Councillor David Edgar, Cabinet Member for Environment introduced the report and presentation.  He set out the context of the transformation programme informing the Board that:

• Environmental matters were an area of growing interest locally, nationally and globally. Feedback from residents’ surveys indicated that cleaner streets were a significant matter in the community.  Initiatives had been undertaken to address residents’ concerns and improve the local environment.
• A new waste strategy had been created and was now being implemented.  Waste collection services were being brought in house.  A graffiti - street art policy had been created which enabled graffiti to be differentiated from street art of which the latter contributed to the heritage characteristics of the borough.
• The approach sought to engage with social landlords around waste and environmental issues which affected living conditions in the borough. Also it encompassed learning from initiatives by other organisations and councils.

The Divisional Director for Public Realm then gave a presentation outlining how environmental priorities would be delivered in the context of priority outcomes for environmental improvements in the current strategic plan.  He highlighted the spread of the services delivered, the context and principles underpinning the intended transformation of the waste service and for the delivery of cleaner and greener outcomes.

The following information was then provided in response to Members’ questions:

• The return of waste services to the Council was on schedule.  Good human resources data was helping to ensure that the transformation programme remained within the projected timescales.
• Outputs formed part of the strategic services plan and their delivery monitored via performance targets.  Monthly and quarterly data were collected and reported to the Cabinet Member for Environment.
• An SWOT analysis had been completed before preparing the report and presentation.  Information delivered via this analysis would inform how delivery should be monitored and what mechanisms should be in place to ensure consistency of service.

The Board made the following observations:

·         The residents’ survey suggested that the borough was becoming cleaner however it was necessary to ensure that waste and environmental services were responsive where necessary e.g. cleansing after markets and initiatives being implemented to improve behaviours.  The Board was informed that there was a new Markets Manager and had rebalanced its recycling contract to better meet residents’ needs and service targets.

·         There were some practical difficulties around waste collection, particularly  in areas where access was restricted.  The Board was informed that the Council was working with developers to explore how residents could more easily recycle waste.  However there were challenges around retrofitted measures and also at older developments, therefore the Council was looking to work with developers to create purpose-built recycling facilities.  The Cabinet Member advised that, since there was growing awareness and interest in environmental issues, it was necessary to ensure that there was joined-up working with other areas of the Council and external stakeholders to ensure that targets could be delivered.

·         Since 85% of properties in the borough were flats or apartments it was necessary to consider the nature of the relationship the Council required with landlords and RSLs to address waste issues.  The Board was informed that the Council had good operational level relationships and there was frequent contact at strategic levels.  An area of challenge remained around small landlords and transient populations.  These expected the Council to remove black waste sacks from streets at all times without reference to bin collection days.  To encourage behavioural change, education and enforcement would be required here on the basis of evidence-based data to appropriately target polluters. 

·         Houses in multiple occupation were a source of poor waste disposal and recycling behaviours.  The Board was informed that there were positive and negative aspects of the clear-all policy.  There was need for good communications to enable residents to put out their rubbish for collection at the appropriate times.  A Member suggested that officers focus engagement and enforcement measures toward estate agents many of which put out waste without separating contents that could be recycled.  By addressing this group HMOs could better be reached.  The Board was informed that Public Realm was working jointly with Planning and Licensing to better use enforcement to bring about behavioural changes.

·         A Member noted that some other London councils used suction waste removal and suggested that officers explore how waste disposal can be built into developments.

RESOLVED

1.    That the report and presentation and comment on the Cleaner Streets and Local Environment Improvement Programme be noted.

2.    That the comments of the Board on how the Transformation and Improvement Board can best support the ongoing work of the Cleaner Streets and Local Environment Improvement Programme be noted.