Agenda item

This report sets out progress made within the areas covered by the Portfolio Holder for Front Line Services which fall within the remit of this Committee.

Discussion:

Members received an overview of progress made on the areas within the scope of the Portfolio Holder for Front Line Services which fell within the remit of this Committee as set out below:

·         Local Growth Fund transport projects

·         Parking

·         Public transport

·         Roads

·         Street Cleaning and waste collection/recycling/waste disposal

·         Traffic management

·         Transport Strategy

·         Travel Safety

The Portfolio Holder expressed his sadness at hearing that Andy McGrath had recently passed away and explained that Andy had been very proud of Medway and a good friend over the years.

The Portfolio Holder responded to Members’ questions and comments as follows:

·         Road Safety – A Member referred to the increase in the number of recorded Killed or Seriously Injured (KSI) casualties in the 2015 calendar year and asked whether the Portfolio Holder was aware of any reasons for this increase and whether any specific locations could be identified where there were problems. The Portfolio Holder explained that Officer’s regularly monitored the information received so as to assess whether there were any blackspots and were therefore on the case.

·         Gully Cleaning – In response to a concern raised that not all gullies had been cleaned when they should have been and a query into what checks were in place to ensure that gullies had actually been cleaned, the Portfolio Holder advised that there were occasions when it was not possible for gullies to be cleaned on the planned cycle e.g. when parked cars created an obstruction but he reassured the Committee that such areas were revisited at a later date. He also confirmed that Officers undertake random checks on gullies to ensure that the cleansing work had been carried out.  In the event that the contractor was found to have underperformed, the contract contained the required conditions to enable the necessary action to be taken.

·         Road surfacing and cleanliness of verges – The Portfolio Holder was congratulated on the quality of the road surfaces in Medway and the cleanliness of the verges.  In response to a query on what contact he had with Kent County Council in regards to the quality of roads and verges just outside of Medway’s borders, the Portfolio Holder explained that he is in close contact with Kent County Council concerning these issues

·         Resurfacing of The Tideway – A Member questioned when the resurfacing of The Tideway would be undertaken and asked how many roads were on the planned resurfacing schedule that were subsequently delayed to future years. In response, the Portfolio Holder explained that an annual list of planned resurfacing works was produced so that it was possible to see in advance scheduled works and he confirmed that it was not usual for slippage to occur. However, resurfacing was taking longer in The Tideway due to the jointing on the road, which, in this instance, made resurfacing particularly difficult.

·         Staffing levels – In response to a concern in regards to whether there were adequate staff to deal with consultations on highway issues e.g. requests for double yellow lines, the Portfolio Holder reassured the Committee that whilst consultations on such matters involved a lengthy process, sufficient staff were in place to respond to such enquiries.

·         Parking Enforcement – A Member referred to a Member’s Item that he had submitted in 2013 seeking a full breakdown of information relating to parking enforcement and asked if the Portfolio Holder could provide information to a similar detailed level.  In response, the Portfolio Holder drew attention to the figures detailed at section 3.1.1 of the report and advised that that he would provide a further breakdown to the Member outside of the meeting.

·         Communications on Waste Services – A Member asked whether the Portfolio Holder considered that action should be taken to fine individuals who left their waste outside their homes far earlier than the planned collection day.  The Portfolio Holder advised the Committee that the Council wished to encourage the public to recycle but that if any Member had a specific issue in their own Ward they should bring this to the attention of Officers.

·         Waste Collection/Greenspaces – A Member expressed gratitude to Medway Council’s refuse collectors and the quality of their work and commended Medway’s Greenspaces on the condition of Darland Banks and the flowerbeds along Watling Boulevard. The Portfolio Holder confirmed that he would pass on these comments to those involved.

·         Disabled Parking Bays Qualification Criteria – A Member expressed concern that in some areas, Disabled Parking Bays could cause issues due to narrow roads and she asked whether there was coordination between Officer’s assessing applications for a Disabled Parking Bay and Officer’s responsible for considering the location of the Disabled Parking Bay on highway grounds. The Portfolio Holder explained that the team who determine whether an applicant qualified for a Disabled Parking Bay did not fall under his remit but he reassured Members that the Officer’s responsible for assessing the location of a Disabled Parking Bay would have regard to the narrowness of the road. The Member asked for further information as to the eligibility criteria for Disabled Parking Bays and the Democratic Services Officer was asked to supply this to the Member concerned.

·         Street Cleansing Rota – A Member asked for a copy of the street cleansing rota and the Portfolio Holder assured the Committee that he would arrange for this to be sent to Members outside of the meeting. Steve Baker, Acting Head of Waste, also informed Members that Officers were working on a project for the rota to be available digitally.

·         European Parking Collections– In response to a query from the Chairman  the Portfolio Holder agreed to provide information to Members on the percentage of European Parking Collections (EPC) which had been due to be paid to the Council.

Decision:

The Committee agreed to:

a)    thank the Portfolio Holder for Front Line Services for attending the meeting and answering questions;

b)    note that the Portfolio Holder will supply to the Member concerned  a more detailed breakdown of information on parking enforcement;

c)    note that  an updated street cleansing rota for each Ward will be distributed to Ward Members;

d)    note that information will be supplied on the percentage of European Parking Collections (EPC) which had been due to be paid to the Council

e)    note that the Democratic Services Officer will supply to the Member concerned, information as to the eligibility criteria for Disabled Parking Bays.