Issue - meetings

 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.

 

Comments from members of the public.

 

John Lawton: Concerned about the bins that had been placed on Parker’s Piece without consultation.

 

There are a number of advertising boards on Midsummer Common, particularly near the Fort of St George which obstructs the turning area there, is there anything that can be done.

 

Wendy Young: A future meeting of the City Centre Working Group would discuss the issue of the A boards. It was an issue that the City Council were aware of but unfortunately did not have legal powers to remove them.  Alternative ways on how the matters can be addressed were being investigated.

 

Comments from the Committee:

 

Councillor Hipkin: Would like to acknowledge the excellent work of the City Rangers, particularly Richard Allen. Pleased to note that the Trumpington Street runnels were a continued priority.

 

Councillor Cantrill: Would also reiterate the good work that the City Rangers carry out, particularly in Newnham.

 

When the litter bins were emptied the red refuse sacks are left out for three or four days before they are collected. Is there an opportunity to improve the system to speed up the process which is an issue across the City? 

 

Councillor Reid: Local residents had expressed concern regarding the bins that have been placed on Newnham Green and asked why they could have not have been placed on the perimeter of the Green.

 

Wendy Young: The bins on open spaces are part of the replacement programme, led by Alistair Wilson, Green Space Manager. Would be happy to discuss direct with Alistair the strategic approach and a long term plan and bring the details back to Committee.

 

Are there key individuals that members of the public could contact, such as dog wardens, or officers who deal specifically with littering, or do they have to deal direct with the Customer Service Centre in the first instance?

 

Wendy Young: Members of the public should contact the Customer Service Centre in the first instance though Manager’s contact details were available within the Environmental Data Report if issues needed to be escalated or members of the public wished to speak to a named officer.

 

Councillor Cearns: Encouraged that New Square had been proposed as a priority and hope that this will be a joined up approach with the Police to compliment the work of both organisations.

 

Residents have expressed concerns regarding the bins that have been installed on Parker’s Piece which are on concrete stands and had been done without public consultation.

 

Councillor Cantrill: Would suggest that the Executive Councillor for Environment and Waste be invited to a future meeting to discuss and answer questions on the replacement bin programme (ACTION)

 

Councillor Bick:  How do Officers deal with information that HAS been placed on railings around the City to ensure that open spaces are not being littered but keep the atmosphere that they bring. The situation around Jesus Green needs to be improved, what can be done?

 

Wendy Young: With regards to the railing in the Market Square, no action is taken unless requested to do so by the Church. For Council railings, such as those on Jesus Green, we do ask that people request permission from the City Council. Posters advertising commercial events are not permitted. There is a three stage process if people do not abide by the rules as administrating fines was not an option.

 

The Committee:

 

Councillor Smith informed the Committee that Councillor Ratcliffe had proposed an additional priority for regular litter picks and enforcement monitoring in New Square.

 

This was carried Nem Com.

 

Resolved (unanimously) to agree the following priorities and the additional priority (number 7):

 

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

 

Justification: There has been an increase from 3 to 8 cases of trade waste being illegally deposited in the Market Ward and this recommendation is included to continue to balance the high standard of trade waste management already existing in the West/Central area.

 

2.   To 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.

 

4.   Investigate the bin provision at Grantchester Meadows and seek to improve the bins provided for both litter and dog mess in the car park area and approaches to the open space.

 

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

 

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

 

7. Regular litter picks and enforcement monitoring in New Square.