The Sub-Committee will receive performance data on:
· Traffic enforcement
· Waste Collection
· Recycling
· Street Cleansing
Minutes:
The Sub-Committee was informed and noted performance data that had been discussed at the previous meeting.
Parking Performance - This was measured by income activity. Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) income was less than predicted and resulted in £218k pressure whereas the parking income (pay and display) performed better than expected with a year end result of £130k better than predicted. Overall there was a net loss position against the budget of £88k.
The officer stated that it was very difficult to predict car parking, as compliance was a big area. With the recent changes in legislation, the CCTV car could no longer issue PCN’s. There were a number of areas where improvements could be made including enforcement after 8pm in specific locations. This would need to be in conjunction with residents and businesses in the area.
Waste Collection - The contract for the waste collection started last year with Serco. A fire at the waste management facility in Frog Island which coincided with the first operational day of the new contract severely disrupted the waste and recycling collections, leading to a higher number of missed collections in August 2014. It was noted that currently missed collections of approximately 200 per month, is less than approximately 0.1% of all collections and of these 80% were rectified within 24 hours.
The Sub-Committee noted that the waste levy was rising as was tonnage. Across London tonnages rose by 3% by last year compared with an estimated 2% in Havering. There were a number of factors that contributed to the increase, including the growth in housing, with more residents there would be more waste. The average cost in waste per year was £13 million, with a prediction that by 2027 this would rise to in excess of £20 million.
The waste levy rose by 5% each year, however this could rise by 10% each year depending on the level of waste. The officer stated that the new waste contract would need to be decided upon soon, together with how waste is reduced and what initiatives would assist in this process. Cost and environmental benefit needed to be considered, however these did not always go hand in hand.
It was noted that some of the largest contributors to waste include the large supermarkets, in there “buy one, get one free” campaigns, as this produces more packaging and often wasted food. The “Love Food, Hate Waste” campaign has helped the consumer, but there is still more that can be done. The Sub-Committee noted that it was people’s behaviour that needs to change.
Member raised issues with times of collections and the size of vehicles that were collecting. There were areas of the borough where parking had been restricted so that the lorries are able to access the roads, and some roads where the lorries are having to cross verges to gain access.
The Sub-Committee noted that recycling does not save any money in the current ELWA contract, it does divert from landfill, but is still subject to tonnage fees. The officer explained the hierarchy of waste stating that minimisation and re-use came before recycling.
The Sub-Committee noted that green waste customers had increased from 2013/14 to 22,289, this was short of the 22,500 target. Further work to promote and encourage usage would continue over the year.
Members raised concerns that about the number of green waste bags that were provided. At present there were 50 bags in a bundle, which was felt to be too many for residents with smaller gardens.
Members discussed the London Green Points scheme and how it worked. Members asked for details of the cost of the scheme and if it was of value to the borough.