Councillor Watkins, Cabinet Member for Environment, introduced the report and stated that it had been an honour to present his first annual portfolio holder report and believed that the Clean It, Cut It, Fill It had made Thurrock a proud place for residents to live in.

Councillor Watkins updated Members on the services provided and the work undertaken and quoted the following achievements from the Clean It, Cut It.

9000 acres of grass had been cut

1000 tonnes of rubbish collected

2400 fines for littering

100 people prosecuted for not paying fines

70,801 tonnes of household waste collected

10,422,828 number of domestic bins collection per year

622 miles of road swept

Councillor Watkins stated that the weekly bin review had been introduced and   the commercial trade waste scheme will be introduced following Cabinet approval.

Councillor Watkins stated that he was proud with what the Council had achieved this year but more had to be done in 2018 and that it was important to get the services right first time.

Councillor Watkins thanked Senior Officers and the unsung heroes of the Environment Team for all their hard work.

Councillor Snell thanked the Portfolio Holder for his report and questioned what works were being undertaken on plain services such as ground maintenance of sports fields. Councillor Watkins stated that it had been identified that communications could be improved and that a specific email address was now available to report any issues and that a grounds maintenance action plan was now being put in place. With the winter maintenance work starting on cricket grounds to ensure they were ready for next year.

Councillor Gerrish thanked the Portfolio Holder for his report but stated the biggest concern was the poor performance of bin emptying on Thurrock’s streets. Councillor Watkins stated that the Council was working hard to get the targets met and that route optimisation had been highly effective. That investment had been made in purchasing further waste vehicles and that the Council were investing and making positive approaches.

Councillor Jones thanked the Portfolio Holder for his in-depth report and personally thanked Officers and crew members for all their hard work and although it was positive there was still some way to go. Councillor Jones questioned anti-social behaviour in parks and open spaces and how this was being addressed. Councillor Watkins stated that the Council was working with the Police on all issues raised by residents and that this work will continue.

Councillor Smith thanked the Portfolio Holder for his report and for his assistance with the failed bin collections in Aveley. Councillor Smith stated that tonnes of industrial waste had been dumped recently in Aveley and asked the Portfolio Holder what plans were in place to stop this happening in the future. Councillor Watkins stated he was working with Officers to address this area and that decisions from Cabinet and approval of planning application for the commercial trade waste scheme on the Linford Site were still awaited.

Councillor Watkins stated how impressed he was with the work already undertaken and thanked the Officers and teams again. That Members should contact him directly with any individual concerns and would be more than happy to attend site visits. Councillor Watkins wished Members a Merry Christmas.