Agenda item

To receive a demonstration on missed collections technology.

That the presentation be noted.

The Chairman welcomed and introduced Mr. Alex Rodda, Managing Director Trackyou Limited, and Ms Emma Goodall, National Account Manager Trackyou Limited, to the meeting and invited them to give a presentation on the Asset Tracking and Fleet Management System Trackyou.co.uk. 

            The Head of Streetscene Services provided background information and referred to the development of the Trackyou.co.uk system, the potential for the Authority and the anticipated financial savings from the new proposals.      He also commented on the increased use of the system to ensure that the Authority achieved full value from its vehicle equipment.

            Mr. Rodda provided background information concerning the company and advised that as a service provider Trackyou specialised in systems integration based around core products of Vehicle and Asset Tracking.  He explained that the system was used by many Local Authorities on collaborative projects to achieve financial savings and that he had worked with the Council for sometime on various projects to identify areas of concern and had developed technology to guide and instruct drivers.  Mr. Rodda gave an overview of the benefits of the technology and explained it had many applications and  technical possibilities to improve performance for the future.

            Ms. Goodall gave a detailed demonstration on the Trackyou system for waste and recycling collection. 

            The Head of Streetscene Services commented on the matter of assisted collections and referred to the improvements in this area as a result of the Trackyou system and the potential future benefits. He said that the system enabled the Service to be proactive in its response to service users and reduced the potential for complaints to be made

The Chairman thanked Mr. Rodda and Ms. Goodall for an interesting and informative presentation and invited Members to raise questions.

Councillor A.I. Dunbar expressed a number of concerns about assisted waste, kerbside collections, monitoring of properties, and collection from locations which were not accessible to Council vehicles. In his response the Head of Streetscene Services explained that operatives were not expected to open gates and enter properties to collect bins, however, if the operative was able to reach the bin from the rear of the footway then that should be done.  He confirmed that monitoring would continue for isolated cases.

Councillor C.A.Thomas raised a number of questions concerning the Trackyou system.  In response the Head of Streetscene explained that the tracking system was fully operational and was a cost met within the existing vehicle maintenance budget.  He also advised that contact centre staff had access to live real time information and that information on low participation for recycling was conveyed to the relevant officers. 

The Cabinet Member for Public Protection, Waste and Recycling gave an assurance that side waste would continue to be collected.  He advised that recycling participation was improving and therefore reducing side waste.  Recycling officers were visiting certain locations where participation was low to encourage residents to engage.  The Head of Streetscene Services commented that participation was not about individual monitoring but about perception.

Councillor D. Evans asked what arrangements were in place in the event of system failure and queried if the system could be a source of distraction to the driver of a vehicle.  Mr. Rodda confirmed that information would continue to be collected and stored on the devices and could be transferred once systems had been restored.  The Head of Streetscene Services advised that consultation had been undertaken with drivers and that the device was similar to using a sat nav system.

Councillor R. Hughes  raised concerns regarding kerbside collections and collection points in his ward.  The Head of Streetscene Services agreed to meet with Councillor Hughes following the meeting to resolve the specific issues raised.

Councillor A. Minshull commented that assisted collections had improved significantly in her ward.  She referred to a number of concerns which included the fee to replace a bin if stolen, whether operators who suffered from dyslexia were able to use the system, and if there were any plans to take action against people who refused to recycle.   The Head of Streetscene Services advised that the fee for replacement bins was an historic charge.  He confirmed that operators who were dyslexic were encouraged  to use the system and no problems had been experienced as operators worked in teams of 3.  

The Cabinet Member for Public Protection, Waste and Recycling said that it was anticipated that a new Waste Management Policy would be ready in the Autumn.  

Councillor P.J. Curtis expressed his congratulations to the Director of Environment and Officers on the significant improvement in waste and recycling collection.

The Chairman reiterated his thanks to Mr. Rodda and Ms. Goodall for their presentations and commented on the positive outcomes of the partnership work undertaken between the Authority and Trackyou Limited which was a local company which employed local people.

RESOLVED:

That the presentation be noted.