Issue - meetings

To consider the service delivery arrangements for the integrated Street Scene Service.

Approve the service delivery arrangements for the integrated Street Scene Service.

By way of a report from the Interim Head of Service (Operations) (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Cabinet considered the service delivery arrangements for the integrated Street Scene Service.

It was explained that the proposal remodelled service delivery arrangements for street cleansing and grounds maintenance was to be delivered on an area basis. The purpose being to introduce a more holistic and customer focused approach. The proposals had been developed to deliver the service delivery requirements and standards set out in the Service Specifications for Street Cleaning and Grounds Maintenance recently approved by the Cabinet.

Although the integrated Street Scene Service included the removal of graffiti and flyposting that was offensive or on a public building, it was noted that there would be a future policy devised regarding these issues including fly tipping.  The District Council was in discussions with the County Council regarding graffiti on highway cabinets and signage was being introduced on highways cabinets to advertise how the public were able to report graffiti.

Maps to illustrate the area based service delivery arrangements would be published on the Council’s website to enable residents to have immediate access to the core information regarding the integrated Street Scene Service provided by the Council.

In response to a question regarding the north/south grounds maintenance deployment programme, it was explained that three weed treatments would be delivered over the season and prior to the weed treatments being administered mechanical sweepers would be used.

Regarding external commercialisation of the service it was explained that the Council had successfully gained the contracts for providing a grounds maintenance service to five additional Parish Councils.  The cost of the District Council to deliver this service was competitive to the larger Parish Council, but it could not contend against services provided by one person operations who the small Parish Councils tended to use.

Ramsey Town Council employed the District Council to deliver its grounds maintenance service and following a service level agreement being approved, the public amenity space throughout the town had improved. The Cabinet were pleased to note that discussions were proceeding with Huntingdon Town Council for provision of its grounds maintenance service and a service level agreement would be encouraged so that the District Council was undertaking the service to the same standard throughout.

In response to the service provided to the County Council it was explained that the dialogue was ongoing as to what the County Council was willing to pay for including the amount of grass cuts.

Having been invited to address the Cabinet, the Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Economy and Growth) stated that the Panel had suggested that the Organisational Structure chart for Environmental Services included names as well as job titles.

The Panel was pleased that mechanical sweepers would be used throughout the villages in the District.  However, had suggested that better management was required to notify residents to ensure vehicles were removed prior to sweeping. 

The Panel had requested regular update  ...  view the full minutes text for item 104

The Interim Head of Operations is to present a scoping report on the creation of an Integrated Street Scene Service.

With the aid of a report by the Interim Head of Operations (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Street Scene Service Scoping Report was presented to the Panel. Members were advised that the Council aims to deliver an area based and integrated Street Scene Service to better maintain the public realm of Huntingdonshire.

The Panel was informed that graffiti and flyposting removal issues were not included in the report and these would be the subject of a further report to the Panel. The resources for the service are to be divided into two areas: North and South.

Details highlighted to the Panel include the increased use of the precinct sweeper in the market towns therefore increasing the availability of the mechanical sweeper for sweeping the villages. Reducing the timetable for the road sweeper from a six week programme to a four week programme. Weed treatment throughout the District three times a year and getting the right equipment to carry out grass cutting.

The Interim Head of Operations confirmed following a query regarding the organisational structure provided within the report that Members would receive an update organisational structure with names next to the post title.

In response to a question about graffiti on media boxes and the garages owned by Luminus the Panel was informed that Luminus are responsible for the graffiti on their garages. In regards to the media boxes the Council continues to work with the media companies to remove graffiti from the boxes.

Following a concern with regards to the precinct sweeper in St Neots and the working practices of the sweepers in general, Members were advised that working practices would be reviewed in order to maximise the amount of road swept by the mechanical and precinct sweepers.

In summary the following key points were highlighted:

1)  the Panel would receive a copy of the organisation structure with names.

2)  the Interim Head of Operations is to present a report to the Panel in June 2016 on the topic of Flyposting.

3)  the Panel is to receive an update report at the meeting in September 2016.