Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Assistant Director City Public Realm.

Place Scrutiny Committee considered the report at its meeting on 8 September 2016 and its comments will be reported.

The report of the Assistant Director Public Realm was submitted which sought adoption of the new Clean Streets Strategy.

Members were advised that the Strategy was a new strategic approach to the street cleaning service provided by the City Council, with a focus on resourcing against demand, behaviour change, improving productivity and community engagement. The Action Plan and the initial focus was to ensure there was a baseline standard for the measurement of performance, and establishment of a business case with the aim of increasing productivity through mechanisation and business case for increased enforcement. 

The Portfolio Holder for Place stated that this proposal was a positive way forward and supported the objectives in the Action Plan.

In response to a Member, the Assistant Director Public Realm clarified that it was anticipated that the digital reporting of litter, graffiti and dog fouling would be brought on-line in the first six months of 2017.

Members discussed the problem of trade waste on the High Street particularly on weekend evenings. The Portfolio Holder for Place stated that this issue was being addressed and that a new operating model was being discussed to help tackle this problem and bring business on board.

Place Scrutiny Committee considered the report at its meeting on 8 September 2016 and its comments were reported.

RESOLVED that the adoption of the Clean Streets Strategy 2016 be approved and that work commences towards the delivery of the Strategy’s Action Plan.

To consider the report of the Assistant Director Public Realm.  

The Assistant Director Public Realm presented a report which sought the adoption of the new Clean Streets Strategy, as a new strategic approach to the street cleaning service provided by the City Council, with a focus on resourcing against demand, behaviour change, improving productivity and community engagement.  She set out the principles of the new strategic approach to:-

·              invest more resource into reactive and high impact activities;

·              organise the service based on need rather than frequency;

·              target staff resources at the times of highest demand;

·              mechanise to improve productivity and standards;

·              change public behaviour to reduce demand, particularly in hotspot areas;

·              engage and empower communities; and

·              measure and publish information on performance.

The Assistant Director Public Realm also referred to the Action Plan and the initial focus to ensure there was a baseline standard for the measurement of performance, establishment of a business case with the aim of increasing productivity through mechanisation and a shift of resources into reactive and deep clean activities.  She advised that such an investment of the service would be the subject of a further report at the appropriate time. She also responded to a Member’s question, confirming that although agency staff was still used, it was not to the same degree, but a consistency in the service was required due to the nature of the role and need to cover for sickness absence.

A Member commented on the growing incidents of graffiti in the city, and of the professional way in which the cleansing teams tackled the removal. He felt the weight of the law should be brought to bear on the perpetrators and he wondered if Place Scrutiny Committee could offer any support, in view of the apparent lack of police action.  He appreciated the costs associated with graffiti removal and he wished to pay tribute to the efforts of the graffiti team.  The Assistant Director Public Realm referred to the good work by the Assistant Director Environment and his teams in trying to bring forward prosecutions. She felt that the improved enforcement, referred to in the Strategy, could have some beneficial effect and welcomed any opportunity to strengthen the police approach. The Chair requested contact be made with Alison Hernandez, the Police and Crime Commissioner, to discuss the likely effects of a more rigorous enforcement regime by both the City Council and the Police.

Place Scrutiny Committee recommended approval by Executive of the adoption of the Clean Streets Strategy 2016, and that work should commence towards the delivery of the actions set out in the Strategy’s Action Plan.