Agenda and minutes

The committee noted the minutes.

Members were provided with background information on the Third Sector Community Transport organisations operating in the Neath Port Talbot area, as detailed in the circulated report

Members asked whether there were two volunteers as there was an error in the report. Officers confirmed that there was a misspelling and it was meant to read two volunteers.

Members highlighted that the main element of community transport are volunteers, and therefore asked what encouragement is being offered. Officers advised that they are actively trying to get volunteers through advertisement, however people aren’t responding.

Members questioned how often the mobility scooters are in usage. Officers highlighted that membership had dropped due to not particularly great summers, especially in Neath as there is no undercover like in Port Talbot shopping centre. Officers highlighted that they would provide members with the data

Following scrutiny, it was agreed that the report be noted.

Member’s praised officers for their report and confirmed that they were satisfied with the information that was provided and therefore noted the report.

The Committee scrutinised the following matters.

Cabinet Board Proposals

4.1     Street Scene and Engineering Performance Indicators for Quarter 4 of 2017/18

Members received information on the quarter 4 performance management data for the period 1st April to 31st March 2018 for Environment, as detailed in the circulated report.

Members questioned why the calculation of the Transport and Highways Performance Indicator had been temporarily suspended. Officers highlighted that they were unsure, however reassured members that they would look in to it and provide an update.

4.2     Waste Strategy Update

Members were informed of the Council’s waste strategy with a view to meeting the next statutory ‘recycling’ target of 64% in 2019/20 and continuing to make progress towards the 70% target in 2024/25.

Members highlighted that there was only 6% difference between the recycling targets for 2019/20 and 2024/25 and asked why was this percentage was so low. Officers highlighted that the majority of the easy to achieve changes to encourage recycling had been achieved and that to achieve increased recycling rates / participation has become more difficult therefore the 6% may seem low, however, it is a big increase to achieve.

Members asked officers to confirm how the tailored vehicles for the roll out of Recycle+ system would work. Officers highlighted that the vehicles are to be used for primarily for farms and rear lanes throughout the county borough. This will result in all domestic properties in Neath Port Talbot being on the same Recycle+ system.

Members queried whether one truck collects all waste. Officers confirmed that there are separate vehicles. One collects residual wheelie bin / black bag and green waste whilst the other collects the recycling.

Members asked whether those vehicles work together, at the same time. Officers highlighted that both are in the same area on the same day but not necessarily at the same time.

Members asked whether the vehicles that are used could have a weighing system installed to calculate the amount of weight of each compartment on the recycling trucks. Officers highlighted that they were unsure, however could make enquiries to the manufactures around specification.

Members asked what systems are in place to audit residents recycling waste. Officers highlighted that participation surveys have been carried out and that staff report back on homes that present large quantities of waste.

Members questioned officers on how they encourage other organisations such as Tai Tarian and Coastal to inspire their residents too recycle. Officers highlighted that they currently work in partnership with Coastal Housing through enforcement officers and that approaches have been made to Tai Tarian who have not yet taken up that offer.

Members highlighted whether Green waste could be collected weekly during the summer. It was noted that this was also raised last year. Officers highlighted green waste is currently collected in a separate compartment of the refuse vehicles and that with the current budget restraints it would not be achievable to change this.

Members raised concerns as during the summer months the Green waste starts  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

Members noted the Scrutiny forward work programme.