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 responded to Members’ questions and comments as

follows:

Waste services – A Committee Member asked for a breakdown by ward of the locations of Waste Warden visits, details of the standards for Waste Warden inspections and details of on street litter bin locations in Princes Park, including the 20 locations that had been deemed not suitable. The Member also asked when the QR data collected from a project, that aimed to improve the public reporting of overflowing bins, would be available. In relation to stickers used by a volunteer group to help identify overflowing bins and to promote the work of the group, it was suggested that the Council should provide these stickers.

The Portfolio Holder agreed to provide details of Waste Warden visits. He advised that the inspection standards were nationally set. Some bins had been removed due to safety issues or them being duplicates. One example was dog bins close to a dual purpose bin. This was unnecessary as there was no longer a requirement for separate dog bins to be provided. The Portfolio Holder said that a list of locations that bins had been removed from in Princes Park would be provided. He suggested that Norse bin liners could be left next to full bins rather than stickers and said that consideration could be given to putting messages on the bags in relation to the local volunteer group.

St Margaret’s Cemetery – A Member highlighted signs installed at St Margaret’s Cemetery to promote responsible behaviour by dog owners. These had been paid for by Member ward improvement funding.

Streetscene, bin locations and dog fouling - Members of the Committee offered their thanks to the Streetscene Team. The issue of persistent flytipping and the work to address this with ward Councillors was highlighted. A Member asked whether bins identified as being in an unsuitable location were relocated elsewhere and requested that ward Councillors be involved in the identification of locations. The Member also asked if anything further could be done to address dog fouling.

The Portfolio Holder agreed that the Streetscene Team did an excellent job and said that some team restructuring had been undertaken to assist with staff retention. He said that although the provision of bins did not fall under his Portfolio remit, the number of bins would be specified in the Norse contract. Signs and pavement stencils were used to address dog fouling and it was requested that details of specific issues identified by Members be passed to Council officers.

Stray dogs – in relation to stray dogs, which were taken to Battersea Cats and Dogs Home to be rehomed if they had not been reclaimed within 7 days, the Assistant Director, Frontline Services, understood that there was no financial cost to the Council. This would be confirmed. In response to a Member concern that 7 days might not give adequate time for a dog to be reclaimed, the Assistant Director said that this was a national standard and that the owner would be able to contact the Battersea Home directly to reclaim their dog.

Leaves – A Member said that they had received a number of complaints about leaves in gutters. The Portfolio Holder said that vehicles were sent out to collect leaves every couple of weeks and Waste Wardens would report any issues identified to Medway Norse.

Waste and trade waste flytipping – A Member considered there was a need for action taken in relation to flytipping to be highlighted as residents were often not aware of such action. The Portfolio Holder said communication tools were used but he agreed that more could be done. This could include an article in Medway Matters.

Decision:

The Committee:

a)    Noted the report.

b)    Noted that the Portfolio Holder had agreed to look at increasing publicity of enforcement action taken in relation to flytipping and the QR code scheme that aimed to address overflowing bins.

c)    Requested that the following information be provided:

i)    A breakdown of Waste Warden visits by ward.

ii)  A map and location of bins audited in Q2 2022/23 for removal or replacement, broken down by ward.

d)    Requested a commitment to discuss arrangements for ongoing support for volunteer groups.