Agenda item

A report on the Littering Review is attached.

Sarah Alder, Team Manager Strategy and Contracts (Environmental Services) and Pam Jones, Neighbourhood Environmental Services introduced the report.

Officers corrected some figures shown on page 12 (or page 2) of the report – the correct figures now show on the website.

Panel members made the following points and asked the following questions:

In response to Councillor Walker asking about Airb&b cleaners who put rubbish into public bins, the officer explained that it depends on neighbours reporting this and also depends on whether the property has a domestic or commercial collection.

Councillor Craig raised the following points. Officer responses are shown in italics.

·  There is a littering issue outside some local businesses on the Lower Bristol Road (and other areas) where smokers do not have dedicated facilities and instead throw cigarette butts onto the street. The officer explained that littering legislation is currently based around fining the individual but that anti-social behaviour orders could be looked into if businesses do not provide a place to put cigarette butts. Councillor Walker asked that council contractors be made aware of the £2million cost for cleaning drains caused by cigarette butts being thrown down the drains. This has been seen at the rear of the building. 

·  Regarding 3GS, generally people have been surprised at being fined for cigarette butts. If the contract is not renewed we should use the feedback as an information exercise. Councillor Wood, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods explained that he felt that enforcement is a good thing and it changes behaviours although he did not agree with using private companies for enforcement.

·  Regarding abandoned bikes, they could be given away if not claimed after three months rather than destroyed. The officer explained that they work with charitable organisations regarding abandoned bikes, including Julian House. Councillor Craig commented that Julian House workshop can use damaged bike parts.

Councillor Bromley supported a deposit/return scheme. She also stated that she felt that parks could not really be compared to National Trust areas as people pay to visit National Trust land.

Councillor Born stated that she was surprised at the low level of resources that go into the Street Cleaning service and congratulated officers in managing this. The Cabinet Member agreed. Councillor Born stated that some residents outside of the city centre say their streets are not cleaned and drains not swept, she felt that this preventative work could mean bigger problems do not build up. Councillor Born made some observations – refuse collectors sometimes leave a trail of rubbish behind them and also the places that homeless people sleep are sometimes filled with rubbish when they leave.

Councillor Born asked if there is any data regarding behaviour change since 3GS began issuing fines. The officer explained that the figures do not show any patterns as it depends on the areas that have been patrolled.

Councillor Davies asked if there was any benchmarking information regarding the recycling rates for street bins. The officer explained that there is no breakdown for litter bins and also that there is a high level of contamination in these bins. She exlained that there is engagement with other authorities. She further explained that there are two new recycling bins (Victoria Park and Royal Crescent) where levels of contamination are being monitored.

Councillor Rigby raised the following points. Officer responses are shown in italics.

·  A lot of litter in Bath is related to fast food and street trader outlets. It is good to try to address this responsibility at the licensing stage.

·  There is a volunteer network (eg. for litter picking), maybe this could be harnessed for street cleaning. The Cabinet member agreed that the Council is more reliant on the volunteering sector and there may be untapped potential.

·  In areas outside of the city centre there are huge amounts of fly tipping – are fines at the right level. The officer explained that flying tipping is investigated and the maximum fine is £400. Further action is down to the discretion of the officers. The Cabinet member stated that there was an issue with resources regarding enforcement and fly tipping.

Councillor O‘Brien raised the following points.

·  Refuse collectors do a great job.

·  People should be fined for littering with cigarette butts.

·  It is good to have bins in parks – volunteer groups such as Wombles and No Place for Litter look after certain areas.

·  We have asked for a sign near fast food outlets asking people to take their litter home. The Cabinet member stated that digital signs can be used for this.

·  There has been a general improvement in attitudes towards recycling.

Councillor Craig raised the following points.

·  Volunteers could also help with clearing leaves away from drains (they could be provided with different colour bags). Maybe the Council could agreed to collect the leaves once they have been cleared.

·  Packaging causes a lot of problems, the Council could lobby the Government on this.

Councillor Malloy raised the following points.

·  Blocked drains and leaves can contribute to flooding.

·  Litter pickers could be offered at a discount to encourage volunteering.

·  There is a No Place for Litter summit – The Cabinet member explained that this was organised by the community groups themselves and believes their intention is to bring people together to try to take forward ideas.

The panel RESOLVED to note the report.