Agenda item

Councillor Dave Wood, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhood Services, and Carol Maclellan, Assistant Director Environmental Services, introduced the report. Councillor Wood explained that all Council’s had seen a squeeze on front line services and his aim had been to get investment in these areas and had been working with officers to target the areas that need most intervention. Carol Maclellan outlined the 11 priority areas of investment.

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

Councillor Joel Hirst welcomed the report and investment. He asked the following questions – officer/Cabinet Member response shown in italics.

·  What are the logistics around the ‘clean and green days’? Councillor Wood explained that a post had been created to organise these days to get the community (Residents Associations, Parish and Town Councillors and Ward Councillors) and Council teams together and focus on an area.

·  How will we raise awareness of the opportunities for support? The officer explained that there was definitely a communications aspect and once everything is in place, there would be a public launch.

Councillor Shelley Bromley welcomed the investment in the mechanical weed remover as she has had comments from her residents about the weeds looking untidy. She asked how best to tackle graffiti on utility boxes. Councillor Wood explained that if you let the company know, they will usually remove the graffiti. The officer added that Council vans will remove small bits of graffiti from these boxes. Councillor Karen Walker asked for a list of contact details for utility companies be provided for ward Councillors.

Councillor Ruth Malloy stated that if graffiti on telecoms cabinets is reported to ‘Fix my Street’ it will be forwarded to the correct place.

Councillor Ruth Malloy asked about road and pavement repairs and what the process is if utility companies do not clear up properly after works.

Councillor Wood explained that companies do have a legal obligation to return the area to a certain standard. He stated that he was not sure the legal level is high enough, but the Council can check up.

Councillor Karen Warrington asked how gully emptying and dog fouling enforcement was prioritised. Councillor Wood stated that there is usually a small amount of dog owners that are responsible, it is about the community coming together with intelligence that will inform the enforcement officer. In terms of gully emptying there are different issues such as verges not being cleared. This investment should see a 50% increase in gulley’s cleared.

Councillor Ryan Wills asked the following questions, officer/Cabinet Member responses are in italics:

·  How will road repairs be prioritized? Councillor Wood stated that the highways budget has shrunk and this investment is needed to bring the road network back to a ‘steady state’ which is where the network is maintained gradually and no area is left to deteriorate which is what happens when there is under investment. The ranking of the priorities is done by the Highways Department – they do take into account the future cost and level of community interest.

·  Are these investments one offs? Councillor Wood explained that this is a one-off trial but the knowledge gained will be used to best direct resources to meet public need during the next budget setting.

Councillor Walker asked the following questions, officer/Cabinet Member responses are in italics:

·  Regarding the additional resources on dog fouling, fly tipping & litter offences - would it not be more beneficial for town and Parish councils to take on more responsibility, so this would reduce the cost and continue to deliver this service once the funding has finished. Councillor Wood explained that the Council has statutory powers of enforcement.

·  Regarding the increased routine street cleaning in wards, and our highways network - would it be more beneficial for wards that are parishes to have more input from the parish council for street cleaning, especially those streets the road sweepers do not clean? Councillor Wood explained that Parish and Town Councils could be consulted on priorities. Councillor Warrington agreed that Parish and ward Councillors should be consulted as some have a formal set up with organised volunteers and to have BANES crews would be a great benefit.

The Panel RESOLVED that their comments on the 11 priority activities and communication and engagement with communities be forwarded to the Cabinet Member for Neighbourhood Services and relevant officers.