Agenda item

The Committee chose to scrutinise the following Cabinet Board items:

 

Combined Highways and Neighbourhood Works Programme 2019/2020

 

The Committee received information in relation to the Combined Highways and Neighbourhood Works Programme 2019/2020, as contained in the circulated report.

 

Officers agreed to look at producing a list/map of planned works included in the 2019/20 Works Programme in advance of Member Surgeries.

 

Following scrutiny the Committee was supportive of the proposal to be considered by Cabinet Board.

 

New Fixed Penalty Notice in respect of Fly Tipping

 

The Committee received information in relation to the introduction of a new Fixed Penalty Notice under the “Household Waste Duty of Care Regulations (Wales) 2019”.

 

It was emphasised that it was the duty of the householder of any domestic property to dispose of waste through an authorised person or a person with authorised transport.  If they fail to comply an authorised officer could serve a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) on householders.

 

Members discussed how Officers would identify waste if it was found in a lane with numerous houses.  Officers explained that there had to be evidence, and that in some areas the only way to find this evidence was to go through the waste.  It was noted that three additional Enforcement Officers had been hired.

 

Members questioned the procedure to request a permit.  Officers explained that there was a permit for trade and an exemption scheme for people with additional recyclable waste.  The permits could be obtained on-line or requested over the telephone.

 

Officers explained that waste was disposed of using authorised transport, a “Duty of Care” Notice was available from the collector, this would show waste was being disposed of properly. The same applied with skips.

 

Members asked what was the definition of a “small scale fly tip”, Officers clarified that there were guidelines available on the Neath Port Talbot web site, it was added that this was also an element of judgement by the Enforcement Officers.

 

Members queried whether fly tipping had increased since the change in side waste restrictions.  Officers stated that as this was only implemented on 1 April, 2019 there had not been sufficient time for consistent measures, it was agreed that this would be timetabled in the Forward Work Programme and a report would be brought back to Committee.

 

Officers informed the Committee that information regarding side waste reduction and fly tipping was available on Neath Port Talbot web site and Facebook pages. It was added that Officers were currently working with a TV Company on an information film.  It was agreed that it was about getting the message out to the public and it was agreed that information could be put into the leaflets sent to every household regarding waste collection over the Christmas period.

 

It was noted that a permit for waste collection was supplied by Natural Resources Wales, and that the Council did not see this permit.    Officers added that they worked in conjunction with the Police in stopping waste carriers, if they were are unable to supply a Certificate showing their permit to carry waste, vehicles could be seized.

 

Members raised concerns that some residents were not on-line to receive the relevant information.  It was agreed that information would be placed on the leaflet that was delivered to every household in Neath Port Talbot during the Christmas period.

 

Following scrutiny the Committee was supportive of the proposal to be considered by Cabinet Board.

 

Street Lighting Energy Saving Project

 

The Committee received an update from Officers on the Public Lighting Energy Saving Project.  It was highlighted that existing lights would be converted to more energy efficient LED lighting and that savings made by the Council would be long-term.  Officers added that the new lamps would have a central management system linking the information back to the office, this would enable the lighting to be controlled by staff.

 

It was noted that the Equality Impact Assessment Screening Form for Public Lighting, was tabled at the meeting.

 

Member questioned how the annual energy saving figure for the proposed project was calculated.  Officers explained that there was a detailed database with all lighting information, a matrix behind every street lamp and data could be used to calculate exact energy saving, they could also make a comparisons of how much they paid for energy.  Officers added that they were supported by a consultant paid for by Welsh Government.

 

It was emphasised that it was important to implement energy saving schemes due to the continual annual increases.

 

Officers informed the Committee that currently there were two pilot schemes using solar lamps, these were based in Skewen and Neath, Officers were monitoring their performance.

 

Following scrutiny the Committee was supportive of the proposal to be considered by Cabinet Board.