Issue - meetings

Presentation attached.

The presentation before members detailed the impact the Covid-19 pandemic had required Environmental Services to change its level of service.

Business Continuity plans had been enacted across services. From late March, all office based staff were told to work from home. Some staff were moved to support other work areas within the Council

A percentage of staff were ‘unable’ to work which reduced service levels and stopped some services and the council had to make use of agency staff in some areas.

There had been a loss of income across the service but it had been mainly Parking that had been affected..

There had also been a loss of external funding, mainly from Transport for London (TfL).

Change of patterns of work had taken place to allow staff to social distance.

With regards to Highways and Transport TfL funding was now only available for schemes supporting safe cycling and walking. Consultation on small  highways schemes had re-started.

Regarding parking the decision was made to make parking free in Council-owned car parks, CPZ’s  and on-street. There had been limited enforcement mainly for dangerous parking and yellow lines. Some enforcement officers had been moved to support other work. The loss of income was estimated to be (£3.5M over period).

The current situation was that enforcement of CPZ’s were reintroduced on 13 July. Charging for car parks and on-street was reintroduced with enforcement from 3August. There had been the Introduction of the new Ringo App for payment. 1hr free parking had been Introduced on-street & 20% discount with Ringo in car parks to support high streets. ‘Havering Hero’ permits were introduced to support key workers.

The immediate impact on waste and recycling had seen Serco experience an initial 30% loss of staff; and there had been a reliance on agency staff.Waste and recycling services were maintained on weekly collections.Garden waste and bulky waste collections ceased on 26 March in line with the Business Continuity Plan. There had been a significant increase in tonnages collected (42% following May Bank Holiday weekend)Gerpins Lane refuse and recycling centre had been closed by ELWA/Renewi.

With regards to the current situation regarding waste and recycling. Serco staffing levels were back to normal; crews were working in ‘bubbles’. Waste & recycling tonnages reduced but remained high (10% extra). Serco were now deploying more staff  Garden waste collections had been reinstated 13 April.Bulky waste collections were reinstated 1 June; with free collections for NHS shielding customersGerpins Lane had reopened on 11May, new arrangements were in place with less vehicles allowed on site and initially with traffic management in place.

The initial impact on estate cleansing services had been the Immediate loss of staffing (18%). New working arrangements were put in place to ensure staff safety including provision of PPE and a reduction of staff numbers in vehicles. There had also been a reduced amount of cleansing inside blocks.

Currently staff levels  ...  view the full minutes text for item 16