Issue - meetings

The Head of Environmental Services submitted an annual report detailing the 2011/12 performance of the two main contracts for Waste Services (Refuse and Recycling and Street Cleansing) and Grounds Maintenance.

The Committee was advised that there had been a slight increase in the level of missed bins per 100,000 collections from 34.56 in 2010/11 to 36.80 in 2011/12.  Officers were not unduly concerned however, as this covered the peak period when the new contract had been introduced with vehicles and day round changes.  The figure was still within target and the contract was progressing very smoothly.

The Head of Environmental Services advised that the percentage of household waste recycled and composted had increased again slightly from 48.28% in 2010/11 to 48.35% in 2011/12, falling slightly below the expected target of 50%.  Members were advised that the economic downturn had had a negative effect on performance as the amount of material being recycled by residents had decreased as they were not buying as many newspapers, magazines.

Members were advised of a slight fall in commercial waste collection income although the Authority had maintained its customer base and continued to secure new customers.  The Head of Environmental Services stated that the performance of street cleansing had decreased slightly.  The East Herts performance was 1% for litter and 10% for detritus in 2010/11.  In 2011/12, litter had increased to 2.3% and detritus fell to 6.9%.

Members were reminded that East Herts had a very low level of litter problems compared to many local authority areas and the low percentages reflected this.  The Committee was also advised that there had been a significant decline in fly tipping due to increased.  The level of enforcement activity has contributed to this.

Councillor M Pope referred to the methodology used for measuring performance of street cleansing on major roads.  He also referred to how the Authority addressed the build up of rubbish on the smaller roads across the District.  The Head of Environmental Services undertook to respond to Councillor M Pope after the meeting.

Councillor D Andrews commented on whether Officers could update Members in respect of the current position regarding the treatment of weeds across East Herts.  The Head of Environmental Services undertook to respond to this query after the meeting.

Councillor J Wyllie expressed concern that on a number of occasions the grounds maintenance staff had cut some grass on a verge on his garden adjacent to his house in Bishop’s Stortford and in so doing had damaged some plants.

The Head of Environmental Services undertook to investigate the matter and respond outside of the meeting.  He commented that East Herts Council grounds maintenance contractors covered numerous areas of grass verge and communal gardens and this occasionally resulted in confusion regarding ownership of some of these areas.

The Committee received the report.

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