The Committee received and noted a presentation from the Tom McCourt, (Strategic Director) and (Robin Payne, Interim Divisional Director, Public Realm) in which they explained that the portfolio covers Environmental Health – Food Safety; Health and Safety; Noise Nuisance; Pest Control; Environmental Enforcement; Markets; Parking and Mobility Services; Fleet and Passenger Services and Highways and Transport.

The questions and comments from Members on the presentation may be summarised as follows:

The Committee:

·         Noted in Tower Hamlets there are 4 automatic continuous monitoring stations with real time data reporting. The locations of the four monitoring sites are Queen Mary’s University, Mile End Road; Victoria Park; Millwall Park and Blackwall Tunnel Approach. These continuous monitoring stations measure Nitrogen Dioxide, Particulates (PM10), Sulphur Dioxide and Ozone. In addition, the Council also has 90 Nitrogen Dioxide Diffusion tubes located across the Borough collecting data used to identify trends and hotspots, predict future pollutant levels, and monitor the success of the implementation of our air quality action plan;

·         Indicated that they were pleased to see the reference to the Enforcement Review in the presentation and looked to see clarity and purpose on the role of the THEO’s;

·         Asked about when LBTH would have new Underground Refuse System [URS] Trucks and was advised that they would be arriving in autumn and that the delays in delivery were due to churn in the relevant personnel;

·         Noted that whilst 10 noise measuring kits can be seen as an acceptable number for a Borough the size of LBTH, the key issue is having staff to listen to those recordings to evaluate them.  However, the number of kits can be reviewed;

·         Noted that any consideration on increasing the capacity of the Noise Team would need to consider the times of greatest and resources needed to construct a service that is fit for purpose i.e. to ensure the service is doing what we want it to;

·         Noted regarding the development of an effective Parking Strategy reflects the commitment that the Council continues to give to the development of a balanced and integrated transport network for the Borough. Even the predicted increase car ownership over the next 20 years, a progressive programme of effective parking measures put in place now will ensure that the economy and community of the Borough will continue to flourish. These measures will, by necessity, need to be focussed upon keeping the Boroughs road network, free from the detrimental effects of traffic congestion and pollution;

·         Noted that the Council undertakes reviews parking on a regular basis with the emergency services, in order to identify any possible conflict points (e.g. what vehicles are needed to deal with emergencies in a particular neighbourhood);

·         Noted that parking needs are assessed and reviews planned to look at the impact of car free developments; the benefit of car clubs and the installation of electric vehicles charging points;

·         Noted that car clubs have 140 bays in the Borough and 120 new bays for Zip Car where residents can drive a car or van by the minute, hour or day and go one-way across the Borough and that the designs of new charging points will be built into lamp columns;

·         Noted that as part of the Asset Management Plan for highways there will be looking at expenditure on highways and footways especially where there is the highest number of incidences;

·         Noted that the recently launched Find it, Fix it, Love it (FiFiLi) smart phone app enables Tower Hamlets residents and visitors to instantly tell the Council about pot holes; damaged footways and defective lighting.  Users simply take a picture of the damage and the app will pinpoint its location and send the details directly to the Councils environmental contractors, ensuring that problems are dealt with swiftly. However, not every issue can be fixed at once as there is a need to prioritise where there is greatest need;

·         Noted in the development of the Boroughs park infrastructure for the benefit of all consideration has to be given to a number of issues e.g. minimising the levels of pollution; addressing safety issue and manage our parks for the benefit of all;

·         Noted the addressing of safety issues in local parks the Council is working on a programme to improve safety and a “Design Out Crime Specialist” will be seconded from the Metropolitan Police Service to address the impact of drugs and ASB; and

·         Noted in the development of the Boroughs markets there is an issue about how markets have evolved (e.g. local markets that do not attract external foot fall when compared to the niche markets) and there need to look at how LBTH takes ownership and manages these markets more effectively and how can we increase the offer.