covert cameras were proving to be self-financing.

The Officer responded that all defects are recorded and monitored and that the cameras were more of a deterrent, but with fines they were proving to be value for money and had the capacity to monitor and record.

Resolved: That the report be noted.