Agenda item

This report sets out the Council's progress in delivering the corporate objectives from April 2020 to December 2020.  This is to ensure that members have the most up to date information possible.

Members considered the Progress of Corporate Priority – Environment report presented by Councillor Murphy. 

Councillor Murphy added his grateful thanks to the workforce and volunteers who have gone the extra two miles to keep the refuse service functioning and ensured ongoing customer satisfaction. Councillor Mason added his appreciation to all staff for their hard work in such challenging conditions. Councillor Miscandlon said as Chairman of Fenland District Council he would like to endorse these comments and offered his gratitude and thanks to all staff.

Members made comments, asked questions and received responses as follows:

1.    Councillor Booth noted the 28% household waste recycling rate and asked what is being done to improve that rate and how do we compare against other councils. Councillor Murphy said COVID-19 has affected the recycling rates. However, a new bin app has been created which can be used to see what products can be recycled and this is being widely advertised. We also have a successful garden waste service which is more highly subscribed then ever. The aim is to increase the recycling rate and we try to educate customers whose recycling bins are rejected due to misuse.

2.    Councillor Purser said he too wished to thank to all the refuse staff who have kept the service running during the pandemic and praised the new bin app. He said it is very simple and easy to use and a brilliant piece of work and congratulated those behind it. Councillor Murphy thanked Councillor Purser.

3.    Councillor Wicks said he would also like to complement the Recycling Officer for all the work she has continued to undertake on new recycling initiatives at this time. He asked Councillor Murphy what is being done in respect of known individuals in the area responsible for fly-tipping. Councillor Murphy said that it is unfortunate that we have seen an increase in fly-tipping during this pandemic but it is very difficult to take action against known offenders if we do not have people willing to make witness statements. Unfortunately, we cannot take people to court without backup. The only alternative is for us to catch offenders in the act and this is extremely difficult.

4.    Councillor Count said the clause in the corporate strategy is to ‘improve our environment’. He said this should be at no detriment to existing facilities. He raised concerns about moorings at West End park which have been taped off for some while and would like to enquire about what is happening with these. Councillor Mrs French responded that she has already made enquiries about these moorings and officers are looking into this.

5.    Councillor Miscandlon asked where we are in respect of car parking enforcement. Councillor Mrs French said we are making progress and she hopes to bring an update to Cabinet in March. The timescale for this will be between 18-24 months.

6.      Councillor Purser asked if there are any policies regarding recycling old laptops to share with school children and if not, can anything be done about that. Councillor Tierney replied that although a good idea, he had looked into this and it was not as simple as seemed. There is a cost element to preparing old laptops for re-use, they need to be data cleansed, cleared of any viruses, upgraded in many cases and not all models can take the current operating systems. However, he is aware that County Council may have initiated a project. Councillor Count confirmed there is partner project lined up. There will be drop off points such as libraries where people can donate their old laptops and a team of volunteers will be available to strip down the hard drives. A facility will be available for financial support in terms of assistance. Further information will be provided on this and he would be grateful for the assistance of FDC to promote it. 

7.    Councillor Cornwell asked if Streetscene officers were still monitoring and undertaking enforcement on overstayers on the river moorings in March town centre. Carol Pilson said that the team are continuing enforcement activity on FDC-owned moorings, but their attention has been diverted onto other projects because of COVID-19. However, we can instigate a process to deal with issues if reported to us. Some moorings are owned by Middle Level who have recently made some changes to the byelaws and will be dealing with the issues they have on their own assets. Councillor Mrs French said that efforts are being made to improve the town, including the river to make it more accessible for people and upgrading of the moorings is required, the area badly needs enhancing, it is in a state, and she will push for support from Middle Level at the next meeting of the IDB. 

8.    Councillor Count said it would be good to know that our policies and enforcement are aligned with Middle Level on this matter. There are boats that should be moved on and when matters return to normal would certainly like to see greater enforcement and joint action between FDC and Middle Level. With all the transformation work and money about to be spent on the town centre this is the ideal time to work to enhance the moorings so that they do not let the town down.

The Overview and Scrutiny Panel considered the progress made by the Council in delivering the corporate objectives in the Business Plan.