Agenda item

This report provides Members with update information on the implementation of recommendations made as a result of previously completed scrutiny reviews on Recycling and Reuse and City Centre Retailing.

Members received a report with update information on the implementation of recommendations made as a result of previously completed scrutiny reviews on Recycling and Re-use, and City Centre Retailing.

The review of Recycling and Re-use had been completed in September 2006 and Members of SMC had signed off many of the recommendations already.  Annex A to the report provided an update on those that were still outstanding.

The review of City Centre Retailing had been completed in June 2004 and Members of SMC had also signed off many of the recommendations already.  Annex B to the report provided an update on those that were still outstanding.

Members were asked to consider signing off those recommendations where implementation had been completed or to request further updates to clarify any outstanding recommendations.

Officers gave an update on the work that had been carried out to implement the recommendations:

Recycling and Re-use Review

Recommendation 2:Trials of various types of containers were taking place.  The next phase would be to source a collection vehicle that was suitable for use in narrow streets.  Subject to funding being available, the department was on course to achieve the government target of at least two materials being collected kerbside by 2010.

Recommendation 3:A report had been considered by EMAP on the issue of paying re-use credits.  Such a system would be challenging and costly to implement.  Members suggested that there was a need for the York Furniture Re-use Store to be better advertised and promoted. 

Recommendation 4:Consideration had been given to paying re-use credits for the Bike Rescue Project.  However, such an arrangement would have proved difficult, as it would have been necessary to demonstrate that the items had been presented to the Council as waste.  In most circumstances the bikes were given directly to the Bike Rescue Project.  The Council therefore supported the project in other ways, including a discount in business rates.  

Recommendation 5:Cross-corporate work was continuing to ensure benefit from potential funding opportunities.  This was included within the Waste Minimising Strategy.

City Centre Retailing Review

Recommendation 15:   Map panels had now been updated and interactive screens were in place around the city.  The new Visitor Information Centre was scheduled to open in May.

Members suggested that the following issues be explored:

·        The possibility of renaming the Shambles Car Park as its present name did not reflect its location and was confusing to some visitors.

·        The feasibility of using corporate montages to cover empty premises.

·        Investigation as to the purposes for which the electronic information panels were being used.

RESOLVED:            (i)            That the contents of the report be noted.

(ii)               That the following recommendations be signed-off as they had been fully implemented:

·        Recommendation 4 of the Recycling and Re-use Review

·        Recommendation 5 of the Recycling and Re-use Review

·        Recommendation 15 of the City Centre Retailing Review

(iii)             That Members noted the work completed to date in implementing the following recommendations but were not satisfied that they could be signed-off as complete¹:

·        Recommendation 2 of the Recycling and Re-use Review

·        Recommendation 3 of the Recycling and Re-use Review

REASON:      To raise awareness of those recommendations which had still to be implemented.