Agenda item

To receive a report of the Street Scene Task and Finish Group.

The Cabinet received a report of the Street Scene Task and Finish Group.

Councillor Bonfante introduced the report and provided the following update on the recommendations:

“I just want to give my thanks to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, the task and finish group, especially Councillor Sarson and, of course the officers, for this report; we are very, very happy with it and we think residents are going to be too.

This report sets out recommendations from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting held on the 14th of December 2023. This report was very well received by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, as well as a well considered report and body of recommendations. The Task and Finish Group discussed and debated a number of matters regarding waste and recycling, such as recycling rates, paper recycling and inner paper caddies, cardboard, recycling, Bring Bank recycling centres, communication, education and enforcement of rubbish being dumped and fly-tipped, waste cage days, grass verge protection and monitoring of actions and recommendations made by the task and finish group.

The recommendations of the Street Scene Task and Finish Group are as follows:

Recommendation 1 that the collections of flattened cardboard presented beside a blue lidded bin is implemented. This would help boost our recycling rate at no cost to the Council, I am very pleased to say, as an Executive Member for Environment, I have already approved this as a trial. The trial commenced in the last couple of weeks, and is going well. We are collecting more cardboard for recycling at the kerb side than previously.  Once we have further information from the trial, I will consider if this is implemented on a permanent basis.

Recommendation 2 is that the bring bank recycling service is reviewed and a plan prepared for implementation of the change by the 1st of April 2024. The purpose of this review is to introduce a more efficient and resilient recycling service than the current bring banks. The current bring banks will be  replaced with 1,100 litre bins that can be collected by all refuse collection vehicles rather than one specialist vehicle. This can also facilitate more frequent collections, especially before and after bank holiday weekends which often experiences high usage.

The review will also look at bring bank locations to ensure coverage, and it is possible that some locations will be removed, such as bring banks near Tewin Road Recycling Centre or locations that have to be driven to and are not close to flats served by a communal collection service.

Recommendation three, that the Council investigate options for entering a 12 month pilot contract with an external provider for environmental enforcement. This pilot would be for the enforcement of rubbish dumping, fly tipping and littering. Residents told us that the recent community survey said that they want to live and feel safe in cleaner neighbourhoods. This pilot would support a more robust approach towards tackling the illegal dumping of rubbish, including use of mobile CCTV.

Recommendation 4 is that the Council continue to collect paper separately from other dry mixed recycling as this provides a greater income than if it is mixed.

We will see about twice as much income from separating out paper, than if it is mixed with dry recyclables, so it makes sense to continue this rather than to collect paper with other recyclables. Our officers will be investigating alternatives to the current inner paper caddies as we are experiencing difficulties with supply and lead in times for delivery from the current manufacturer.

Recommendation 5 that a communications campaign be developed. The purpose of communications campaign is twofold, firstly, to encourage civic pride for our borough and secondly, the intention is to enhance education about matters such as travel, waste disposal and recycling, but also to publicise about the enforcement actions the Council has taken to tackle illegal dumping of rubbish 

Recommendation 6 consideration of sponsorship by corporate contractors for waste cage days. Waste cage days have operated in the past to help support residents to dispose of large items or large amounts of waste. Officers will seek sponsorship from corporate contractors to support the cost of this.

Recommendation 7 that a Cabinet Street Scene Panel is introduced to provide regular oversight on the performance of the out outsourced waste and cleansing contract. Whilst further discussion is to be made with Cabinet, we believe that the Overview and Scrutiny Committee is best placed to provide scrutiny for street scene, and our reasons are that members already receive KPI and performance data on them on the Member Information Hub. Members of OSC have the ability to call on any service areas as scrutiny topic rather than setting up a cabinet member panel. In order to address the point directly raised by Task and Finish Group, I will ask officers to provide an annual report to OSC on the performance of the outsourced waste and street cleansing contract. This will save a member panel being set up and the OSC could ask any further questions. We want to provide proper scrutiny for this, but we believe Overview and Scrutiny Committee is the best place to do this and we have great faith in our members.

And the final recommendation number 8 is that information is provided about the responsibility for grass verges and their protection. A briefing note will be distributed on the Members Information Hub on the responsibility for verge protection across the borough. Most verges adjoining the highway are Hertfordshire County Council land. Most other areas across the borough are either Council, land or privately owned.  Each landowner makes their own decision regarding whether or not to protect grass verges with measures.

Thank you I recommend to Cabinet to approve this.”

During the discussion the following comments were made:

·       Councillor Kingsbury stated that the recommendations of the Task & Finish Group were well informed, and thanked Cllr Sarson for chairing the Task & Finish Group. He expressed his understanding that it is right for the Overview and Scrutiny Committee to provide scrutiny.

·       The Executive Member for Governance felt that part of the rationale for using the existing structure and not implementing a new Panel is that it will avoid additional costs to the council.

·       The Deputy Leader proposed that an annual report would go to Overview and Scrutiny Committee setting out the recommendations agreed by Cabinet and Council to ensure progress is recorded.

RESOLVED: 

(unanimous) 

DECISION TAKEN

Cabinet agreed to:

a)    Note the Street Scene Task and Finish Group Report,

b)    Note the update provided by the Executive Member for Environment;

c)     Approve the recommendations.