Agenda item

The Committee considered the 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 fourth quarter of the 2015/16 financial year (for copy of report, see file of minutes).

The Customer Relations Policy and Performance Manager gave a presentation which gave a performance summary and achievements as well as an update of the performance indicators relating to:

·       Refuse and Recycling

·       Improved Environmental Cleanliness

·       Fixed Penalty Notices

·       Fly-tipping: Key Trends, Actions and Outcomes

·       Condition of the Local Authority Road Network

·       Reduction in Carbon Emissions

·       Renewable Energy Generation

Councillor May referred to EU funding in relation to the recent referendum result to leave the European Union and asked how much the Council received and are the Council working on a plan to deal with this.

The Customer Relations Policy and Performance Manager responded that the main area was around carbon reduction in particular the grants for heating schemes. An assessment was being conducted, but they needed to wait until negotiations had started.

The Chairman indicated that an item was due to come to Members of this committee today on European Structural and Investment Fund but in light of recent national events this had been delayed and would be brought to a future meeting when more information was available.

Councillor Holland referred to the reduction in performance relating to the diversion from landfill indicator and the reasons for this. The Customer Relations Policy and Performance Manager responded that this was a result of the planned downtime at the energy from waste Haverton Hill site to increase the number of lines. The Customer Relations, Policy and Performance Manager advised that targets were still being met and that Suez had liability for any land tax incurred.

Councillor Holland referred to carbon reduction which resulted in energy reduction and suggested that this message should be made clear in the performance report and to residents to maximise energy reduction. The Customer Relations Policy and Performance Manager responded that she would look into this to see how it can be better represented in future.

Councillor Clark referred to recycling collections and asked why bottles had to be put into a separate container from other recycling materials when they are collected as all residents saw was all of the recycling materials emptied into the same vehicle collecting the two containers and were confused and which gave a mixed message.

The Customer Relation Policy and Performance Manager advised that it may look as if all recycling materials are going in together but the vehicle was split and the materials are kept separate.

Councillor Clark also referred to the Leazes Bowl roundabout and sought clarification if this was to remain tarmacked.

The Customer Relations Policy and Performance Manager and Councillor Freeman confirmed that it was to be reinstated on a smaller scale with a flower bed. The Customer Relations Policy and Performance Manager would provide Members with a general update on the works.

The Chairman thanked the Customer Relations Policy and Performance Manager for her very informative presentation.

Resolved: That the report be noted.