Agenda and draft minutes

Venue: Howard Room, Parkside, Chart Way, Horsham

Contact: Email: committeeservices@horsham.gov.uk  Direct Line: 01403 215465

Items
No. Item

27.

Notes of previous meeting pdf icon PDF 70 KB

To receive the notes of the meeting held on 2 July 2018

Minutes:

The notes of the meeting held 2nd July 2018 were received.

28.

Environmental Enforcement Policy

The Cabinet Member seeks the views of the PDAG on the draft Environmental Enforcement Policy before it is considered by Cabinet on 22 November 2018

Minutes:

The Head of Waste, Street Scene and Fleet presented the draft Environmental Enforcement Policy.

 

The purpose of the Policy was to allow the Council to investigate and take action against environmental offences successfully without being challenged.

 

The officer talked the Advisory Group through the draft Policy.

 

Members noted that dog fouling was covered by the Public Spaces Protection Order.

 

The Group discussed fly tipping and the difficulties in catching offenders. The Group was advised that the Council would be purchasing cameras to rotate around the hotspots where fly tipping occurs. Signage would also be erected at these sites.

 

The PDAG was happy with the Policy and noted that it would be presented to Cabinet for approval on 22nd November.

29.

Assisted Collections Policy

Minutes:

The Head of Waste, Street Scene and Fleet presented the proposed new process for Assisted Collections. The Group noted that the policy needed to be overhauled and updated to ensure it was fit for purpose.

 

The proposed new process was inline with neighbouring authorities. It included an appeals process.

 

The Group discussed the revised process and also the requirement, in some cases, to provide a doctor’s note. Members requested that the officers look into the current cost of doctor’s note as they were keen to ensure that this process did not send applicants into financial hardship in the event that they were required to provide one.

 

The officers advised Members that an element of sensible judgement or a common sense approach would be adopted when considering applications, in some cases it may be necessary to visit the applicant.

 

The Group noted and was happy with the new policy. 

30.

Isolated Property Collections Review - Workload Balancing Progress Update Phase 1 and 2

Minutes:

The PDAG received an update on the Isolated Property Collections Review – phase one and two.

 

A number of letters of appeal had been received in response to the revised collection points, the Council had adopted a flexible and reasonable approach when dealing with these.

 

Out of approximately 150 properties which had been written to in phase one and two, 61 had been agreed, 35 have adopted the new collection point, 14 were in extended consultation with the Council.

 

Members were reminded that the exercise was about workload balancing and to ensure that the workload was achievable for the two smaller vehicles without having to provide additional support.

 

Over 1000 properties had been moved to a larger collection vehicle.

 

Members requested that the number of properties in the District which were not kerbside collection be provided following the meeting.

 

31.

Missed Bins - Online Reporting

Minutes:

The Head of Waste, Street Scene and Fleet provided a presentation to the PDAG on missed bins and online reporting.

 

The Council had a low record of missed bins. Officers were trying to encourage members of the public to report missed bins online.

 

The statistics were presented to the Group. Figures were expected to reduce even further. Using the online system allowed for a better more efficient and timely response to any missed bins.

 

The in-cab technology was being integrated with the online reporting system.

 

Some Members were concerned that this service might be outsourced at some point in the future but the Cabinet Member assured the Group that he supported an in-house service which was better for the residents and he was not looking to outsource this service.

32.

Forward Plan Extract for the Waste, Recycling and Cleansing Portfolio pdf icon PDF 105 KB

To note the Forward Plan extract (if any) for the Waste, Recycling and Cleansing Portfolio

Minutes:

The Advisory Group noted the Forward Plan extract.

 

 

The Group noted that a visit to the MBT plant had been agreed and all the Members of the Group expressed an interest in attending. Councillor Lambert would organise this with the Director’s PA.

 

The Group also asked for a brief update on concerns which were prevalent at the time amongst neighbouring authorities about plastics not being collected for recycling. The Cabinet Member would seek an up to date statement from West Sussex County Council and the contractor on the position in Horsham, which would be circulated to all Councillors to allay any concerns which they may have.