Agenda item
Street Environment Update
An update from Andrew Williams, your Street Environment Officer on issues he has been tackling in the ward.
Minutes:
Andrew Williams (AW) gave an update on street environment issues in the ward. The following points were noted:
4.1 Forms are available for residents to take away and fill in to report any street environment issues they have.
4.2 The new Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC) permit scheme comes into operation on 9th February 2009. Residents who use a trailer or larger vehicle will need a permit to use the sites. Residents need to apply for the permits, 12 will be issued initially and these will be free of charge. Information leaflets and application forms were available for residents to take away.
4.3As part of a ‘community payback’ scheme, the Probation Service are providing help to clean up graffiti in the ward. Private properties are currently a problem as the council has no power to enforce that the owners clean off the graffiti. AW hopes that with the help of the Probation Service, the team will have the resources to clean it off with the permission of the owners.
Residents asked the following questions:
a) What is the point of the permit scheme?
Response was given that there has been increasing problems with illegal tipping of trade waste at HWRC’s. The permit system has been introduced to prevent abuse of the system.
b) What happens when people put trade waste in their household waste bin?
The refuse collectors would report it if it was obvious. If residents suspect anyone doing this they should report it on 551551.
c) Some of the side roads have been treacherous in the bad weather and have not been gritted, Mayfield Grove and Ainsty Grove in particular. Why haven’t these been gritted? A salt bin would be helpful in this area.
Response was given that the council has a set gritting route and it is not policy to grit side roads. The ward committee provide funding for salt bins, the ward team will look into placing one in this area.
d) During the replacement of Moor Lane railway bridge the walls are being replaced by metal panels. Is it right that we should loose the historical aspect of this bridge and will metal attract more graffiti? Is it possible to put a brick finish on the metal?
Response was given that Network Rail are responsible for the replacement of the bridge, these comments will be passed onto them. It is likely that graffiti will be easier to clean off metal than brick.
e) When is the bridge expected to be finished?
Response was given that the expected finish date is 1st March which is a couple of weeks later than originally expected.
f) Could plants or bushes be placed in areas where graffiti is a problem?
Response was given that the team are looking at many different ways to prevent graffiti. Cllr Tom Holvey suggested that a pot money from the ward committee budget for 2010-11 could be put aside to tackle graffiti.
g) Can something be done to clean up the graffiti on some of the trees on the Knavesmire?
Response was given that AW will go and have a look.
h) If we put ash from our coal fire on the pavement when it’s icy, would this be considered as litter?
Response was given that this would not be considered as litter but it must be swept up once the ice has melted.