Agenda, decisions and minutes

There were no declarations of interest.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meetings held on 3 December 2014 and 26 January 2015.

That the minutes be received, approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

(i)         The minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 3 December 2014 were submitted.

(ii)        The minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 26 January 2015 were submitted.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes be received, approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

(a)       That the Committee recommends approval of the new Waste Collection Policy to the Cabinet with the recommendations as noted in the powerpoint presentation.

(b)       That the Hope Recycling Centre be open between 10.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday only

The Chief Officer (Streetscene and Transportation) introduced a report to seek a recommendation from the Committee to Cabinet to approve the changes to the Waste Collections Policy following the 2015/16 Business Planning process.  He provided background information and referred to the main considerations in the report which summarised the changes to the existing Policy. 

The Chief Officer introduced Harvey Mitchell, Waste Manager, and invited him to give a presentation on the review of the Waste Collections Policy.  The main points of the presentation were as follows:

·         Household Recycling Centre’s (HRC’s)

·         Missed collections

·         Garden Waste Service

·         Bulky Waste Service

·         7 day collections

·         Replacement containers

Councillor Cindy Hinds thanked the Community Councils for their contributions to the Workshops held the previous week.  She expressed concerns about Hope Recycling Centre and asked if it  could remain open at weekends.  The Chief Officer advised that the Centre had the lowest footfall and poorest recycling rates of all Centres. 

Councillor Nancy Matthews suggested that point 3.38 of the report relating to collections on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s day needed to be made clearer within the policy. Councillor Matthews also asked if the van permits could be extended to 4 sites.  She expressed concerns that the draft  policy still allowed for side waste to be collected, and said she was uncomfortable with the proposals for Sunday collections. 

The Chief Officer advised that Greenfield and Mold were the largest sites and additional staffing resources were made available.  He explained that there would be cost implications in relation to staffing for other sites to accommodate van permits.

Councillor Ian Dunbar sought clarification regarding yellow stickers on bins for assisted collections.   He advised that on occasions there were problems at the Connah's Quay site due to traffic queues when the skips were being emptied. 

The Cabinet Member for Waste Strategy, Public Protection & Leisure advised that  yellow stickers should no longer be in use.  He explained that assisted collections were agreed between the individual and the relevant team.  He acknowledged that servicing the sites had caused some problems but that every effort would be made to ensure that traffic continued to flow.

Councillor David Evans referred to the need to provide a household bill when collecting replacement containers.   He felt this was unnecessary and expressed concern that this  may create problems for residents and discourage them to recycle or result in fly-tipping.  He also requested data on fly tipping for Flintshire and emphasised the need to monitor fly-tipping if changes were implemented.   Councillor Evans emphasised the need for waste containers to be returned to their point of origin.

The Waste Manager stated that the cost of replacement containers was considerable.  He advised that historic data on fly tipping was available and would be included in performance reports in future.  He said it would be the responsibility of the charge-hand in future to ensure that the waste containers were returned appropriately.

Councillor Haydn Bateman expressed concerns regarding Sunday collections and asked which areas would be affected.  The  ...  view the full minutes text for item 44.

That the Committee recommends approval of the Council’s revised Grass

Cutting Policy to Cabinet with the recommendations as noted in the 

powerpoint presentation.

The Chief Officer (Streetscene and Transportation) introduced a report to seek a recommendation from the Committee to Cabinet to approve the changes to the Waste Collections Policy following the 2015/16 Business Planning process.  He provided background information and referred to the main considerations in the report which summarised the changes to the existing Policy. 

The Chief Officer introduced Harvey Mitchell, Waste Manager, and invited him to give a presentation on the review of the Waste Collections Policy.  The main points of the presentation were as follows:

·         Household Recycling Centre’s (HRC’s)

·         Missed collections

·         Garden Waste Service

·         Bulky Waste Service

·         7 day collections

·         Replacement containers

Councillor Cindy Hinds thanked the Community Councils for their contributions to the Workshops held the previous week.  She expressed concerns about Hope Recycling Centre and asked if it  could remain open at weekends.  The Chief Officer advised that the Centre had the lowest footfall and poorest recycling rates of all Centres. 

Councillor Nancy Matthews suggested that point 3.38 of the report relating to collections on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s day needed to be made clearer within the policy. Councillor Matthews also asked if the van permits could be extended to 4 sites.  She expressed concerns that the draft  policy still allowed for side waste to be collected, and said she was uncomfortable with the proposals for Sunday collections. 

The Chief Officer advised that Greenfield and Mold were the largest sites and additional staffing resources were made available.  He explained that there would be cost implications in relation to staffing for other sites to accommodate van permits.

Councillor Ian Dunbar sought clarification regarding yellow stickers on bins for assisted collections.   He advised that on occasions there were problems at the Connah's Quay site due to traffic queues when the skips were being emptied. 

The Cabinet Member for Waste Strategy, Public Protection & Leisure advised that  yellow stickers should no longer be in use.  He explained that assisted collections were agreed between the individual and the relevant team.  He acknowledged that servicing the sites had caused some problems but that every effort would be made to ensure that traffic continued to flow.

