Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence and notices of appointment of substitute Members (if any).

Apologies were received from Cllr D J Knowles.

Councillors are reminded of the requirement to declare any interest, including the type of interest, and reason for that interest, either at this stage of the meeting or as soon as they become aware of that interest.

There were no declarations of interest given.

To receive any questions relating to items on the Agenda from members of the public and replies thereto.

Note:   A maximum of 30 minutes is allowed for this item.

There were no members of the public in attendance.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the last meeting.

The Minutes of the last meeting were approved as a true record.

To receive any announcements that the Chairman may wish to make.

The Chairman congratulated the Waste Service on the way that they had coped with providing a service in the recent bad weather.  The Group Manager for Street Scene and Open Spaces explained that a half day had been lost on the Thursday and a full day on the Friday due to snow.  He was planning that black sack collections would have caught up by Tuesday and recycling collections would have caught up by Friday.  This weeks collections were not being disrupted and all catch up work was being carried out on top of this.  The Chairman asked that the officer convey the thanks of the Group to staff.

The Chairman indicated that he intended to take item 7 on the agenda after item 9.

(1)          Motion 542 (Councillor Mrs J Roach – 30 November 2017)

The following motion previously considered by the PDG on 9 January 2018 has been referred back to the Group by Council (in line with Procedure Rule 15.1(e) for further consideration:

That this Council consider the use of recycling trolleys as a pilot project, hopefully in Silverton, as an alternative to assisted collections for those who wish to try out such a system.

Please note: Having considered the above Motion the Policy Development Group are asked to consider whether this Motion should either be supported or rejected. This decision will be referred back to Council on 25 April 2018.

The Group had before it Motion 542 (Councillor Mrs J Roach – 30 November 2017).

The motion, which had previously been considered by the PDG on 9 January 2018, had been referred back to the Group by Council (in line with Procedure Rule 15.1(e) for further consideration:

That this Council consider the use of recycling trolleys as a pilot project, hopefully in Silverton, as an alternative to assisted collections for those who wish to try out such a system.

The Chairman explained to the Group that the Motion had been rejected at the previous meeting, following thorough consideration, but that Council had referred it back.  Cllr Roach had put forward various suggestions regarding the Motion at Council and the Chairman had been expecting an amendment to the wording but this was not forthcoming, so Members were asked to consider the Motion as it stood.

Cllr Roach spoke to the Motion explaining that Silverton Parish Council had offered to purchase 10 trolleys for local residents and that the trolleys could be aimed at people that did not yet require an assisted collection but struggled to manage recycling boxes. She also expressed concern at the aging workforce who might struggle to lift boxes. Cllr Roach had checked with the maker of the boxes and found that the boxes came in a variety of sizes. She claimed that recycling performance had gone up in the areas of the UK that had introduced the boxes and that local residents had told her they would be prepared to pay for the boxes.

The Director of Operations explained that the waste infrastructure was different in Scotland and Wales and authorities there had different targets and financial reasons for introducing new schemes.  The budget and business plan for Waste Services had already been set for the year and any funding or officer time for a trial would need to be found from an area already agreed. Members would need to decide what the authority should stop doing if they wanted to undertake a trial.

Discussion took place regarding:

·         The trollies would not be suitable for all residents, particularly those that lived on hills or with steps;

·         The ‘letter box’ aspect of the boxes which allowed them to be filled whilst stacked could save space and reduce lifting and handling;

·         Concerns regarding costs;

·         The increase to recycling performance in Wales could have been attributed to a change in the collection scheme to three weekly black sack collections, the addition of mixed plastics to the scheme and the trollies.  There was no evidence to suggest how much difference the trollies had made;

·         The Welsh Government had helped to fund the trollies, their targets had financial penalties if not met and there was a recycling target of 60% so they were in a different situation than English authorities;

·         A trial would require a project plan, terms of reference and an agreed method to measure success.

It was RESOLVED that a sample trolley be sourced, before the next meeting, that was  ...  view the full minutes text for item 58.

To receive a report outlining the performance of the Street Scene Education and Enforcement service for the first nine months of operation following the service review in 2016/17.

The Group had before it and NOTED a report * outlining the performance of the Street Scene Education and Enforcement service for the first nine months of operation following the service review in 2016/17.

The Group Manager for Street Scene and Open Spaces introduced the Environment and Enforcement Manager.

The Group Manager explained that at the Environment Policy Development Group meeting on the 7^th March 2017 a list of recommendations were made and accepted by the Cabinet regarding smarter working practices.  This followed a review of the Street Scene Education and Enforcement Service which had been undertaken over the previous eight months.

A revised working pattern was developed by management and staff during the review and was introduced on the 1st April 2017.  Under the new working pattern officers now worked four of six days (Mon – Sat) on a rota basis (9.25 hours per day).

The allocation of discretionary time available was detailed in the following table:

The officer confirmed that litter patrols had been very productive in generating more FPN’s.

Discussion took place regarding:

·         The difficulty in enforcing regarding dog fouling;

·         A success reported by a Member when a local resident worked with District Officers and the matter was dealt with promptly and effectively;

·         The need for 12 months data before making further decisions regarding allocation of time.

Note: - Report * previously circulated and attached to Minutes.

To provide Members with an update on performance against the corporate plan and local service targets for 2017-18 as well as providing an update on the key business risks.

The Group had before it and NOTED an update * on performance against the Corporate Plan and local service targets for 2017-18 as well as an update on the key business risks.

Note: - Report * previously circulated and attached to Minutes.

To consider a report of the Director of Finance, Assets and Resources regarding a review of the Bereavement Services Fees and Charges for 2018-2019

The Group had before it a report * from the Director of Finance, Assets and Resources regarding a review of the Bereavement Services Fees and Charges for 2018-2019.

The Director of Operations introduced the report, explaining that it contained proposed increases to charges.

Discussion took place regarding:

·         Benchmarking with other authorities;

·         Fees covered the cost of providing the service;

·         This was not a Statutory service;

·         Fees covered the ongoing costs of maintaining the graveyard.

It was RECOMMENDED that Cabinet approve the proposed charges for 2018-19 set out on table A of the report.

(Proposed by the Chairman)

Note: - Report * previously circulated and attached to the Minutes.

To receive the Chairman’s draft annual report on the work of the Group since May 2017, which will be submitted to Council on 25 April 2018.

The Group had before it and NOTED a draft report * by the Chairman on the work of the Group since May 2017, a final copy of this report would be submitted to Council on 25 April 2018.

Note: - Report previously circulated and attached to Minutes.

Note: This item is limited to 10 minutes.  There should be no discussion on the items raised.

Waste and Recycling regular update

Repairing Footpaths and Roads Policy

Performance and Risk

Waste and Recycling regular update

Repairing Footpaths and Roads Policy

Performance and Risk

Motion 542 (with supporting information regarding potential cost implications and proposals for what could be removed from the Business Plan to provide funding if approved)

District Officer Discretionary Time