Agenda item

The Committee considered a report of the Corporate Director of Resources that presented Members with progress on achieving those key outcomes of the council’s corporate performance framework aligned to the Environment and Sustainable Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee (for copy see file of minutes).

The Strategy Team Leader was in attendance to present the report.  She noted that the performance framework was being recast and realigned towards the Durham vision 2035 that had been developed after extensive public consultation.  She added that the vision had been agreed by Council and formally launched at a County Durham Partnership event on 25 October 2019 and focused on three new ambitions with a fourth being added:

·       More and better jobs

·       Long and Independent lives

·       Connected communities

·       Better Council

The Strategy Team Leader informed the committee that the ambition of Connected Communities – Sustainability was linked to the following key questions:

·       How clean and tidy is my local environment?

·       Are we reducing carbon emissions and adapting to climate change?

·       How effective and sustainable is our collection and disposal of waste?

The Strategy Team Leader used the questions to give Members an update on performance in the related areas.  In relation to how clean and tidy the local environment was she noted that the highest levels of flytipping incidents reported were within the Horden, South Moor and West Auckland areas.  She added that CCTV cameras were to be deployed to try to catch the culprits but using them in residential areas created challenges with data protection.  There was also an increase in the number of untidy gardens reported within the Horden and South Moor area with graffiti incidents decreasing.

The Strategy Team Leader informed the committee that in relation to the reduction of carbon emissions there had been several projects and measures put in place that had contributed to a reduction in CO2 emissions following the Climate Change emergency. She used the completion of phase 1 of the deculvert in Chester le Street as an example of just one project.

The Strategy Team Leader informed the committee that in relation to the collection and removal of waste there had been a decrease in the municipal waste that had been diverted from landfill.  She added that there had been an increase in the number of contaminated recycling bins and licensing for scrapmen was being enforced with an unlicensed scrapman being successfully prosecuted.

The Chair commented that the report gave a positive picture of what was happening within the remit of the Committee and in the Community.

Mrs Holding was concerned that members of the public seemed unclear as to what was to be recycled from household waste that had resulted in high number of contaminated bins.  She was unclear as to what plastics could or could not be recycled and wanted to know what rules there were on recycling that was available to residents that they could be sign posted to.

The Strategy Team Leader agreed that recycling for residents was confusing but the Strategic Waste Team had run various campaigns to ensure residents got it right.  She noted that leaflets had been circulated to residents and residents who had contaminated waste had been educated on recycling.  She added that there was no consistency nationally as to what plastics could or could not be recycled.

Councillor Adam commented that every effort went into advertising the benefits of recycling on Durham County Council’s website. He noted that there was confusion on whether black plastic could be recycled.  He added that he had been told that Durham County Council did not recycle black plastic as the sensors could not detect it when the separation process took place.

Councillor Clare reiterated Councillor Adam’s comments regarding the confusion around black plastic however he had been told that the new recycling plant at Seaham could recycle black plastic as they hand sorted items and did not rely on sensors.  He wanted to know if these facilities were available if a wider range of plastics could then be recycled or whether this would cause extra uncertainty in different areas. 

Mrs Holden wanted to know if Durham University could follow Manchester University’s example in recycling furniture, appliances and utensils for students attending a new academic year. 

Councillor Clare informed the Committee that Durham University did push the recycling of these items as on the day students left items were left on the path and a separate collection was made to collect items to pass on to future students.

Councillor Adam advised of the ‘Green Move out’ campaign that was operated by the authority.

Mrs Holden was disappointed at the increase in the number of untidy gardens reported and thought that this may be down to the charges for bulky item disposals being too costly.

Councillor Clare responded to Mrs Holden stating that those dumping waste in gardens wouldn’t pay the bulky waste fee.  He noted that the increase in the number of untidy gardens was the result of greater reporting mechanisms that were available to people.  He added that untidy gardens were generally linked to empty properties and landlords with tenants leaving items behind when they moved out and then added to by neighbours in the vicinity.  He notified the Committee that work was ongoing around this issue with the proposal to introduce selective licensing with regards to Landlords that may alleviate the situation.

Councillor Dunn was concerned that information was difficult for people to find in relation to recycling.  He suggested that a QR code could be introduced that linked to a video that showed what could or could not be recycled.  He added that recycling at Durham University should be advertised more widely to prevent first time students buying items unnecessarily.  He thought the Reuse shop at Stainton Grove recycling centre was a good use of recycling and should be rolled out further.

The Strategy Team Leader agreed to discuss this with the service manager.

Councillor Maddison stated that there were a lot of untidy gardens and back yards in her area.  She felt it happened more when people left the property leaving excess rubbish behind.  She thought that more pressure should be placed on the landlord to check properties when tenants left to ensure items were removed and not create costs for the Council.

Councillor Maddison also thought that pressure should be placed on manufacturers to identify on their packaging what could be recycled as she was confused as to whether bottle caps on milk bottles could be recycled.

The Strategy Team Leader responded that the introduction of selective licensing may address the issues of untidy gardens that would issue notices that landlords would need to respond to.

In relation to manufacturers the Strategy Team Leader notified the committee that due to there being no consistency nationally on what plastics should be recycled it made it difficult for manufacturers to add anything to their packaging.  She mentioned disposable wipes as a prime example as some were decomposable and others were not.

Councillor Adam informed the committee that the Council had established a private landlord scheme that worked closely with Neighbourhood Wardens to tackle untidy gardens within the County.

Councillor Batey noted that within her area disposable wipes were the main culprit that caused toilet blockages.  She suggested that work should be carried out with Northumbrian Water and manufacturers of wipes to ensure that there were sufficient warnings on packages to ensure they were not flushed down toilets.

The Strategy Team Leader reiterated her concerns that clarity should be made on the packaging of disposable wipes and not advertise them as decomposable if they were not.

Resolved: That the report be noted.