Councillor David Evans referred to the need to provide a household bill when collecting replacement containers.   He felt this was unnecessary and expressed concern that this  may create problems for residents and discourage them to recycle or result in fly-tipping.  He also requested data on fly tipping for Flintshire and emphasised the need to monitor fly-tipping if changes were implemented.   Councillor Evans emphasised the need for waste containers to be returned to their point of origin.

The Waste Manager stated that the cost of replacement containers was considerable.  He advised that historic data on fly tipping was available and would be included in performance reports in future.  He said it would be the responsibility of the charge-hand in future to ensure that the waste containers were returned appropriately.

Councillor Haydn Bateman expressed concerns regarding Sunday collections and asked which areas would be affected.  The  ...  view the full minutes text for item 45.

That the Committee recommends approval of the Council’s revised Street

Lighting Policy to Cabinet with the recommendations as noted in the 

powerpoint presentation.

The Chief Officer (Streetscene and Transportation) introduced a report to seek a recommendation from the Committee to Cabinet to approve the Council’s revised Street Lighting Policy.  He provided background information and referred to the changes to the existing Policy which were summarised in the report.   

The Chief Officer introduced Darrell Jones, Street Lighting Manager, and invited him to give a presentation on the review of the Council’s Street Lighting Policy.  The main points of the presentation were around the proposed amendments and the summary and outcome of recent workshops.

Councillor Ray Hughes referred to the repair/attendance timeframe and asked that Councillors be kept informed so that they could respond to the queries raised by residents.  The Street Lighting Manager advised there was already a process in place which should ensure that Councillors were being kept informed and he asked that Members make him aware of any local issues which arose.

Councillor Haydn Bateman asked what consultation would take place with regard to determining sensitive areas.  The Street Lighting Manager advised that the areas would be determined in consultation with the Local Councillors, Town and Community Councils, and the blue light services. 

RESOLVED:

That the Committee recommends approval of the Council’s revised Street

Lighting Policy to Cabinet with the recommendations as noted in the 

powerpoint presentation.

That the item be deferred until a future meeting of the Committee.

The Chief Officer (Streetscene and Transportation) introduced a report to seek a recommendation from the Committee to Cabinet to approve the Council’s Car Parking Strategy and the introduction of parking charges at all viable car parks within the ownership of the Council.   The report also sought a recommendation from the Committee to Cabinet to approve a workplace parking permit scheme at specific facilities where staff parking overlaps with the local parking strategy

The Chief Officer provided background information and referred to the main considerations which were summarised in the report.   

The Chief Officer introduced Joanna Jones, Parking Manager, and invited her to give a presentation on the Car Parking Strategy.  The main points of the presentation were as follows:

• Proposal
• Local Strategies aims
• Feedback and outcome of recent workshops.

Councillor Ray Hughes spoke in support of the revenue raised through car parking  charges being retained within the Authority in the current financial climate. He added that the Authority held responsibility for the maintenance of the car parks not Town and Community Councils.

The Cabinet Member for Environment emphasised that the figure of 10% proposed was after all monies for upkeep, wear and tear etc. had been deducted. 

Councillor Nancy Matthews referred to the issue of prohibited return and expressed great concern at this proposal.  She also felt there should be a standardisation of fees across the County and disagreed with the proposal to introduce grade related parking at County Hall and emphasised that charges  should be in line with parking elsewhere in the County. 

Councillor Peter Curtis reiterated the view that there should be a standardisation of charges across the County.  He referred to the current arrangement in Holywell where there were no car parking charges on days when special events were held in the town.  He commented on the need to regenerate business in the area and requested that the current dispensation on car parking charges continued in the future.  The Cabinet Member for Environment did not anticipate a blanket approach with regard to free  car parking during special events and said that each case  could be considered individually.

Councillor Chris Dolphin spoke against the introduction of a workplace charging scheme at County Hall.  He commented that the proposal was to introduce an affordable and equitable charging scheme and expressed the view that this should exclude employees who earned an income of £16k and below.

Councillor Dolphin referred to residents parking permits and asked what was the cost of the permit.  The Parking Manager advised that the proposed fee was in the range of £25 to £30. 

Councillor David Evans proposed that the item be deferred for consideration to a future meeting of the Committee due to the lack of clarity around the proposals put forward.  The Chair asked if the Committee wished to hold a special meeting to consider the item and when put to the vote this was agreed.    

RESOLVED

That the item be deferred until a future meeting of the Committee.

That the Forward Work Programme be agreed.

The Environment & Social Care Overview & Scrutiny Facilitator introduced a report to enable the Committee to consider the Forward Work Programme.

Members reviewed the current programme and agreed that the following items be considered at the next meeting:

·         Bus subsidy review and demand responsive transport

·         Draft Improvement Plan 2015/16

The Facilitator drew attention to the invitation which had been extended to the Housing Overview & Scrutiny Committee concerning Viable and Vibrant Communities on 24 March 2015 and the site visit to the Household Recycling Centre based at Sandycroft which would take place on 31 March 2015.

RESOLVED: 

That the Forward Work Programme be agreed.

There was one member of the press in attendance.