To approve as a correct record the minutes of the Cleaner, Greener and Safer Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting held on 22 February 2018.

The minutes of the Cleaner Greener and Safer Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on the 22 February 2018 were approved as a correct record.

To receive additional items that the Chair is of the opinion should be considered as a matter of urgency, in accordance with Section 100B (4) (b) of the Local Government Act 1972.

No matters of urgent business were received.

No interests were declared.

Julie Rogers, Director of Environment and Highways, thanked Beau Stanford-Francis and his team for their hard work in completing the report and advised that Beau had subsequently left the employment of Thurrock Council. Julie Rogers updated Members on the progress and performance of the Linford Household Waste and Recycling Centre since it had been returned under the Council’s control in June 2017. Julie Rogers detailed the ongoing improvements and the redevelopment programme that had been identified in the report.

The Chair thanked Julie Rogers for the report and noted that the current site was old, possibly not fit for purpose and required improvements and hoped that the planned developments would provide this.

The Chair stated that the current members of the committee had not seen the proposed development plans and asked that these be sent to all Members. The Chair also requested a site visit to the Linford Centre and this would be arranged by democratic services.

Councillor Sheridan stated that she had visited the site this week and although the Council had taken steps in the right direction the site was dreadful and the permit scheme was not working successfully. Councillor Sheridan questioned why the trial week had not continued for longer and why there were no signs at the site advising residents of the permitting scheme. She also felt that there should be a facility to issue permits on site. Councillor Sheridan also questioned how the centre would cope with the increase in potential homes being built in the borough.

Councillor Rigby agreed that permits should be issued on site.

Julie Rogers stated reports and plans presented to Members at the Cleaner Greener and Safer Overview and Scrutiny Committee in October 2017 and to Cabinet in December 2017 would be forwarded to Members for information and would be happy to host a visit to the Linford Centre. Julie Rogers confirmed that the indicative plans formed part of the pre-planning application.

Julie Rogers stated that the trial week had not continued as less than 8% of residents who were allowed to access the site subsequently applied for a permit. She also advised that the site did not have broadband facilities currently which prevented issue at site currently. While the trial was in place congestion had been caused on the access road by residents queuing to get onto the site and that safety of the site was paramount. Julie Rogers stated complaints were not being received and where Councillors are receiving complaints they should encourage residents to use the Council’s complaints procedure. She advised that the site license was at risk if the Council continued to allow abuse of the site by trade and the Council must do all they can to protect it. The current turnaround on permits was seven days, she acknowledged the frustration for residents and advised the team were doing all they can to reduce the timescales involved and are focussed on an automated solution as soon as possible.

Julie Rogers stated the installation of the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

Julie Rogers, Director of Environment and Highways, referred Members to the report and updated them on the current position on recycling rates and stated that Thurrock Council, like other local authorities in the United Kingdom, had experienced a decline in levels of recycling. With the key focus of activity being a dedicated communication and education programme. Julie Rogers stated that the key approach for the coming year would be to continue to increase recycling rates with all the challenges she outlined and improve the quality of dry recycling materials, be addressing contamination.

The Chair thanked Julie Rogers for the report.

Councillor Sheridan stated the sticker idea was good and it was great to see that schools were getting involved. Councillor Sheridan observed that the current stickers on bins had worn out and asked whether these could be replaced. That the Council should be more aware when distributing rubbish sacks to local forums that these were recyclable waste sacks.

Councillor Rigby questioned how contamination was detected. Julie Rogers stated that generally the crew would lift the bin lid and identify if contamination was evident.  Where contaminated bins were identified these bins would be locked out. Julie Rogers stated that work with the communications team was taking place to better inform residents of the key contaminates and educate residents as to the appropriate bins for these items.

Councillor Fletcher stated the Council should follow their own rules and provide recyclable waste sacks to local forums, groups and businesses. Those local businesses were confused and required clearer guidance on how best to recycle and asked whether these forums could help to educate residents. Julie Rogers stated a trial to test clear sided euro bins was underway, particularly in communal areas. These could be also used as an educational tool and filled with contaminated items to demonstrate to such forums and was happy to commit to attendance at forums to educate and encourage recycling.

Councillor Abbas questioned whether Julie Rogers believed the national target of 50% of all household waste to be recycled reused and composted was achievable. Julie Rogers stated that where she had worked previously the authority was the worst nationally for recycling at 11%, through a complete change of collection to fortnightly collections and a paid for garden waste service, in year one they increased to 45% and currently sit comfortably at 55%.  Therefore the figure could be achieved but it would depend on appetite for change.

Councillor Abbas asked whether the bin stickers could identify the contaminated items. Julie Rogers stated a balance had to be made to ensure that the Key Performance Indicators for collection were still being met, crews adding stickers to bins and identifying contaminated items could slow the collection process.

Councillor Maney questioned whether a breakdown list of each ward in the borough could be provided that would identify the worst contaminated areas. Julie Rogers stated that currently the days of the week identified the worst contaminated areas. With the introduction of the PDA system this  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

The Chair asked Members if there were any items to be added or discussed for the work programme for the 2018-19 municipal year.

The Chair requested that an update report on the Community Safety Partnership be added to the 4 October 2018 Committee.

The Chair requested that a report on Anti-Social Behaviour and Gang Related Violence be added to the 4 October 2018 committee.

The Chair requested that an update report on Recycling to include Brown Bin Review be added to the 7 February 2019 committee.

The Chair requested that a report on the Bartec System be added to the 7 February 2019 committee.

Councillor Abbas requested that a report on Fly Tipping in Thurrock be presented.

Councillor Rigby requested that a report on Air Pollution be presented.

The Chair requested that a report on Refuse Collections be presented.

The Chair requested that a report on Ground Maintenance and Street Cleansing, to include Keep Britain Tidy, be presented.

Councillor Maney requested that a report on Parking on Verges be presented. Julie Rogers stated this item may fall under the Planning Transport and Regeneration Overview and Scrutiny Committee and would advise Members at the next committee.

RESOLVED

1.         That the item Community Safety Partnership be added to the 4 October 2018 Committee.

2.         That the item Anti-Social Behaviour and Gang Related Violence be added to the 4 October 2018 committee.

3.         That the item Fly Tipping in Thurrock be added to the 6 December 2018 committee.

4.         That the item Air Pollution be added to the 6 December 2018 committee.

5.         That the item Ground Maintenance and Street Cleansing, to include Keep Britain Tidy, be added to the 6 December 2018 committee.

6.         That the item Refuse Collections be added to the 7 February 2019 committee.

7.         That the item Recycling to include Brown Bin Review be added to the 7 February 2019 committee.

8.         That the item Bartec System Update be added to the 7 February 2019 committee.