Issue - meetings

The Sub-Committee considered a report which detailed the remit of Environmental Services.

The Assistant Director of Environment handed out to Members a briefing document which detailed the services provided by the service.

The service was broken down into four areas these included:

Public Realm

Waste and External contracts

Grounds Maintenance

Street Cleansing

Estate Services

Parks and Open Spaces

Highways Traffic and Parking Group

Maintaining the boroughs roads and footways

Parking enforcement

Design and implementation of traffic and parking schemes (including controlled parking zones)

Design and implementation of road safety, traffic calming schemes

Coordination of streetworks on the highway

Direct service outfit carrying out highways works

Enforcement

Manage Traveller Incursion on Parks and Open Spaces & Public Highway including resident’s complaints.

Enforce the Fly Grazing of Horses Notice on Bretons Field (removal of horses) 

Respond to increased levels (during Summer) of reported ASB in Parks and Open spaces (breaches of by-laws, riding motor bikes/mopeds, poaching, camping etc)

Investigating and tackling domestic fly tipping  on the public highway   

Investigation and removal of abandoned vehicles

Responding to complaints of ASB on Estates (higher during summer months)

Delivering the Clutter programme for Housing Department (Post Grenfell Fire – removal of clutter from communal stairwells)

Review of CCTV equipment and potential to work ‘smarter’ with local police

Public Protection

Air Quality, Contaminated Land, Noise on construction sites

Nuisance noise, smoke, odour

Drainage on private land

Enforcement for pest infestations

Private Sector Housing – licensing and disrepair

Filthy & Verminous properties

Underage Sales of tobacco, alcohol, knives

Doorstep crime, Counterfeit and unsafe products

Licensing and Health & Safety inspections

Food safety inspections, infectious diseases, animal welfare

In response to a question relating to the provision of an out of hours noise service, Officers confirmed that the Council did not currently provide this service.

Members asked if they could visit the Council’s depot in Upper Rainham Road to see it in operation. Officers undertook to arrange a site visit.

The Sub-Committee noted the contents of the report and the presentation.