Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors G Barton and M Hardy

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 14 July 2016 as a correct record.

Consideration was give to the minutes of the meeting held on 14 July 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.

There were no members of the public present wishing to speak

To receive a presentation on the implementation and roll out of the 20mph speed limits outside schools.

The Committee gave consideration to an update on the 3 year programme to deliver 20mph advisory limits outside schools. In the first year 125 new signs and flashing units had been installed outside 50 schools and the feedback from schools had been positive.

During the consultation process, schools were offered the opportunity to meet with highway officers to discuss the details of the speed limit scheme and their specific requirements. The meetings resulted in the following outcomes:

·         An increase to the size of speed limit originally proposed and in some cases the installation of additional signs.

·         Setting the timings for the flashing lights to suit the individual needs of the schools.

·         Increase to the size of existing School Keep Clear markings.

Speed surveys had been carried out at 5 schools prior to the introduction of the 20 mph speed limits. The locations chosen represented a cross section of the different environments such as rural, urban, main roads and local roads. Further surveys would be carried out to determine whether or not there had been a reduction in speed. The total cost for year 1 was £260,000, as the original estimate was £296,000, a 12% saving had been made.

Installation of speed limits, new signs and flashing units for the 2^nd year programme would begin in October 2016 and be completed by January 2017.

The Committee agreed that a press release should be issued to highlight the good news story

RESOLVED

That the scheme be supported a press release be issued, highlighting the good news story.

To give consideration to the 1st quarter reports – to follow

 Consideration was given to the first quarter reports for Ansa and Orbitas. Overall the Environmental Services Commissioning budget was forecasting a £104,000 overspend for 2016/17 against a net £27.2m budget.

Ansa continued to successfully meet performance targets across all areas of work. Since the Ansa report was produced customer satisfaction data survey results had been released by the Council showing overall customer satisfaction for the waste service at 90 % having risen from its 2014 base line level of 75% prior to formation of Ansa.

There was a shortfall forecast in markets income for the year of £45,000. This primarily related to Macclesfield indoor and outdoor markets where trader occupancy levels continued to reduce for a variety of reasons. Some mitigation may be possible by way of small 'invest to save' works to refresh vacant units and reduced start up rent for newcomers.  Negotiations over the projected transfer of Crewe Markets to Crewe Town Council were continuing.

With regard to bin collections, It was highlighted that a neighbouring authority had recently conducted an audit of assisted pull outs, members requested details of how Ansa ensured it was not assisting with pull outs that were no longer required.

Members commended the improvement works at the parks, however suggested that maintenance standards around the edges and car parks could be improved.

Within Bereavement Services it was anticipated that there would be an  income shortfall of £48,000 for the year taking into account a number of variants throughout the year.  During the first quarter, Crewe Crematorium became fully operational from May 2016 after an extensive refurbishment programme, offset by a period of down time at Macclesfield Crematorium due to emergency replacement of the lining in June 2016.

The refurbishment works were now completed so a gradual recovery of business benefiting from the improved and more attractive facilities was anticipated.

Members agreed that that KPIs needed to be tightened and more customer focused. R Kemp highlighted that the KPI’s could not be altered until the contract was due for extension. He reported that In the meantime, Orbitas conducted it own benchmarking exercises thwhich could be shared with the Committee.

RESOLVED

1.    That the reports be received.

2.    That the Committee receive information on assisted bin pull outs.

3.    That Orbitas be requested to share its benchmarking statistics with the Committee.

To give consideration to the work programme

Consideration was given to the work programme. It was agreed that the following amendments would be made:

·         Results of Household Waste Centres Review be added to the work programme for November 2016.

·         TSSL performance report be considered at the meeting scheduled to be held in October 2016.

·         The implications of the buses bill be considered at the informal meeting scheduled to be held in December 2016.

RESOLVED

That the work programme be amended to reflect the items highlighted above.

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

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

RESOLVED

That the forward plan be received