Minutes:
Adrian Russell, Service Director, Environmental Services gave a brief presentation outlining the work of the division.
During 2008 33.3% of the City’s waste had been recycled.
From the recent MORI Survey 80% of residents had expressed satisfaction with the refuse collection service but the department was still looking to improve on this. The department were in the process of looking at complaints received and of the causes of these complaints. At the beginning of 2008 the department were receiving some 65 complaints per week around refuse collection, this figure was now down to around 25 complaints per week.
Within Rushey Mead Ward incidences of fly-posting were higher than the City average, whereas incidences of fly-tipping, abandoned cars and discarded needles were lower than the City average.
To date 131 Cable Boxes had been re-painted in Rushey Mead Ward.
Regular street cleanliness inspections were carried out across the Ward and it was reported that all areas inspected were within the 90% - 100% satisfactory.
It was stated that, within the City Centre, there had been problems with ‘flyers’ from clubs and bars being scattered around the streets. The City Council had now adopted legal powers to allow only those premises with licences to distribute ‘flyers’, the problem had now since reduced drastically.
The Division were also responsible for regularly checking the 1250 taxis and 297 Private Hire vehicles in the City, and regularly under took spot checks. Adrian stated that all Black cabs were required to operate all journeys on meters within a 10mile radius of the City Centre, although there were reports that some did not. Any incidences of this happening should be reported to the Licensing Section.
Adrian stated that spot checks were made on retail premises that were licensed to sell alcohol to ascertain whether persons under the required age were being sold alcohol, and also whether illegal drinks were being dispensed at pubs and clubs, nine such premises had been found to be guilty. It was reported that Bargain Booze on Gipsy Lane had recently sold alcohol to persons under age and the case had been referred to the Council’s Licensing Committee for determination and this could lead to the loss of the liquor licence.
Pest Control cases were higher in Rushey Mead than the City average and a number of these cases centred around food being left out for birds. Officers were to investigate reasons for the complaints.
Noise nuisance was another area covered and there had recently been complaints of noise emanating from the 3 Kilns Public House, officers had visited the premises.
Adrian stated that officers had recently been aware of a gang that were being paid to dispose of worn vehicle tyres, but rather than dispose of them in the proper way they were just dumping them at the roadside. After some research the van was tracked and seized. The owner of the van opted not to reclaim it so the vehicle was crushed.
Officers had recently moved in quickly with the Police and stopped a ‘Mock Auction’ taking place in the City. At a ‘Mock Auction’ the public were invited to bid on certain items under the impression that they were bidding on quality goods, when in fact all they ended up with were low quality items and with no recourse to get their money back. No quality items had been found at the premises visited.
Adrian stated that, regarding the 10,000 trees project discussions had been taking place with certain City schools with a view to creating Community Orchards.
At this point several questions were asked by members of the public present. The questions and the respective responses are set out below: -
1) Following the appearance of graffiti on part of St.Gabriel’s Church the City Council’s Graffiti Team had been contacted and had stated that they would require high reach equipment to enable the graffiti to be removed. No further contact had been made for some while.
Response
Adrian stated that he would contact the Graffiti Team to get this graffiti cleaned.
2) The City Council no longer sited Community Skips in the street, what alternative arrangements were in place.
Response
Adrian stated that there had been numerous problems with the previous Community Skip scheme, hence it’s conclusion several years ago. The problems had been around the types of material being dumped in the skips that had included old paint and old engine oil and other substances that were difficult to extract and re-cycle.
The City Council now worked on the basis that households were allowed 5 free collections of bulky waste and the Councill received some 40,000 requests per year for this service, a figure higher than a lot of other Councils.
RESOLVED:
That the information be noted.