Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors H Davenport and M Hardy.

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 24 March 2016

Consideration was given to the minutes of the meeting held on 24 March 2016

RESOLVED

That the minutes be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman

To provide an opportunity for Members and Officers to declare any disclosable pecuniary and non-pecuniary interests in any item on the agenda.

There were no declarations of interest

To provide an opportunity for Members to declare the existence of a party whip in relation to any item on the agenda

There were no whipping declarations

A total period of 15 minutes is allocated for members of the public to make a statement(s) on any matter that falls within the remit of the Committee.

Individual members of the public may speak for up to 5 minutes, but the Chairman will decide how the period of time allocated for public speaking will be apportioned, where there are a number of speakers.

Note: In order for officers to undertake any background research, it would be helpful if members of the public contacted the Scrutiny officer listed at the foot of the agenda, at least one working day before the meeting to provide brief details of the matter to be covered.

Mr B Jackson attended the meeting and spoke in respect of fly tipping problems in Crewe. He acknowledged the efforts being made to address the problem, however expressed his disappointment at the length of time it had taken to see any improvements. Mr Jackson suggested that houses of multiple occupancy added to the problem, which needed to be addressed.

To receive a progress report of the Fly Tipping Task and Finish Group

Councillor Mannion, Chairman of the Task and Finish Group updated the Committee on the work of the group so far, informing members that the group had interviewed the Portfolio Holder, Ansa and the Environmental Wardens, visited the hot spots in Crewe and met with representatives from Halton Borough Council.

Since the Task and Finish group was established, it had been acknowledged by the Council that the current situation was unsustainable. Therefore a 12 month pilot scheme had been approved to employ 2 additional wardens in the Crewe area to concentrate on education and enforcement. The group intended to monitor the success of the pilot scheme over the next 12 months and make recommendations accordingly.

It was noted that in addition to the Councils own Environmental Wardens, the Council intended to procure a private enforcement company to deal with fly tipping, litter and dog fouling across the borough. The contact was currently going through a procurement process, which would be implemented on 1 September 2016 and reviewed after 12 months.

Councillor Mannion highlighted that as the majority of the task groups concerns had been addressed by the portfolio holder throughout the review, the group would like to amend its terms of reference to monitor the impact of the appointment of the two additional environment wardens and the procurement of an external enforcement company.

The Committee agreed that houses of multiple occupancy (HMO’s) were a major source for fly tipping and agreed to request that the Jobs Regeneration and Assets Overview and Scrutiny Committee look into the registration of HMO’s.

RESOLVED

1.    That the terms of reference of the task and finish group be amended to monitor the impact of the appointment of the additional environmental  wardens and procurement of an external enforcement company.

2.    That the task and finish group report back in 12 months.

3.    That the Jobs, Regeneration and Assets Overview and Scrutiny Committee be requested to look into the registration of HMO’s.

To receive a presentation on the highways service and its performance

The Committee received a presentation on the highway service contract performance which updated Members on the health and safety record, revenue activity for 2016/17, capital activities for 2016/17, BS11000 Accreditation and BSI ISO 55001 Accreditation, performance management KPI’s, third party claims, customer satisfaction, events and engagement and the current focus.

P Traynor reported that the revenue spend was slightly over due to recent flooding events, he highlighted that the flooding was not caused by blocked gullies but due to the fact the gullies could not cope with the unusually high levels of rainfall. It was agreed that the cleansing rota would be circulated to the Committee.

It was agreed that the Committee would like to be involved in the re-procurement of the  Highway Service Contract which was due in October 2018.

RESOLVED

1.    That the performance update be received

2.    That the committee be involved in the re-procurement of the Highways Service Contract.

To give consideration to the areas of the forward plan which fall within the remit of the Committee.

Consideration was given to the extracts of the forward plan which fell within the remit of the Committee.

RESOLVED

That the forward plan be received.

To give consideration to the work programme

Consideration was given to the work programme. It was agreed that the following issue should be added to the work programme for 2016/17

·         Bus service routes review (to include arrangements for the GHA contract)

·         Update on capital programme of major works.

·         Car Parking Strategy – to include residents parking schemes and on street parking.

RESOLVED

That the work programme be amended to reflect the above issues.