Issue - meetings

This report sets out a series of proposals to improve standards of cleanliness across the city.  

Resolved:  That the proposals set out in paragraphs 15, 19, 26, 31, 38 and 43 in the report be approved with the following additions to paragraphs 15 and 43:

                   Paragraph 15

(vi)              That discussions be taken on improving the systems for collecting commercial waste.

Paragraph 43

(ii)     That a meeting is scheduled for the public and councillors to be given the opportunity to be involved in the development of the new reporting systems.

Reason: To ensure that best use is made of the available resources for street cleansing activities.

The Executive Member considered a report that set out a series of

proposals to improve standards of cleanliness across the city.

The Executive Member stated that the unachieved savings agreed by the previous Cabinet were being considered and although these could create difficulties when moving forward work was ongoing to improve the situation.

The proposals set out in paragraphs 15, 19, 26, 31, 38 and 43 of the report were discussed and in answer to the Executive Members questions it was noted that:

? ward/parish councils would be given the opportunity to purchase

additional bins with the capital costs to be compensated by the council’s capital programme but the ongoing emptying costs would have to be funded by the ward/parish.

? the report did not propose any changes to the basic standard that the council provided so for that reason it would not offer the potential to double taxation.

? the frequency of emptying the bins could be discussed with ward

committees.

? the rapid response service would continue to operate between

7:30am and 3:00pm.

? the large mechanical sweeper service was being modified and a

number of visits would be reduced to allow it to drive more slowly to improve the standard of cleanliness.

? Hammerheads would be cleaned manually and mechanically to improve cleanliness across the city.

? a pedestrian controlled mechanical sweeper had been purchased to improve cleanliness standards across the city centre.

? further discussions with the Business Improvement District team

would take place regarding a more coordinated way commercial waste could be collected from the city centre.

? the existing small red dog bins were, in some locations,  insufficient for the demands and problems also occurred when other waste was placed inside them.

? the previous litter bins were made of fibre glass, were unrepairable and were disposed off.

? full Edinburgh bins were no longer manufactured so where applicable a new combined dog waste and litter bin would be used.

? wards could volunteer to receive one of the Solar Powered Litter bins in order to replace at least one existing bin.

? teams from Public Realm, Neighbourhood Enforcement, Community Engagement and Waste Services all worked closely together and met on a monthly basis to share information and discuss hotspots.

? a campaign was being organised called ‘Clean for the Queen’ and would take place in March running along side the annual big Spring Clean campaign.

? City of York Council’s based standards for street cleanliness were already set but ward committees could use their volunteer groups to increase standards.

? the Environment Team could facilitate and support the volunteer teams by providing equipment and health and safety guidance.

The Executive Member suggested officers coordinate a meeting that would allow the public and councillors the opportunity to be involved in the development of the new Customer Relationship Management system. He also proposed that the new style dog/litters bins should be advertised and he asked officers to inform all ward committees of the changes and proposals agreed.¹

Resolved:

(i)      That the proposals set out in paragraphs 15, 19,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 21