Issue - meetings

Report of the Leader of the Council detailing the business undertaken across the Council since 17^th May 2017, attached.

The report of the Leader of the Council was submitted setting out the details of the business undertaken by the Executive.

The Leader and the Cabinet made statements and responded to questions.

The following questions were submitted in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 11.1. 

1.  Safety at the junction of Station Road and Spring Road

Question from Councillor J Baillie to Councillor Rayment

Other than refreshing the white lines, what has been done to improve safety at the junction of Station Road and Spring Road?

Answer

Surface markings have recently been refreshed at a section of this junction as part of the resurfacing maintenance programme. While this was not part of the Road Safety programme the recent injury accident rate was discussed and the opportunity was taken to make small, short term improvements. These included the revision of hazard warning lines, centre line markings and inclusion of “SLOW” surface text to increase awareness of the junction to approaching drivers. 

Due to the injury accident rate over the last three year period this junction has been prioritised and included in the 2017-18 Road Safety Engineering programme. The investigation will assess contributing factors to injury accidents and recommend mitigating engineering factors. This study is currently underway and due to complete in late August at which point officers would welcome a meeting with ward Cllrs on site to discuss the recommendations. Following this stage the agreed works will be taken forward to detailed design and depending on costs, delivery intended in Spring 2018.

2.  AWC – Action against HMO’s and Businesses

Question from Councillor Painton to Councillor Rayment

Now that the fortnightly bin is entering its first month in operation what actions do you propose to take against HMO's and Businesses putting out extra black plastic bags full of rubbish as there green bin has overflowed, and with the majority of HMO having more than one user to their allocated bin should HMO'S now use a commercial collection service.

Answer

The Council’s Managing the Local Environment Policy went live on 5^th June 2017. The Street Scene Enforcement team was fully active from 17^th July 2017 following training, and will be tackling domestic bin issues such as bins left on pavements, side waste and contaminated waste.

There is a clear process in the policy to intervene, educate and follow-up with enforcement action under s.46 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 to deal with all residents (including those in HMOs) who continuously produce side waste, in spite of early intervention, education, and support being given.

Businesses who dispose of their waste incorrectly and abuse the domestic bins will be given a period of time to comply with their responsibilities under the duty of care regulations before joined-up enforcement action is taken with environmental health to educate and enforce relevant regulations against businesses.

Our focus is to help residents to manage their waste, recycle more and keep our streets clean and tidy.  In extreme circumstances of non-compliance, enforcement action will be taken in line  ...  view the full minutes text for item 25