Issue - meetings

The Committee received a report from the Operations Manager – Community Engagement and Enforcement. She brought the report up to date by stating a typographical error on agenda P68 incorrectly listed the number of needles collected as 476 instead of 78.

 

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 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 December 2016 to February 2017.

 

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	Joint working patrols to address the issues of fly tipping at Adam and Eve Street recycling point Justification: Fly tipping at Adam and Eve Street recycling centre continues to be a problem for 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.

 

New suggested priorities

 

Number	Priority details
3	Dog warden patrols to target irresponsible dog owners on Midsummer Common Justification: In November there were three reports of intimidating or uncontrolled dogs on Midsummer Common. Dog warden patrols are planned to focus on this area at key times and to gather intelligence / speak to dog owners about the issues in the area.

 

The Committee discussed the following issues:

       i.          Rationalising of Midsummer Common bins.

     ii.          Need for dog poo bins at the bottom of Chestnut Walk/Huntingdon Road.

   iii.          Need for regular clearance of cigarette bins on rubbish bins in all WCAC wards.

   iv.          Fly tipping was a cross-city issue. Some areas were affected more than others.

    v.          Dog Control Orders would automatically become a Public Space Protection Order in autumn 2017, and  consultation has taken place recently regarding updating restrictions.

   vi.          The Dog Control Orders would cover the Community Orchard.

 

Action Point: Wendy Young to liaise with Open Spaces Team to request regular clearing of cigarette bins on rubbish bins.

 

 vii.          Condition of fence and railings in the Garret Hostel Lane and Christ Pieces area.

 

Action Point: Wendy Young to liaise with Alistair Wilson to request land owner(s) maintain the railings between Queen’s Road and the Garret Hostel Lane bridge.

 

Action Point: Wendy Young to liaise with Alistair Wilson to look into the issue of the white picket fence outside Millworks restaurant by the Mill Pond.  The fence may be the property of the landowner, but whoever owns it please could they be asked to repair it?

 

viii.          Fly tipping in the Adam & Eve Recycling Centre and Kite areas.

 

Members of the public raised the following issues:

       i.          Rationalising of Queen’s Green and Burrell’s Walk bins.

     ii.          Litter in the Garret Hostel Lane area, possibly caused by the night time economy. Suggested tackling this through Ward Walkabouts rather than bins.

   iii.          Carrisbrooke School and local residents thanked Rangers for their clean-up work.

   iv.          Queried if electrical items could be recycled as part of a wider City Council clear up scheme.

 

The Operations Manager said electrical items were recycled once a year by the Waste Team. Also through City Homes general clear up sessions in deprived areas.

 

In response to Members’ questions the Operations Manager – Community Engagement and Enforcement said the following:

       i.          The trial of temporary bins on Fitzroy street had been a success so they would be replaced with permanent ones.

     ii.          Requested suggestions on where bins:

a.    Were needed such as Chestnut Walk, and Garret Hostel Lane area.

b.    Could be rationalised on Midsummer Common.

 

Action Point: Wendy Young to return with comments on bins at the next committee.

 

   iii.          People who asked others to dispose of their waste could be fined if the disposer simply dumped it, (known as duty of care that all waste producers had).

 

The Committee discussed the following as additional and revised recommendations for action:

 

Recommendation 3

         i.          To include the Community Orchard.

 

Following discussion, Members unanimously resolved to approve priorities for action as amended above.