Decision details

Actions taken by the environmental departments, reporting on private/public realm data and priority setting.

 The Committee received a report from the Operations Manager (Community Engagement and Enforcement) regarding environmental data which provided an overview of City Council Refuse and Environment and Streets and Open Spaces service activity relating to the geographical area served by the West/Central Area Committee.

 

The Operations Manager (Community Engagement and Enforcement) asked the Committee to note the amendment sheet that had been circulated before the meeting regarding priority 6 (New Square) which had not been included in the report.

 

Comments from members of the public

 

    i.          Fitzroy Street and Burleigh Street suffered from a large amount of litter; what was the procedure for requesting additional bins.

  ii.          Requested that the ditch on Jesus Green be inspected on a regular basis.

 iii.          Advised that the ditch at Garrett Lane Hostel needed to be cleaned out consistently.

iv.          Reported that on Wilberforce Road, drivers of tanker lorries had been seen removing manholes covers and getting rid of waste. A picture of the most recent incident had been taken and reported, but was important that the Committee were made aware.

 

Comments from the Committee

 

     i.        Requested more information on the needles found referenced in the report.

    ii.        Stated that the litter on Jesus Green continued to be a problem and asked what engagement the Street Cleansing Team had with those people who were using barbecues on the Green.

   iii.        Specified that the ditch on Jesus Green needed to be cleaned out on a consistent basis.

  iv.        The cigarette bins attached to the normal bins on Jesus Green by the lock needed to be repaired and emptied.

   v.        Advised that there seemed to be a continuous problem with litter on Fitzroy and Burleigh Street and requested that this was looked at on a regular basis.

  vi.        Noted that the bins had been overflowing on Lammas Land during the hot weather and enquired what flexibility did the street teams have to increase collection during periods of hot weather.

 vii.        Advised of a recurrence of a problem with litter on the edge of Drummer Street and Emmanuel Street and asked if this could be included on the street cleansing team regular round.

viii.        Pleased to note the improvements on New Square.

  ix.        Requested if the Operations Manager could give a summary of priorities determined by the discussion in addition to the continuing priorities referenced in the report.  

 

The Operations Manager (Community Engagement and Enforcement) and Executive Councillor for Environment and Waste responded with the following:

 

     i.        Additional bins should be requested by the public through their Area Committees but could also contact the Operations Manager (whose contact details could be found at the front of the report).

    ii.        Believed that the two needles found were an isolated incident.

   iii.        Daily patrols took place on Jesus Green during the summer months from lunch to late evening. The team did not take a heavy handed approach with the public but encouraged people to use the heavy stones provided as bases and offered education, advice and encouragement to clear away litter and barbecues.

  iv.        Would give instructions to clean the ditch on Jesus Green and to repair and clean the cigarette bin.

   v.        Confirmed that the regular litter pick route from New Street would be expanded to include Fitzroy and Burleigh Street and would be targeted at weekends. 

  vi.        Would enquire what the cleansing schedule was for Lammas land to determine if this should be increased. 

 vii.        The cleansing team would be contacted to clarify the frequency of cleaning along Drummer Street and Emmanuel Street. If it was felt that taxi drivers significantly contributed to the litter this would be investigated with CCTV services to see if it was possible to verify if this claim was correct or not. 

viii.        With regards to Garrett Lane Hostel one side of the land was owned by Cambridge University and the other by the City Council. This matter would be looked at in detail.

  ix.        Agreed to speak with the Environment Health Team with regards to the dumping of waste on Wilberforce Road to see if any action was possible. An update would be given at the next WCAC meeting to advise on what could be done on this matter and who were the relevant agencies that this should be address with.

   x.        Apologised that comments regarding the request to increase the frequency of cleaning the ditch on Jesus Green had not been noted at the previous WCAC meeting. Enquires would be made to determine the cleaning scheduled and e-mail the information to the Committee.

  xi.        Confirmed that additional priorities which would run alongside the continuing properties were as follows:

·        Cleaning of the ditches at Garrett Lane Hostel.

·        Extending the litter pick Drummer Street, Fitzroy Street around Christ Pieces.

·        Investigate the Jesus Green ditch cleansing frequency.

 

The Committee:

 

Councillor Gillespie requested that the Ameycespa recycling centre be promoted and how Councillors and members of the public could visit the centres to learn more about recycling. Councillor Cantrill advised that this should be promoted by the Executive Councillor for Environment and Waste, Councillor Roberts, who agreed to do so.

 

Resolved (unanimously) to agree the following priorities, including the additional priorities (7 to 9).

 

1.   Enforcement and City Ranger patrols in the City Centre to address issues of illegally deposited trade waste and littering.

 

Justification: There has been a slight decrease in the number of trade waste being illegally deposited in the Market ward. A number of reports have highlighted that there has been an increase in the amount of littering in the city during the summer months, and so this priority has been expanded to include a continuation to balance the high standard of trade waste management already existing in the West/Central area and to undertake litter patrols to address the issues.

 

2.   Keep the Trumpington Street runnels to a standard of cleanliness and keep them switched  on during the summer months

 

3.   Early morning dog warden patrols for dog fouling on Grantchester Street and Lammas Land

 

Justification: Dog fouling continues to be identified by the Dog Warden and a number of individuals spoken to were not aware of dog control orders, this recommendation remains in order to balance education and enforcement

 

4.   Proactive small scale graffiti and flyposting removal by City Rangers across the West/Central area

 

Justification: Work already conducted by the City Rangers has been positive and enhanced the areas where cleared. This recommendation is to continue this work as a priority for the Rangers covering the West/Central areas.

 

5.   Enforcement patrols to address the issue of litter at Garrett Hostel Lane

 

Justification: Recent reports have been received by the Council for enforcement action to be taken against individuals who litter in this area, recent reports have highlighted that this issue continues to be a problem

 

6.   Regular litter picks and enforcement monitoring in New Square

 

7.   Cleaning of the ditch at Garrett Lane Hostel.

 

8.   Extending the litter pick Drummer Street, Fitzroy Street around Christ’s Pieces.

 

9.   Investigate the Jesus Green cleansing frequency and action additional cleaning if and when required.