Agenda item

This report represents a review of the performance of the Joint Venture

from the perspective of the Council client for the second quarter of the 2019/20 financial year. It is accompanied by an update on the Joint Venture’s achievements and financial performance prepared by the Partnership Director.

Discussion:

Members considered a report which represented a review of the performance of the Joint Venture from the perspective of the Council client for the second quarter of the 2019/20 financial year. It was accompanied by an update on the Joint Venture’s achievements and financial performance prepared by the Partnership Director.

The Partnership Director advised Members that the quarter 3 results would show a sizeable increase in the rebate to the Council, with a further rebate of £120,000 expected. Also, in 2019 the vans used by Medway Norse had been replaced with new low emission vehicles.

The following issues were discussed:

·         Winning new business – the ambition Medway Norse had to win new business was queried, noting that being seen to be competitive would demonstrate that the Council itself was obtaining value for money from Medway Norse. The Partnership Director assured Members that Medway Norse was still ambitious to win commercial work. This year Medway Norse had won contracts with the NHS and also for the delivery of facilities management to local businesses. The next progress report would include more detail about contracts won.

·         Tree planting – reference was made to an offer to Members that Medway Norse would maintain any trees for a year bought by Members using their ward improvement funds and how this did not represent what should be a strategic approach to tree planting, the Partnership Director advised that tree planting and maintenance was not happening on an ad hoc basis.

·         Pest Control Service – regarding concerns expressed about the efficiency of the pest control booking process, the Partnership Director commented that this was not a concern he had come across but would look into the matter.

·         Deangate Ridge – responding to concerns about Medway Norse vehicles parked at Deangate Ridge causing congestion and frustration among local residents, the Partnership Director clarified that only small service vehicles were parked there. The Chief Legal Officer added this was a temporary arrangement and a result of having to quickly find a site during the transition of the waste collection service to Medway Norse.

·         Villager Bus - the Partnership Director clarified that this service still operated but use by the community had decreased. The bus could only run where there were enough passengers to ensure the service did not to make a loss.

·         Climate Change - in response to actions taken by Medway Norse, Members were advised that the new waste collection depot would be energy efficient and environmentally friendly, including charging ports to enable the fleet to switch in part to electric vehicles.

·         Use of herbicides in public places - the Partnership Director confirmed that Medway Norse would be spraying in accordance with the recent Cabinet decision and glyphosate would not be used in play areas.

·         SEN Transport – in response to comments that some schools were reporting that transport for SEN children was repeatedly late, the Partnership Director advised that Medway Norse delivered SEN transport to a small number of schools. The contract had been won last year and due to the challenging nature of some children’s needs staff had required training. The situation was improving but lateness was still an issue in a small proportion of the journeys. Medway Norse were required to transport children to schools as directed by the Council and when vehicles were full this could lead to time constraints.

·         Support from Norse Group – in response to a question about whether Medway Norse received sufficient support from the Norse Group to reflect the increase in the services delivered by Medway Norse, the Partnership Director commented that they received financial and central services support from Norse but would receive additional support when requested. 

·         Incident at Rochester Castle Gardens – a request was made for the outcome into the investigation of an incident at the Castle gardens where a Medway Norse employee had been trapped beneath a cast iron gate. The Partnership Director advised the report into the incident was with the Council but had not yet been published and he would prepare a briefing for Members. The member of staff involved was due to return to work shortly.

·         Waste Collection Service – in response to concerns from Members about poor levels of service in two areas, the Partnership Director stated that he had not been made aware of any significant concerns. Members could report problems via the Council’s website or by telephone. If necessary they could contact him and he would progress any issues. 

Decision:                   

The Committee agreed to note the report and request a briefing on the accident at Rochester Castle involving an employee of Medway Norse, as mentioned above.