Issue - decisions

The Committee received a report from the Enforcement Team Manager.

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 North Area Committee.

The report identifies the reactive and proactive service actions undertaken in the previous year, including the requested priority targets and reports back on the recommended issues and associated actions to be targeted in the following period. It also includes key officer contacts for the reporting of waste and refuse and public realm issues.

Members of the public raised the following issues:

     i.        Expressed concern that fly tipping occurred due to the high charges for removal of bulky goods.

    ii.        If people booked collections, but the operator arrived late, it may look as though items had been dumped.

Councillors raised the following issues:

     i.        Ofo were slow to collect abandoned bikes.

    ii.        Fly tipping in Arbury Court.

In response to Members’ questions the Enforcement Team Manager said the following:

     i.        Officers reported abandoned Ofo bikes to the operator via their UK number, not the publically advertised Philippines call centre, which got a faster response.

    ii.        County lines drug issues were a police priority.

   iii.        Abandoned needle figures fluctuated. A large number may unexpectedly be found in void properties, which increased the reported number.

  iv.        Officers did not routinely look for needles. They responded to reported sightings within 2 hours as a priority for action. Particularly if needles were reported near play areas.

The Committee asked the Enforcement Team Manager to make the following amendments to recommendations:

     i.        Councillor Todd-Jones: To include Perse Way in priority 2.

    ii.        Councillor Dalzell: Future reports to include Ofo in the breakdown of abandoned bikes figure.

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

1.   Enforcement patrols to tackle fly tipping on communal archways and green areas at Minerva Way area (including Augustus Close, Hercules Close, Neptune Close and Apollo Way), Arbury Court, Hazelwood/Molewood Close area, Church Street recycling centre, Crathern Way / Cameron Way, Cockerel Road, Dundee Close and Sackville / Aragon Close recycling areas.

2.   Patrols to address dog fouling on Perse Way, Chesterton Recreation Ground and Molewood / Hazelwood Close area including early mornings, evenings and weekends.

3.   Enforcement patrols to tackle abandoned vehicles across the East Chesterton ward.

4.   Enforcement patrols to deal with illegal camping at Logan’s Meadows.

Future reports to include breakdown of abandoned bikes figure to show the percentage of these belonging to Ofo.