Issue - meetings

Report of the Democratic Services Manager

The Chief Executive presented a report, which had been circulated prior to the meeting, to present the report and recommendations of the working group that considered the issues surrounding Fly Tipping, Litter and Waste Management across the borough.

The Portfolio Holder for Environment Services made the following comments:

1. Contamination rates have gone down due to the introduction of more recycling facilities.
2. It was noted that the introduction of flexible plastics has had to be postponed due to the government not being able to find companies who can recycle plastic bags, but foil and some tetra paks can now be recycled.
3. It was noted that due to the pressures of work in the department that the pilot for food waste recycling had been put on hold, favouring the commencement of a borough wide implementation of a food waste recycling on October 27^th.
4. It was noted within the report, litter picking groups had to be put on hold due to pressures within the department, but they would like to see work to be undertaken to increase the number of those groups.

The Portfolio Holder for Climate Change, Parks and Environmental Health made the following comments:

1. Volunteer litter pickers are a huge help to the council and their communities.
2. Encouraged councillors to organise litter picking groups within their own communities and to promote the initiative in Full Council.

The Portfolio Holder for Lifestyles, Health and Wellbeing made the following comments:

1. Encouraging councillors to be proactive in keeping their communities being clean and tidy by organising litter picking groups.
2. Wanted to increase education around litter and in being responsible with their waste.

The Portfolio Holder for Life Chances and Vulnerability made comment:

1. Thanking the working group for the comprehensive report and recognised that officers noted that improvements need to be made in improving the reporting system around waste.

RESOLVED to:

1)    Consider the report and recommendations of the working group making comments where appropriate; and

2)    Provide a written response to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee within 28 days of receipt of the report.

Report of the Democratic Services Manager.

The Democratic Services Manager introduced a report, which had been circulated in advance of the meeting, presenting the final report and recommendations of the Fly Tipping, Litter and Waste Management working group, and to seek approval for its submission to Cabinet in September.

Members were advised that the report reflected the evidence gathered throughout the review and that the recommendations had been considered by the relevant officers to ensure that they were practical and deliverable. It was noted that the report before Members was the version intended for submission to Cabinet, should the Committee approve its recommendations.

The Chair then gave Members the opportunity to comment on the report.

Members welcomed the report and agreed that it reflected the evidence gathered throughout the review. During discussion, Members noted that dog fouling had been raised on a number of occasions during the review process and suggested that the communications recommendation should include a specific reference to dog fouling.

Members also discussed the recommendation relating to enforcement tools and CCTV. It was suggested that where recurring fly tipping hotspots were identified through repeated reports, a review should be undertaken to consider whether CCTV or other enforcement measures may be appropriate. Members acknowledged the operational, legal and financial constraints associated with CCTV deployment and noted that any review would need to be undertaken in accordance with the Council's existing processes.

The Chair placed on record her thanks to all officers, external partners and Members who had contributed to the review. Particular thanks were extended to the officers supporting the working group for facilitating the meetings, preparing the report and recommendations, and managing the hybrid meeting arrangements throughout the review.

It was proposed and seconded that the report be approved subject to:

·       the inclusion of a specific reference to dog fouling within Recommendation 1 (Communications); and

·       the inclusion of wording within Recommendation 9 (Enforcement Tools/CCTV) relating to the review of recurring fly tipping hotspots for potential CCTV consideration through existing Council processes.

RESOLVED to:

1)    Approve the report and recommendations of the Fly Tipping, Litter and Waste Management Working Group, subject to the above amendments; and

2)    Refer the report to Cabinet for consideration.