Agenda item

This report sets out progress made within the areas covered by the Portfolio Holder for Business Management, Councillor Hackwell which fall within the remit of this Committee.

Discussion:

The Committee received an overview of progress made on the areas within the scope of the Portfolio Holder for Business Management which fell within the remit of this Committee.

The Portfolio Holder thanked teams that had helped compile the report, particularly the bereavement, emergency planning and registration teams, in view of the challenges they had faced due to Covid. Other Members of the Committee added their thanks. The work of the Engagement Wardens and Dog Wardens was also highlighted.

The Portfolio Holder responded to Members’ questions and comments as

follows:

Targeted street cleaning inspections – Noting that the amount of litter varied street to street due to factors such as housing density and the number of parked cars, a Committee Member said that he would like to see inspections target the areas that attracted the most litter. The Portfolio Holder advised that the inspection teams inspected streets in every Medway ward and that they undertook targeted inspections but he acknowledged that the figures could be better. The Portfolio Holder would shortly be going on a round with an inspection team.

Emergency Planning Team capacity – A Member was concerned that the staff capacity of the Emergency Planning Team had been reduced and highlighted the importance of it being well resourced and effective. The Portfolio Holder said that he had recently approved recruitment of a post to make a temporary position permanent. He believed that there were currently three people within the Team but undertook to confirm this following the meeting.

Inspections of recycling bin sites and thanks to staff – In relation to the weekly inspections or recycling ‘bring sites’, it was requested that future Portfolio Holder reports include details of which sites had been visited and when. The Member also requested that the Portfolio Holder pass on thanks to those involved in the response to recent flooding in Canal Road, Strood.

Requests for further information – A Member requested that information on inspection visits to recycling street bin sites, Waste Wardens and the areas they cover, details of how dog fouling had been tackled across Medway and details of whose responsibility it was to refer injuries caused by dogs to the Police, be included in the next Portfolio Holder report to be presented to the Committee.

Decision:

The Committee:

a)    Noted the report and thanked the Portfolio Holder for attending the meeting and answering questions.

b)    Expressed its thanks to various Council teams, particularly the bereavement team for their work in response to the challenges they had faced due to Covid and to those involved in the response to recent flooding in Canal Road, Strood.

c)    Requested that the following information be included in the next Portfolio Holder report to the Committee:

i)    Details of inspection visits to recycling street bin sites.

ii)   Details of the role of Waste Wardens and the areas they cover.

iii)Details of how dog fouling had been tackled across Medway.

iv)Details of whose responsibility it is to refer injuries caused by dogs to the Police.

d)    Requested that the Dog Warden service emphasise to dog owners the requirement for dogs to have an ID tag in addition to a harness.