Adrian Russell, Service Director, Environmental Services will give a presentation on the Environmental Services work that has been carried out in the Aylestone Ward and will invite suggestions for the 10,000 trees project.
Minutes:
Adrian Russell, gave a presentation on the work that Environmental Services had carried out in the Aylestone Ward between January and June 2008. A newsletter was also distributed to everyone present, which provided supporting information to the presentation.
Adrian explained that Environmental Services were responsible for a variety of different services, which included the following:
The city achieved a waste composting and recycling rate of 33% in 2007/08, which was an improvement on 2006/07 (27%). The target was 40%, and help from City residents was needed to achieve this. If anyone wanted a replacement green box, or a copy of the Green Guide to Waste and Recycling they were asked to telephone 0116 252 7002. Adrian mentioned that the number of reported missed collections of bins, in Aylestone were less than the city-wide average, and added that where missed bins were reported, the aim was for them to be emptied the next working day.
Adrian reminded everyone that the Council offered a “Five for Free” collection of bulky waste and there were also two community recycling centres.
This service dealt with various issues including fly tipping and graffiti removal. Adrian explained that the number of fly tipping incidents at 25, were less than the city-wide average of 73. However Adrian showed a picture of one incident in Disraeli Street, where approximately 80 tyres were dumped. It was explained that the Council did try to find and prosecute offenders of such enviro-crimes.
Adrian explained that a new service had been provided in removing graffiti from Cable Boxes. These were the responsibility of Virgin Media, but they had paid the Council a fee to paint over all the boxes located in the city. It was likely that this figure would be re-negotiated at a later date, when it was known exactly how many cable boxes there were. However, the meeting heard that a total of 1116 boxes were painted during the month of June and July alone.
A service was provided 7 days a week (including the evenings). Noise control was one of the busiest services, with domestic noise proving to be one of the most common problems. The Team had received over 1,000 complaints during the 6 months from January to June 2008 and each complaint could typically take 3 or 4 visits from Officers to resolve.
Adrian explained that 20 businesses in Aylestone were inspected and examples were given of premises with the best standards of food safety. Adrian explained that after an inspection, premises were given a smile safe certificate to display, and whereas all premises were welcome to display their award, it was usual that only the top rated premises actually did so. If members of the public could not see a smile safe certificate at their takeaway etc, they were invited to check out their rating by logging onto the Council’s website as follows: www.leicester.gov.uk/smilesafe
Adrian also explained that there was a new street trading policy, which came into operation from 27 August 2008. From then, anyone who wanted to sell fast food from mobile vans would need a licence, and there was a presumption against granting licences for street trading, especially outside schools. Ice cream vans were an exception to this rule, but these were only permitted to trade outside schools at the end of the day.
Adrian explained that this section dealt with building safety and added that they had received just over 100 calls during the first 6 months of the year. An example was given of a dangerous wall in Leeson Street/Duncan Road and the meeting heard that in such cases, notice was given to the owner to make the structure safe, but if necessary the Council would undertake the necessary repairs and then re-charge the owner.
Building Control was especially busy after the earth tremor earlier this year, where there was damage to buildings that had been poorly maintained.
The meeting heard that Aylestone Hall Gardens had retained its Green Flag Award for a further year.
Adrian reminded everyone of the 10,000 Trees Project. 1500 trees had already been planted and suggestions were invited for ideas for locatiaons for the remaining 8500 trees. People were asked to talk to Brian Stafford in the information fair, at the end of the meeting.
Members of the public then raised the following questions with Adrian, or made the following points.
Adrian explained that the Council were confident that the newspapers had not originated from the City Council, as the Council did not send any of its waste abroad. In addition, any paper that was put into wheely bins did not go into Landfill.
Adrian explained that any food waste and garden waste was extracted at the ball mill and then made into compost.
The meeting heard that only good quality plastics could be recycled; other plastics had to go into the wheely bins.
It was explained that the Council had been piloting a scheme in Jarrom Street, where fines were issued to residents who left their bins out. The City-Wide Wardens would be commencing duties very soon and they would be dealing with matters such as this.
Adrian was thanked for his presentation.