Agenda and minutes

There were no declarations of interest.

a)  To agree the Minutes of the Scrutiny Board held on 28 June 2017

b)  Matters Arising

The Minutes of the meeting held on 28 June, 2017 were approved and signed as a true record, subject to an amendment to Minute 3 relating to “Car Parking Pricing Review 2017/18” to reflect that the report had been considered by Cabinet on 4 July, 2017.

In relation to matters arising, the Cabinet Member for City Services, Councillor J Innes, who was present at the meeting, gave assurances regarding options for paying for car parking and there being alternatives to paying by mobile phones.

Presentation of the Deputy Chief Executive (Place)

The Scrutiny Board received a comprehensive presentation on changes to Household Waste Collections, which are coming into operation from September, 2017. The changes, which are being introduced as part of the 2017/18 budget decisions, mean that weekly household collection will become fortnightly, food waste recycling will be introduced and garden waste collections extended across the whole year. 

The presentation covered the following key elements:-

•Key dates (including consultation with staff, communication with residents, delivery of food caddies/calendars and commencement of the new service)

•Communication (including communication with residents via Citivision, distribution of leaflets, ways to obtain information, drop in sessions and use of social media)

•Food Waste

• Exceptions (Flats and communal bins)

• Operational Workforce changes

•Implementation (New technology, the Contact Centre and monitoring)

The Scrutiny Board questioned the officer on aspects of the new arrangements, including:-

• Whether brown lidded bins will be available to those residents who currently do not have one

• How the new technology will enable live information to be relayed to the contact centre and will be able to assist in ensuring resources are used efficiently and effectively.

• The possible introduction of community recycling bins in certain areas

• The Coventry Recycling Club

• How possible disruptions to collections (for example in the event of adverse weather) will be dealt with

RESOLVED that the presentation be noted and that the Cabinet Member for City Services be requested to:-

a)  Take appropriate action to provide, as soon as possible, brown lidded bins to all of those households who currently don’t have one and who want one

b)  In the event of non-collection, ensure that alternative arrangements are made for collection as soon as possible and that Ward Councillors and the Contact Centre are advised accordingly.

Report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Place)

The Scrutiny Board considered a report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Place) which detailed the Board’s Work Programme for 2017/18.

RESOLVED that, further to Minute 6 above, the Implementation of the Changes to Waste Collection be included in the Work Programme.

Any other items of Public business which the Chair decides to take as matters or urgency because of the special circumstances involved.

There were no other items of urgent public business.