Agenda item

The Panel is to receive an implementation update on the Street Cleansing Service Specification.

With the aid of a report by the Operations Manager (Environmental Services) (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Street Cleansing Service Specification Implementation Update was presented to the Panel.

Members were reminded that the Street Cleansing Service Specification was previously scrutinised by the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Economy and Growth) and the report highlights how the service is performing. The update report will be presented to the Panel each year.

The Panel was informed that the service is not cleansing the A1/A14 corridor but is however cleansing the slip roads. The Council have made the decision as the road would have to be closed for the safety of staff. Any closure would have to occur at night at a cost of £20k per night and the staff resources would be taken from the day shift.

Members were informed that the metal bins are to be replaced with plastic bins and the Council are looking at getting all the bins from the same company so that replacements can be standardised.

Another development is the creation of a team who will work on ad-hoc issues and respond to customer complaints.

A question was raised in regards to Church Street, St Ives where the leaves fall but can’t be swept as there is parking around the clock. In response Members were informed that the Council can work with the County Council to close the road in order to sweep it even if it might be through the use of a dust pan and brush.

In response to a question regarding whether it was the Highways Agency’s responsibility to cleansing the A1/A14, the Panel were told that it was not, however the Council would have to go through the Highways Agency in order to closed the road as otherwise it would not be safe for staff to work.

The new street cleansing employee in St Neots was complimented by a Member, especially his willingness to take down fly posters. In response to the question could fly posters could be taken off street furniture, the Panel were informed that they couldn’t as the street furniture are County Council assets and therefore it is their responsibility for removing the fly posters and graffiti off their buildings and assets.

Following a conversation in regards to the removal of fly posters and graffiti from County Council assets, the Council would remove them so long as the County Council issue a statement to state that the Council are allowed to remove them and issue a wavier on any damage caused by the removal.

A conversation ensued about the need for more bins to be installed however the majority of the Panel agreed that more education is the key. The Executive Councillor for Environment, Street Scene and Operations stated that one of the campaigns the service is planning to carry out focuses on litter.

In response to a question regarding A boards outside of shops, Members were told that it was a planning issue and any questions should go to the Head of Development.

Following a question, the Panel were informed that weed control is part of the service’s remit and have bought a weed ripper which gets into the gullies and rips out the detritus. In addition, Members were informed that the removal of fly tipping material from the highway is the responsibility of the Council.