Issue - meetings

The Committee received a report from the Operations Manager – Community Engagement and Enforcement.

 

The report outlined 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 report identified the reactive and proactive service actions undertaken in the previous quarter, including the requested priority targets, and reported back on the recommended issues and associated actions. It also included key officer contacts for the reporting of waste and refuse and public realm issues.

 

The following were suggestions for Members on what action could be considered for priority within the West Area for the period of March to May 2016.

 

Continuing priorities[1]

 

Number	Priority details
1	Enforcement and City Ranger patrols in the City Centre to address issues of illegally deposited trade waste and littering.   Justification: Littering and illegal deposited waste if left un-investigated can cause ongoing issues and encourage antisocial behaviour. This priority has been included as a continuation to balance the high standard of trade waste management and litter patrols already existing in the West/Central area and to continue to build upon this work further.
2	Early morning, daytime and weekend dog warden patrols for dog fouling on Grantchester Street, Lammas Land and surrounding areas.   Justification: Dog fouling continues to be identified by the Dog Warden and a number of individuals spoken to have not been aware of dog control orders; this recommendation remains in order to balance education and enforcement. Further reports have been received that has identified an increase of dog fouling on the routes to and from the local school.
3	Proactive small scale graffiti and flyposting removal by City Rangers and Operations Team 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 all the rangers covering the West/Central areas and to expand it to all of the Operations officers within Streets and Open Spaces.
4	Ownership and cleansing of Garrett Hostel Lane ditches.   Justification: Work to identify the ownership of Garrett Hostel Lane ditches is ongoing. Work on maintaining the cleanliness of the ditches is ongoing and remains a focus for the Operations team.
5	Joint working patrols to address the issues of fly tipping at public recycling points.   Justification: Fly tipping at Lammas Land, Adam and Eve Street, Park Street and Castle Park recycling centre account for an increase in the fly tipping figures across the West area. Enforcement and ranger work to focus on these areas will balance education and enforcement to deter this problem.
6	Enforcement work to tackle the environmental crime issue of littering and trade waste at Histon Road shops, particularly outside the Co-op.   Justification: Trade waste and litter is problematic in this area and patrols have already identified a large volume of cigarette ends discarded on the floor. Patrols will identify litter and trade waste issues and take appropriate action to remedy the situation.

 

Members of the public raised the following issues:

       i.          Fly tipping near Milton Walk.

     ii.          Local walk abouts were a good way to highlight issues that needed to be quickly addressed.

   iii.          Rough sleepers across the city.

 

The Operations Manager – Community Engagement and Enforcement said her team were able to take action against people sleeping in tents on commons and council owned green spaces, but not rough sleepers, who were dealt with by the Police.

 

The Committee discussed the following issues:

       i.          Dog fouling in the Lammas Field area. Requested the Dog Warden patrol cover this area.

     ii.          Graffiti at Radcliffe Court.

   iii.          Adam & Eve Recycling Centre:

·       Fly tipping as bins were overflowing.

·       Bin lids were too heavy for some people to lift.

 

Action Point: The Operations Manager – Community Engagement and Enforcement to contact Waste Team regarding supplying appropriate bins at the Adam & Eve Recycling Centre eg the lids were too heavy for people to access current ones.

 

   iv.          Kings Parade litter bins overflowing.

    v.          Fly tipping and overflowing bins:

·       Park Street.

·       New Square (summer litter).

·       Jesus Green – overflowing cigarette bin.

   vi.          Damaged bins by the Fort St George (Pub) on Midsummer Common.

 vii.          Skips in Hardwick Street and Derby Street. Building Control Officers had been asked to monitor cleanliness issues.

 

Action Point: Wendy Young to liaise with Highways Authority Officers to refer issues caused by untidy skips in Hardwick Street and Derby Street.

 

viii.          A deep clean of the The Croft, particularly around the Co-op.

   ix.          Enforcement work to tackle the environmental crime issue of littering and trade waste at Histon Road shops and car parks.

 

Following discussion, Members unanimously resolved to approve priorities for action as listed in the table above.