Agenda item

Cabinet Member: Councillor Catrin Wager

 

To consider the progress report

 

 

The progress report of the Cabinet Member for Highways and Municipal Services was submitted on the following:-

 

·         Use of cameras by maritime staff;

·         The impact of changes to recycling arrangements;

·         Collaboration with other neighbouring counties to improve provision;  

·         Reconsider current staffing levels in the Street Enforcement Unit;

·         Expand the interdepartmental collaboration where other Council staff receive delegated enforcement powers on the street.

 

The Cabinet Member set out the context noting that:-

 

·         The changes to the recycling arrangements in Dwyfor had been very positive, with a reduction in missed collections.  It had been more problematic in Arfon due to a number of factors, including inclement weather, vehicles breaking down and a great deal more waste being produced over the Christmas period.   She wished to apologise to those communities that had been affected and noted that she was confident that the service was much better by now.  As a result of the difficulties in Arfon, the changes in Meirionnydd had been postponed until after Easter. 

·         In terms of collaboration with other neighbouring counties to improve provision, it appeared that every county was addressing the work in different ways, consequently there was more demand on this Council to develop its own way of operating.   

·         She had recently had an opportunity to go and see the new CCTV system.   She noted that it was a particularly good quality system, and there was an opportunity to use this type of provision much more in the future.   In addition, the workers who ran the system had been asked to attend the area forums to explain more about the provision.

·         It was extremely important for the county's communities to be clean and tidy and to be a pleasing place to live. There were three parts to this, namely to ensure that the collection arrangements were good, that the Council worked with volunteers and communities to maximise the area's appearance, and also the enforcement element.

 

Officers elaborated on the content of the report, and members were invited to ask questions and offer observations.

 

During the discussion, the following observations were submitted by members:

 

·         It was noted that materials continued to fall out of the recycling vehicles, as they were driven off with the doors still open.   It was accepted that it was inevitable in urban areas as it was not practical to close the doors between every property, however, drivers should be reminded to close the doors in rural areas, where houses are scattered. 

·         Satisfaction was expressed regarding the new collection service in Dwyfor and it was noted that matters had been tidied up considerably following these changes.

·         It was noted that dog faeces continued to be a contentious issue and it was suggested that the only way to deal with this was to install temporary cameras on some of the paths where the problem was worst.

·         It was noted that street bins should be emptied twice a day during school holidays.

·         Attention was drawn to the fact that the county's road signs were dirty.

·         It was suggested that work should be undertaken with the Maritime Department to erect enforcement signs on beaches, as this would have a positive impact on the environment, together with a scheme to respect the area in line with the enforcement element. 

 

In response to the above and questions from members, it was noted:- 

 

·         The new CCTV system was not a system on the lorries, but a street system.   The system was more digital than the previous system, with more and better quality cameras, this meant that no workforce was required in the CCTV unit anymore.  It was also confirmed that this workforce had by now left the Council.  

·         That losing materials from vehicles had been a constant complaint.  It was agreed that the doors should be closed when working out in the countryside and this message would be conveyed to the worker gangs.

·         As recent discussions regarding collaboration had not led to a regional solution, it was proposed to look at this as a department and service and undertake a Ffordd Gwynedd review regarding the team, and how the service was being delivered, with the aim of drafting a new structure that would lead to improving the element of dropping litter and dog faeces. The initial meeting had already taken place and it was hoped to present a report to the Leadership Team in March with the aim of operating the scheme very soon afterwards. 

·         In terms of the problem with dog faeces, that the use of mobile cameras may be something that could be looked at, to be more firm with enforcement.   In addition, there were schemes outside the Council to try and change behaviour. It would also be necessary to review the dog orders, and it may be possible to look at all this as a package.

·         The department was very supportive in looking at the use of electric / hydrogen vehicles. It was intended to try and identify what type of vehicles the Council would need, bearing in mind the county's rural nature.   Electric vehicles were certainly an option for the small fleet, however, this was more difficult with waste collection vehicles.  The department was currently keeping an eye on the trial of hydrogen vehicles, currently taking place in Scotland.  It was also noted that a bid had been submitted for a grant from the Circular Economy Fund.

·         The department had a system for cleaning streets, this included emptying street bins.   If street cleaners were in the area, they would empty the bins, even if they were only a quarter or half full. Members were requested to contact the department if they saw examples where this had not occurred.  It was further noted that it was proposed to review the street cleansing arrangements across the county.  A new document had been published by Welsh Government giving details of how to clean streets, and this could be an opportunity to look at how the service responds in certain areas, such as Llanberis.  

·         Six cameras had been provided to the Maritime Team at a cost of £550 each, and as those staff have enforcement powers to penalise people for dropping litter or allowing their dogs to foul, there were opportunities for them to assist with municipal services work. 

·         The CCTV cameras were operational in Caernarfon, Bangor, Porthmadog and Pwllheli, and requests had also been received from other areas.  The police and the relevant town/city council contribute towards the cost of running the system.

·         It was agreed that there was a need to review the arrangements to empty street bins at different times of the year, e.g. on a Bank Holiday and during the summer, especially so in those areas that are under a great deal of pressure during these times.  

·         That the service has a responsibility to clean road signs and they would get to grips with this.

·         The Department would further discuss with the Maritime Team to address matters concerning beach enforcement. 

 

RESOLVED to accept the report and to note the observations.