Agenda item - ENVIRONMENT SERVICES 1ST QUARTER 2016/17

Agenda item

ENVIRONMENT SERVICES 1ST QUARTER 2016/17

The report of the Director (Finance and Operations) combines Environment Services information and Serco’s customer satisfaction performance for quarter 1 2016/17. 

Minutes:

The report of the Director (Finance and Operations) combined Environment Services information and Serco’s customer satisfaction performance for quarter 1 for 2016/17.

 

Recycling Performance

Members welcomed the increase in the recycling rate to just over 54% and the explanation from Officers that the street sweeping materials, which went to a different facility where material was extracted and was either recycled or composted.  This was landfill in the last quarter whereas this quarter was estimated that approximately 70% was now recycled.

 

Recycling Collection (blue-lidded bin)

Members requested that some context be provided in relation to the dissatisfaction referred to in the report relating to the perceived infrequency of collections, missed collections and recycling bins not being big enough at the next quarter.

 

Ground maintenance

Officers, following queries raised by Members regarding the new low figure for the satisfaction for verges, hedges and shrubs, with the agreement of the Chairman undertook to look into the reasons should the figure remain low and would flag it up for the Committee’s attention.

 

General Discussion

Officers, in response to the point raised by Members that no reference to local recycling centres was made, advised that the satisfaction survey did not ask the direct question relating to local recycling centres e.g. those at shopping parades.  Members were not satisfied with their local one as it was always full and had to make the call all too often to the contact centre.

 

The Director (Finance & Operations), in response to a question from a Member regarding the fly-tip prosecution, reported that the money the guilty party was ordered to pay costs in the region of £3,000 would be paid to the council via the Court costs, which would take some time to be received.  The guilty party also had to complete a significant number of hours on community service.  Although the money may be slow in coming through should it not come the Court would enforce it and the Council would pursue this matter.

 

Officers undertook to advise the Committee when the money had been received. 

 

Members welcomed the action taken by the Council with regards to the fly-tip prosecution and the message which it portrayed to the public was that the press attention was very welcome.

 

With regards to Recycling Collection (blue-lidded bin), Members queried whether residents were asked open questions and noted that some residents had stated that they were not happy with the frequency of the service. 

 

The Chairman reassured the Committee that satisfaction with Grounds Maintenance – verges was lower than previously and that Officers would look into the information and keep the service under close review.  If performance remained low then Officer would look into the matter further and bring it to the Committee’s attention.

 

Litter and Sweeping Services

Performance Indicator 18 – Members asked that Officers report the actions being taken to improve the dissatisfaction rates for this target at the next meeting when performance would be reported.

 

Members applauded the support given by Officers to residents who had formed groups in localities to litter pick and were of the view that this support should continue.

 

RESOLVED:

 

That the contents of the report be noted.

 

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