Agenda and minutes

None.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the above meeting, having been circulated, be approved as a correct record.

None.

Report of the Democratic Services Officer.

Councillor Lawrence welcomed Mark Hurst, Service Manager Transport and Waste and Mike Hill, Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Finance,  and informed members of the committee that this item would be first on the agenda.

Mark Hurst discussed questions identified in advance of the meeting.

·         Members were informed that bin lids were lifted for contamination and should any be found a sticker placed on the bin requesting that the contamination be removed with a contact number to ring for collection when this had been done. If contamination is further down the bin there is little that can be done.

·         The relationship with Veolia is in its early days for the new management team. Veolia supplied two members of staff to walk in front of the refuse crews in both Ashfield and Mansfield to inspect recycling bins and speak to residents regarding contamination. Limited funding has not enabled this in Gedling.  Gedling Borough  does not have a contractual relationship with Veolia as such, it is a contract arranged and managed by Nottinghamshire County Council and  they have due regard for value for money, new ideas and business continuity.

• Innovative ideas for a more efficient, smarter and effective service include 

o    Use of simple vehicle signage to highlight the removal of contaminates from the recycling bin i.e. food waste, nappies, plastic bags, textiles and glass.

o    Updating policies and procedures for waste collection into one document, which would include the policy for addressing bins on streets.

o    Digitalisation of the service with the introduction of Wi-Fi in the depot, 3G on vehicle cameras to enable live footage to be viewed and the utilisation of electronic forms for vehicle servicing/repairs and taxi inspections.

·         Directions for bin use, bin colours and collection schedules are highlighted on the bin collection calendar; Gedling is constrained by the literature issued by the County Council and Veolia.  Visual displays on the side of vehicles can be of great assistance.

·         The problem of bins left on streets has been a long standing issue.  There have been discussions with neighbourhood wardens following complaints received, from a waste point of view and with PASC due to obstructions for the street sweepers. We are not in a position to enforce or issue any fixed penalties. The wardens do however try and engage with residents where possible to explain the problem. In addition if a problem is reported to customer services a letter is sent out to the resident to try and resolve the problem. 

·         1350 people have signed up for bin collection reminders and residents were informed about National Recycling Week by Facebook.

During discussion the members of the committee raised the following points:

·         Bins in car parks and other areas are causing problems in Netherfield.  Mark Hurst was not aware of this and has agreed to meet Councillor Miller to discuss this problem

·         There is a need for more education about what, and how, to recycle

·         The type of plastic that can be recycled is very confusing.  The new bin  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

Report of the Democratic Services Officer

PROGRAMME OF PORTFOLLIO HOLDER ATTENDANCE

The committee welcomed Councillor Henry Wheeler, Portfolio Holder for Health, Housing and Wellbeing to discuss a range of issues relating to his area of responsibility.  Dave Wakelin, Director of Health and Community Wellbeing also attended the meeting.

Councillor Wheeler explained briefly the areas of responsibility in his Portfolio, gave a presentation and discussed questions identified in advance of the meeting.

The Playing Pitch Strategy has been moving forward; Arnold 3G pitches were handed over to the school/leisure Centre on Friday 6^th October 2107 and officially launched in October 2017.  Since the handover, and launch, a significant programme of use has developed and a winter programme is now in place, this includes Arnold Town and Gedling Southbank FC utilising the pitch for match play and training, advanced coaching centre sessions and a youth diversionary session for young people who attend Redhill Youth Club. Weekday use is currently at 56%, at peak time and 82% (6 – 9pm); this does not include additional casual bookings.

The Carlton le Willows Academy 3Gproposals are progressing, Gedling Borough and Nottinghamshire County Council are offering match funding to support a Football Foundation bid for a new 3G facility.  The Academy is currently working with Nottinghamshire FA to build an application to the Foundation for the shortfall of the funding required to complete the project.

A number of regular activities that take place across the borough have been developed and supported by the Council to increase participation in sport and physical activities including:

·         The StreetGames doorstep sport programmes,  sessions in Redhill and Netherfield, and StreetGames Club 1 initiative using leisure centres, initially in Calverton

·         The Get Going in Gedling walking scheme

·         Park runs

·         DNA Health

·         Support and promotion for local community sports clubs

·         coaching sessions at Redhill and football sessions linked to Redhill Youth Club, In association with Nottingham Forest Community Truest

Health inequalities are addressed across the borough by the Health and Wellbeing Delivery Group working with partners, sharing updates, good practice and ideas on projects and initiatives.  This includes work with the NNECCG, Notts. County Council Public Health and Change Point.  The Authority assists a range of support groups to address mental health, loneliness, social isolation and other long term health conditions.   The Breast Feeding Friendly initiative is supported and there are 20 locations in Gedling with Breast Feeding Friendly accreditation. National campaigns are backed, a recent example of this is as part of National Older Peoples Day a ‘Get up and Go’ event was delivered at Carlton Forum.  The Council has been delivering the Bestwood Village Healthy Communities programme in partnership with the local community.  This has included development of Bestwood Country Park parkrun, dementia friends training and a new autism support group for local parents.

Gedling is committed to work with and promote measures which tackle excessive weight and promote healthy lifestyles. Working with, and promoting, ChangePoint, the County Council commissioned Obesity and Weight management service, supporting Sugar Awareness week, promoting the healthy lifestyle message in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

Report of the Director of Organisational Development and Democratic Services.      

This item was removed from the agenda and will be included in a future committee agenda.

Report of the Democratic Services Officer.

COMPLETED SCRUTINY REVIEWS

·         Elderly Person’s Working Group

The responses to the recommendations arising from the working group were discussed.  All the recommendations were accepted or partially accepted and a six month update on the progress of implementing the recommendations was requested.  Members asked for additional information regarding safeguarding training for hotel staff.

·         The Obesity Working Group

The Leisure Services six month progress report on the implementation of agreed recommendations made by the report was discussed. Members were disappointed by the lack of progress regarding the implementation of healthier foods in leisure centres but considered that this was something that could be addressed by the Leisure Transformation project.

INFORMATION UPDATES FROM PREVIOUS COMMITTEES

·         The Armed Forces Community Covenant

Members discussed and noted the additional information provided.

·         Coordination of grass cutting and litter picks.

Members requested additional information about how coordination of County Council verge mowing and Gedling litter picking has been addressed.

·         Coordination of litter picks and litter on football pitches.

Members noted the additional information and asked for a copy of the letter sent to football teams and any responses received to be available at the next Committee.

SCRUTINY REVIEWS 2017/2018

·         Gedling Councillor Standard

Members were informed this would be starting shortly.

·         Improving the effectiveness of scrutiny

Members were updated on progress of the review and the draft scope that had been developed.

·         Promoting Transparency of the Council

After discussion it was decided that the three Members who had agreed to be involved in the working group would meet and develop a draft scope, for discussion at the next Committee.  Related to this item Members raised the problem of the poor quality of the microphones in the Council Chamber.

EAST MIDLANDS SCRUTINY NETWORK

Councillor Lawrence invited members of the Committee to the Network meeting on the 1^st September.

RESOLVED to:

·         Note the information regarding the completed scrutiny reviews.

·         Request additional information relating to litter issues.

·         Note the information relating to scrutiny working groups.

·         Circulate information regarding the Scrutiny Network.

Report of the Democratic Services Officer.

Members considered a report, which had been circulated in advance of the meeting, which included information on items referred to the Chair as required by the Constitution.

None.