Agenda and minutes

The Committee was presented with a report covering the topics Members requested an update on following their recent Streetscene and Engineering Forward Work Programme Workshop; those topics included waste and recycling, review of potential to extend the use of public space protection orders (PSPOs) and cemeteries.

Waste and Recycling

It was queried whether the bulk collection service could reinstate the second vehicle that was temporarily added to the service as there was currently a demand for bulk collection and the additional vehicle assisting could potentially decrease the issue of fly tipping. Officers stated that one vehicle had been adequate previously however due to the temporary suspension of the service between the months of March and May, there was a backlog of demand on the service that needed to be dealt with; the pressures on the service including dealing with Covid 19 related absences and the backlog of demand, meant that the service temporarily had extra crew assisting in the bulk collection. It was highlighted that before taking on more staff, vehicles and a permanent budget liability, the service needed to be certain of factors such as the income and covering services; this particular demand was identified as a short demand, therefore providing two vehicles wouldn’t currently be needed throughout the year. 

Detailed within the circulated report it stated that there had been an increase in demand of the recycling kit during the pandemic; Members asked if the Council had seen an increase in the figures for recycling because of this. It was noted that the kerbside collection was growing, for example last year the food waste grew by 600 tonnes; however there was a number of different materials that made up the Councils performance, and there were issues surrounding the recycling of these other materials, such as wood waste, which impacted on the performance levels. Officers added that the figures showed a mixture of both new kit being ordered and replacement kit being ordered.

In relation to Absorbent Hygiene Products (AHP), it was asked whether there was any links or systems in place with the Social Services Directorate and the Health Board. It was noted that the Council had a hygiene service in place for people with medical conditions who needed certain waste collected that wasn’t covered by the NHS collections; the service was prioritised and continued throughout the pandemic and further details of this could be found online. Officers confirmed that if there was a need to link with other services areas around this matter, they would be happy to do so.

The report mentioned that PACE interviews were taking place in the Civic Centres; Officers were asked to explain these in more detail. It was clarified that Police and Criminal Evidence (PACE) interviews were used to gather criminal evidence for cases where people were suspected of committing environmental crimes; there were facilities set up for these interviews, however due to the outbreak of Covid 19 these facilities were no longer safe to use. It was stated that this  ...  view the full minutes text for item 1a

Members noted the Streetscene and Engineering Scrutiny Forward Work Programme for 2020/21, which was populated by the Committee at their recent Forward Work Programme Workshop.

Members mentioned that some services such as enforcement and waste, would be much more effective if they were joined as this could encourage more linking within the community. It was confirmed that the Director of Environment And Regeneration (Nicola Pearce) had asked the Head of Streetcare (Mike Roberts) and the Head of Planning and Public Protection (Ceri Morris) to look at the interface between pest control and environmental health and decide whether those two elements should be brought together; these discussions were currently ongoing.

The Cabinet Forward Work Programme was provided to Members information purposes; the Forward Work Programme was noted.