Agenda item

The Head of Environmental Services submitted a report setting out the current performance of the Council’s main environmental management term contracts in relation to Waste Services (Refuse and Recycling, Street Cleaning) and Grounds Maintenance and initiatives which had been undertaken.  He explained that the environmental operations within these contracts included services which were of most concern to local residents.  The Head of Environmental Services stated that, generally, the contract had performed very well last year. 

The Waste Services Manager gave a presentation outlining the roles and responsibilities of both Veolia and John O’Connor, summarising the mains points of each contract in terms of performance, non-compliance and enforcement. 

In response to a query from Councillor K Crofton regarding fly tipping following a reduction in hours by Hertfordshire County Council at various recycling sites, the Head of Environmental Services stated that the figures showed that, overall, there had been a reduction in fly tipping last year.  However, whilst there had been a significant reduction of small quantities of fly tipping, there had been an increase in fly tipping of larger quantities.  These larger fly tips were not materials that business would be able to take to Household Recycling Waste Sites, and therefore, there was no apparent increase from the change in opening hours so far.

Councillor T Page thanked the Officers for the report and asked what the drivers were for improving the quality of service delivery for Grounds Maintenance.  The Head of Environmental Services explained that there were a range of measures of service delivery, one of which was the number of complaints received in relation to services.  Generally, the Grounds Maintenance Contract was performing well.  He further added that the quality of grounds maintenance provision was driven by the contract specification and that, if Members wanted to improve the quality of service, e.g., by an increase in grass cutting frequency or more flower beds, then a decision needed to be taken regarding further investment.

Councillor P Philips asked how recycling performance could be improved in the future.  The Waste Services Manager explained the approach to recycling by Three Rivers Council, which had a higher performance, and the constraints on East Herts regarding those residents who refused to recycle.  He referred to the importance of investment in services and of ongoing education to persuade those residents to recycle.

Councillor C Woodward welcomed the introduction of biannual conservation cuts.  In response to a query regarding contractors using apprenticeship schemes, the Head of Environmental Services confirmed that the Council’s contractors supported apprenticeship schemes and undertook to write to the Member with further information on the numbers employed.

In response to a query from Councillor K Brush regarding the Council’s approach to education in terms of a broader strategy, the Head of Environmental Services explained that there were different strategies regarding litter, street cleansing and waste recycling.  He stated that the Council had delivered a number of campaigns to encourage a change in behaviour on littering, e.g., working with Keep Britain Tidy on the “Which side of the Fence” campaign, which had involved not cleaning one side of a street in three town centres to raise awareness of the impact of littering.

In response to a query by Councillor P Ballam regarding enforcing penalties for those residents who refused to recycle and what could be done about abandoned cars, the Head of Environmental Services explained that East Herts policy was that it did not compel recycling nor did it enforce it.  He stated that some councils’ had introduced compulsory recycling and took enforcement action against those who allowed recycling materials in their refuse bins.  This was a route which the Council could adopt if it wished.  He provided an update regarding what the Council could now do in relation to abandoned cars.

In response to a query from Councillor M Freeman regarding litter on minor roads and rural areas, the Head of Environmental Services explained that rural areas were equally important but had less litter problems.   This was reflected in the legislation which dictated the speed at which local authorities must remove litter when it increased to a specified level.  He referred to the training given at the recent Member induction day.

Councillor K Crofton suggested that the approaches to recycling and those who contaminated their bins needed to be more rigorous.  He referred to the issue of dog fouling and what help could be given to Parish Councils on this issue.  The Head of Environmental Services undertook to speak to the Member further on this issue.

Councillor C Woodward referred to the work of volunteers in collecting and bagging fallen leaves and asked that a constructive relationship be developed between the Council and these helpers.

The Committee received the report.

RESOLVED – that the current performance of the Council’s main environmental management term contracts be received.