Issue - meetings

Verbal update on the ongoing work to address issues raised through the area committee's "CB4" consultation and community engagement work.

The committee received an update from the Head of Streets and Open Spaces and the City Ranger on issues raised during the CB4 consultation.

 

The presentation can be accessed via:

 

http://www.cambridge.gov.uk/democracy/documents/s11860/StreetsandOpenSpacesNorthArea.ppt.pdf

 

Members of the public and Councillors asked a number of questions, as set out below:

 

1) Councillor Price: Asked how many enforcement notices had been issued for littering around the Tesco and Campkin Road area.

 

The City Ranger confirmed that four enforcement notices had been issued in the last week. However it was noted that the City Council only issued notices to people over the age of 18.

 

2) Councillor Price: Questioned why the City Council did not issue enforcement notices to people under the age of 18.

 

The Head of Streets and Open Spaces confirmed that, as non-payment of an enforcement notice resulted in a criminal conviction, it was not felt appropriate to issue these to minors. The City Council did however work closely with Cambridge Regional College to educate the students about litter.

 

3) Councillor Price: Asked for further information on the funding source for the additional litterbins.

 

The Head of Streets and Open Spaces confirmed that the funding had come from the Council's capital fund.

 

4) Councillor O’Reilly: Questioned whether local residents would be consulted on the location of the additional dog bins.

 

The Head of Streets and Open Spaces confirmed that consultation would be undertaken.

 

5) Councillor Todd-Jones: Questioned whether it would be more effective to have a dedicated officer for dog issues instead of giving additional training to the three generic Enforcement Officers.

 

The Head of Streets and Open Spaces responded that, due to the large patch to cover, three additionally trained officers was deemed better than a single dedicated post. It was also noted that the City Council still employed a dedicated Dog Warden.

 

6) Resident: Suggested that better publicity about the additionally trained Enforcement Officers may be beneficial.

 

The Head of Streets and Open Spaces confirmed that a combination of enforcement and education was crucial to tackling the problem.

 

7) Resident: Asked for further information on the City Councils work with the Probation Service.

 

The City Ranger confirmed that he worked closely with the Probation Service and regularly organised litter picks with up to 20 offenders. A Litter Plan was also being drafted to help address the ongoing issue.

 

The Chair thanked the Head of Streets and Open Spaces and the City Ranger for their presentation.