Agenda item

Report of the Director of City Services.

The Scrutiny Board considered a Briefing Note of the Report of the Director of City Services and Commercial which provided an update on the Council’s street cleansing activities and work with community Volunteers.

The Briefing Note indicated that the team currently cleanse 10’000 miles of road network each year and empty over 3’000 street litter bins each week. Cleansing activities are also undertaken in the city’s parks and open spaces.

Resources are allocated based on area need, which means that some areas receive more visits/resources than others. This is based on statistical data and levels of waste removed from both litter bins, streets and parks and open spaces. Furthermore, a Fundamental Service Review was undertaken in 2010, with a further review in 2015 as part of the budget setting process for 2016/17, these reviews resulted in an overall reduction of 25% of the workforce. As a result, this has seen a reduction in service delivery, which has created challenges, particularly in respect to the cleanliness across the city.

The Cabinet Member for City Services indicated that there is a proactive group of volunteers whom the Council work closely with to provide equipment for litter picking, arrange collection of bags and large items. Meetings are held regularly with volunteer groups to discuss any local issues, share information and work together to find solutions. The Cabinet Member also thanked the litter picking volunteers and emphasised the big difference they made on the city and its cleanliness.

The Scrutiny Board asked questions, received responses and discussed a number of matters as summarised below.

• The reduction in numbers of fixed penalty notices issued since Covid and noted that this was due to a combination of less resources, lower footfall in the city centre and the switch from cigarettes to vapes.
• How the Community Payback Scheme supported the work, particularly in clearing entries.
• The need for witnesses to litter dropping to be able to issue fixed penalty notices, steps taken to get the public on board and using Communications to spread the message.
• It was noted that the money from fines goes back into the service supporting CCTV and other aspects of enforcement.
• How voluntary litter picking groups can liaise with area managers to ensure best allocation of resources and avoid duplication.
• Work undertaken to limit the amount of litter churned by mowing but that it won’t be eliminated 100%.
• Issues with private rented sector properties and encouraging reporting of issues.
• The partnership work undertaken with Citizen to remove fly-tipping on their land, enabling the Council to assess for evidence before it is removed.
• Recognition that voluntary litter picking groups are to be commended, but that it’s easy for enthusiasm to tail off.

The Scrutiny Board requested further information about work with Community Payback over the last 5 years to clear entries and thanked officers for all the work undertaken in this regard.

RESOLVED that the Communities and Neighbourhoods Scrutiny Board (4):

1. Notes the information provided in the Briefing Note concerning litter and community volunteers.
2. Recommends that the Cabinet Member for City Services gives consideration to maintaining the one-off budget increase in 2025-26 as part of the Budget Setting process for at least the next three years </AI4><AI5>Resident Parking Schemes.