Agenda and draft minutes

Venue: Committee Room 1, Civic Offices, Merrial Street, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire, ST5 2AG

Contact: Jayne Briscoe 2250 

Items
No. Item

1.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

To receive declarations of interest from Members on items included in the agenda.

Minutes:

There were no declarations of interest stated.

2.

APOLOGIES

Minutes:

An apology was received from Councillor P Hailstones.  Councillor Hailstones was represented at the meeting by Councillor John Cooper.

3.

MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING - 27 SEPTEMBER 2017 - TO FOLLOW

To receive the minutes of the previous meeting of this Committee.

Minutes:

Resolved:                 The minutes of the meeting held on 27 September were circulated and agreed as a correct record.

4.

EXAMINATION OF THE AIR QUALITY IN THE VICINITY OF NEWCASTLE BUS STATION pdf icon PDF 688 KB

Minutes:

The Head of Environmental Health Services presented this report which was requested by members into the management of air quality, with particular reference to the bus station.

 

In accordance with statutory duties the Local Authority has responsibility for monitoring local air quality and during 2015 four Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs) were declared for exceedances of the pollutant nitrogen dioxide. One of these areas included the vicinity of the bus station. 

 

With regard to improving air quality members noted initiatives such as Eco-stars, the anti-idling campaign and reporting a smoky bus to the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency.

 

Continuing, the Engineering Manager explained that the issue of keeping bus engines running whilst in the bus station had been raised at the last meeting with the bus companies.  The bus companies had outlined the measures that had been taken to help improve air quality and suggested the erection of signs reminding drivers to switch off engines after 4 minutes idling, if this was not automatic.  

 

Agreed          That Cabinet be recommended to pursue the erection of signs at the bus station to direct bus drivers to switch off engine after 4 mins idling.

5.

REVIEW OF THE COUNCILS WASTE AND RECYCLING SERVICE pdf icon PDF 97 KB

To review the progress of the Davis Report Recycling and Waste Service Action Plan.

Minutes:

The Chair introduced Mr Andrew Bird, who had recently been appointed as Head of Recycling, Waste and Fleet Services.

 

 The Head of Recycling, Waste and Fleet Services presented this report which examined the implementation of the recommendations of the Independent Review of the Implementation of the New Recycling and Waste Collection Service.

 

Members scrutinised each action on an individual basis.

 

In response to a question raised by a member for the Clayton area who referred to past difficulties regarding the timely collection of recycling it was confirmed that this issue was scrutinised on a daily basis and that the problems were unlikely to reoccur. 

 

A member for the Kidsgrove area asked about the collection of recycling and at this point the Chair suggested that specific ward matters would be more appropriately raised with the Manager outside of the meeting. The officer confirmed that he was willing to attend site meetings with the ward councillors to look at individual issues.

 

It was acknowledged that there were unresolved difficulties due to the interface of 2 computer operating systems in respect of assisted collections.

 

The policy on the enforcement of kerbside collection had been sent to all members and Councillors were asked to raise any issues on the policy with the Head of the Service.

 

Regular meetings were held with the Customer Services Team to examine any service issues and as part of the planning process of any future major service change.

 

The latest information regarding the Missed Bin KPI for the month of September was circulated to members and the Executive Director noted that the total number of 442 was relatively low when compared to the 110,000 bins collected per month.

 

Councillor Panter thanked the service on behalf of the residents of Kennels Lane, Chapel Chorlton for their prompt attention and resolution to an issue.

 

Agreed          That the report be received.

6.

REVIEW OF THE CLOTH NAPPY SERVICE pdf icon PDF 259 KB

Minutes:

In response to a request from a member a report was submitted on the cloth nappy service, as described on the Borough Council Website.

 

The Real Nappy Trail offers parents in the Borough an opportunity to borrow a trail kit for two weeks to see what they think of real nappies.  Available in new born, birth to potty and toddler sizes the kits contain a variety of real nappies.

 

The kits are free to borrow but a £25 deposit is required which is refunded on return of the kit.

 

The Head of Recycling, Waste and Fleet Services explained that the nappy service was not a statutory requirement and was introduced as part of a larger waste minimization campaign when there was a reduction in frequency of residual waste collections.

 

In response to questions about take up of the service he confirmed that the 6 tester kits had been requested about 6 times in the 4 years since the service had begun.

 

Members went on to examine the merits of this service being offered by the Borough both in terms of the costs of providing the service including officer time and the specialised laundering required when the kits were returned and the visibility and promotion of the service to the public and the difficulties that could be caused by creating demand that could not be met within existing resources.

 

It was noted that the North Staffs Nappy Service was a non-profit organisation offering free and impartial advice as well as demonstrations relating to all aspects of cloth nappies.  Their aim is to support and educate families who are already using or interested in using cloth nappies.  The service covers Newcastle-under-Lyme and Stoke-on-Trent.  Members considered that it would be more appropriate to signpost residents to this service on the Borough web site.

 

 

Agreed          That Cabinet be requested to signpost residents to the service offered by the North Staffs Nappy Service www.facebook.com/northstaffsnappyservice

 

7.

WORK PLAN pdf icon PDF 164 KB

To discuss and update the work plans to reflect current scrutiny topics

Minutes:

The Scrutiny Officer circulated an amended work plan.  In relation to the impact of the introduction of parking restrictions on the Lyme Valley a member  commented that the need to take action was becoming increasingly apparent and concerns were expressed at the impact on adjoining areas.

 

8.

PUBLIC QUESTION TIME

Any member of the public wishing to submit a question must serve two clear days’ notice, in writing, of any such question to the Borough Council.

 

Minutes:

There were no members of the public presented at the meeting.

9.

URGENT BUSINESS

To consider any business which is urgent within the meaning of Section 100B(4) of the Local Government Act 1972.

Minutes:

The Chair reported on the decision of Cabinet (26/09/17) in respect of the recommendations from Cleaner, Greener, and Safer Scrutiny Committee in respect of Subways.  On behalf of the Portfolio holder, Councillor Ann Beech the Chair thanked members of the Scrutiny Committee for their work on this important issue. 

 

The report will now be forwarded to Staffordshire County Council with the request that they consider the issues highlighted and having considered these, confirm to the Borough Council whether they will put an Action Plan in place to secure a regular, sustainable programme of maintenance and repair to the subways in the Borough.

10.

DATE OF NEXT MEETING

Minutes:

The date of the next meeting is 28 February 2018.