Agenda item

This report updates progress of the street scene pilot and provides background information for the Executive Member to consider the roll out of the new working practices to the rest of the city as a single exercise in Spring 2007.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member agrees that the new service should be rolled out as a single exercise, but excluding the City Centre.

Decision of the Executive Member

RESOLVED:             That the advice of the Advisory Panel be accepted and endorsed.

REASON:                  To provide an improved Street Cleaning service in the City.

Members considered a report that provided a detailed update on the progress of the street scene pilot and to provide background information for the Executive Member to consider the roll out of the new working practices to the rest of the city as a single exercise in spring of 2007.

Officers said that the objectives of the pilot were set out at paragraph 6 of the report and having tested everything they were now ready to roll the scheme out to the rest of the City (excluding the City centre).

Some Members queried whether staff were happy with the changes and said that there had been anecdotal evidence that suggested that they were not. Officers responded that there had been a series of meetings with the staff and there had been both positive and negative responses from them. They were now evaluating the feedback that they had received and were looking at allocating zones and jobs based on individual preference where possible. They were in the process of examining possible properties that could be used by the staff for comfort breaks.

The Chair asked if Neighbourhood Services had received any compliments from members of the public and the Officer responded that there had been lots and they were always fed back to the relevant member of staff.

Some Members were concerned that there was not enough detail in the report about the views of the staff on the scheme and more information was needed. The Officers said that they were significantly improving street cleansing services and they wanted to work with staff on all issues and wanted to make sure staff morale and motivation were high.

Officers mentioned that there had been a dedicated officer who continually monitored problems such as people leaving their rubbish bags out early or in the wrong place. Councillor B Watson raised a query regarding a letter that residents in Acomb had received concerning the correct procedures and places for putting out refuse; he said that the information contained in this was misleading. Councillor Watson was asked to speak to the Assistant Director – Environment at the end of the meeting who would then investigate this matter.

Both Councillors Potter and B Watson said that in principle they were happy with the recommendation but they felt that further information was required to make an informed decision regarding this scheme.

Members then considered the following options:

Option 1        Not to roll out to the remainder of the City.

Option 2        To roll out the new working arrangements gradually to the remainder of the City.

Option 3        To roll out the new working arrangements as a single exercise.

Option 4        To roll out the new working arrangements as a single exercise but to exclude the Guildhall City Centre (within the walls).

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Advisory Panel advise the Executive Member to thank Officers for delivering a successful pilot and agree that the new service should be rolled out as a singe exercise, but excluding the City Centre (within the walls) which has its own high quality service.

Decision of the Executive Member

RESOLVED:             That the advice of the Advisory Panel be accepted and endorsed.

REASON:                  To provide an improved Street Cleaning service in the City.