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The committee received a presentation from Councillor L. Hack, Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Neighbourhood Services, which outlined the work of the Council’s services operating from the depot site, and the considerations around these activities. This included notes on the Council’s responsibilities, structure of services, recent improvement projects, current focus and future challenges.
There was one advance question submitted, regarding the Council’s insurance provision for neighbourhood services activities, to which a response was provided. There was an opportunity for further questions and comments following the presentation.
Questions and comments related to:
• Fly-tipping and the increased incidence thereof. It was noted that the Council’s waste collection teams were responding to all identified incidents very quickly, but that items were sometimes briefly left in place while owners were identified, as part of the evidential process. It was noted that an increase in the use of CCTV at borough council recycling deposit sites was being considered to help address fly-tipping at those sites.
It was also noted that the reduction in service provided by local recycling centres was considered to be contributing to the increase in incidents, which was seemingly of greater magnitude than that anticipated by Surrey County Council (SCC); it was therefore noted that figures on the increased incident rate were recorded, and would be reported SCC for the council’s awareness.
The committee was assured that the Borough Council continued to provide information and a range of waste disposal and collection services to support residents to dispose of items correctly. It was also noted that related enforcement activities were publicised as part of the council’s communication activities.
• Channel-shift of resident communications re. Neighbourhood Services issues – i.e. reporting of missed bin collections. It was noted that online channels were now available for most Neighbourhood Services activities, where appropriate, and that uptake of these options by residents had increased significantly. The committee was assured that telephone support was still available for residents to support vulnerable users and where otherwise appropriate. It was noted that work to inform residents of the available reporting options was ongoing.
• Community Payback work in the borough. The committee was informed that resource requirements for supporting Community Payback activities in the borough had increased, as the council was now responsible for providing supervising officers. Committee members were informed that suggestions for Community Payback projects could be submitted to the Neighbourhood Services portfolio holder for consideration.
• Street sweeping and grass cutting around the borough. Committee members were informed that the 2017/18 leaf sweeping schedule was due to start on Monday 16 October, and that the leaf sweeping and grass cutting schedules would be made available for their reference. The frequency of road sweeping at different locations across the borough was noted. It was also noted that verge maintenance was scheduled to be undertaken seven times per year, and the Borough Council was currently absorbing the cost of cuts to supporting services by SCC.
• Waste collection fleet maintenance suggestions made at the previous meeting. These were noted to be being reviewed by the Refuse and Recycling team, and assessed with regard to the requirements of the fleet and the Council.
• Clinical waste collection. It was noted that the Council had received reports of some issues around this service, and that these had been raised with the contractor responsible. Health practitioners were also noted to have been reminded of their responsibilities in this area.
• The Narnia Nature Trail in Banstead Woods was noted to be proving very popular, following the Council’s recent communication campaign. The portfolio holder expressed their thanks to officers for their support.
• Road Closures for Remembrance Day. The committee was assured that the Council supported Remembrance Day events, where resources were available to do so. It was noted that an online form was available for requesting road closures for events.
• Green Spaces Team staffing arrangements. The committee was assured that staffing levels in the Green Spaces Team had not been reduced, but that there had been some changes to officer specialisations, and that a review and rebalancing process was underway. This was noted to have had some impact on the timings of some local management plans, but that this was being addressed.
• Multiple Green Waste Bin Use. The committee was informed that approximately a thousand households in the borough used more than one green waste bin, with some households using a greater number. It was noted that there was currently no limit of the number of additional bins which could be requested, although there was a charge for the service.
• Surrey County Council changes to refuse collection arrangements. A number of concerns were raised regarding proposals for changes to refuse collection arrangements from SCC. These were noted to include the potential for a joint collection service to include the borough, which would not separate materials for recycling or meaningfully recognise good performance. It was therefore noted that the Council was strongly opposed to the potential current proposals. It was noted that were SCC to adopt the approach used by the Borough Council, it was estimated that they could save approximately eight million pounds. Discussions on the topic were noted to be ongoing.
• The broader impact of Surrey County Councils cuts to funding of services. Concern was expressed regarding the potential impact of cuts to funding of a number of services carried out across the borough, such as verge and street tree maintenance. The committee was informed that the Council was aware of the situation and, as noted, was currently absorbing some resultant costs in order to maintain services for residents. It was noted that there was the potential for additional costs to be effectively passed on to the Borough Council, and that the situation was being monitored.
• Neighbourhood Services insurance arrangements (supplementary to the advance question submitted). The committee was informed that council officers endeavoured to identify any claims made to the insurance provider where there was a significant likelihood that an additional response from the Council would be appropriate. The Council was also noted to consider any complaints received regarding the service from the insurer. It was noted that unfortunately there might nonetheless be occasions where claimants were unsatisfied with the resolution of their claim, but that the Council was attentive to these instances, and was undertaking reasonable steps to support residents and claimants.
The Executive Member and Officers were thanked for the presentation.
RESOLVED that the portfolio holder briefing from Cllr L. Hack, Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Neighbourhood Services, and the advanced question be noted.
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