Agenda item

To accept and note the information in the report.

The item was submitted by Cllr. Gareth Griffith

RESOLVED

To accept and note the information in the report.

DISCUSSION

The report was submitted, noting that the Street Services had an improved performance this year, namely the service that kept the streets of the county clean and tidy. It was added that the cleanliness and street appearance measure this year to date was 74.1% which showed an improvement on last year's performance, which was 71.95%. It was expressed that the percentage of streets with standard B, B+ and A had seen an increase from 94.1% in 2017/18 to 98.5%. Attention was drawn to the change in the performance measure for the percentage of illegal tipping cleared within five days. It was noted that the performance for this new measure showed that on average, it took 1.7 days for the department to clear any illegal tipping and, on the whole, the department perceived this as quite a good performance, which would be used as a baseline.

It was expressed that the percentage of urban waste sent to landfill was lower this year for the period from April to October, at 17.98% compared to 24.33%. It was expressed that this improvement was due to the fact that more waste had been treated through the incineration process and, consequently, had not been sent to landfill.

The condition of the roads was discussed, noting that class A and B Highways were in a relatively good condition, and that there was an improvement in the national comparison figures. It was expressed that class C which was in poor condition had deteriorated, but it was expressed that the department had received funding from the Government and the funding would be used for class C roads. It was noted that the department needed to create a measure for unclassified roads as these roads were not part of the national measures. It was added that as so many of the County's roads were unclassified, the condition of these roads were crucial for Gwynedd residents.

Attention was drawn to cuts and a plan to close 50 out of 73 of the county's public toilets, noting that a Public Toilets Strategy needed to be drawn up by May 2019, and it would be submitted to the Cabinet for discussion. On the whole, it was noted that the Cabinet Member was happy with the financial situation and savings. 

It was expressed that the Gwynedd Consultancy Department had fulfilled its main measure, and that the projection of the latest NET situation showed a profit of £23,583. It was noted that the Department had won a National Award for Collaboration recently. It was noted that the member was very happy with both departments.

Observations arising from the discussion

-        Attention was drawn to an LED Lamps scheme, and it was noted that not only was it a saving in funds, but that it was a saving in carbon, and it was in-keeping with the carbon reduction agenda.

-        It was expressed that it was a good idea to set up an unclassified roads measure as many of these roads were in rural areas across the county which would be helpful for the residents.

-        It was noted that it was difficult to acquire a measure for dog fouling, but there may be a concise report the next time, and it was asked whether there was anything the Council could do to be at the forefront in encouraging people to pick up and clean up their dog fouling. It was noted that this item was being investigated by the Scrutiny Committee.

-        It was asked whether urban waste going to landfill would reduce once all the waste was incinerated in the regional project. It was confirmed that it would, once the site was operational in May