Agenda and minutes

The Scrutiny Committee noted the minutes.

The Committee selected the following items for Scrutiny:

3.1    Household Waste Recycling Centre Opening Hours

Members considered a report that was a review of the changes to the opening hours of the Council’s Household Waste and Recycling Centres.

Members stated that they understood that there is a clear priority for the Council to meet recycling targets and the centres are a key part of the process. Members suggested that the revised opening hours are not meeting the need and demand to recycle. Officers stated that the revisions had been introduced to assist the Department in making savings as part of the Council’s Forward Financial Plan.

A question was asked on how many Fixed Penalty Notices had been issued in relation to fly tipping. Officers stated that notices are generally issued to small scale fly tipping and confirmed that during 2016/2017 43 cases were successfully pursued through the courts.

Information was requested as to who FCC Environmental were and what it cost the Council to have them manage the waste sites. Officers confirmed they were a private sector company that was paid approximately £1.2m which also covered the landfill tax payments.

Members suggested that there has been an increase in the cases of flytipping offices responded by stating that initially there had been an increase but this had now subsided.

Members requested that the officers review the opening hours and report back at a later date The Committee agreed that the review should consider three revised options that should include full costings:

a.   Open all sites between 10am and 6pm

b.   Open all sites between 8am and 6.30pm during the summer months

c.   One centre opens until 8pm on a rolling rota

Officers stated that there would be a full review of the waste strategy undertake in due course and all Member Seminars would be held in November 2017 and March 2018 that would highlight to Members the changes and would include a wide range of information including costings.

Following scrutiny the report was noted.

3.2 Review of Pest Control Fees and Charges

Members considered a report that sought agreement to increase the fees and charges in relation to the delivery of Pest Control to assist in the achievement of savings.

Officers advised that this was in relation to reducing subsidies rather than cutting services and Members should be aware that some Councils in Wales have ceased to offer this service.

Members stated that the 50% proposed rise in fees would result in more problems as residents would fail to report incidents because of the prohibitive cost.

An alternative recommendation was proposed for consideration by Members. It was suggested that the increase in price should be £8 (£15 for out of hours) for domestic requests and the outcomes would be reviewed after a 12 month period. It was agreed that the original price increase proposed for commercial organisations remains.

Following scrutiny the Committee agreed that the alternative recommendations be taken forward to Cabinet Board for consideration.

3.3 Streetscene and Engineering Performance  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.