Issue - meetings

Report ES17035

Members considered the draft 2017/20 Environment Portfolio Plan setting out the Portfolio’s key service outcomes, associated issues (service drivers), aims, and performance measures.

The Portfolio Plan further included actual 2016/17 performance along with information on historic performance for the past three years and targets for the next three years. A six-month progress update would be provided to the Committee’s meeting on 30^th January 2018. 

For littering and dog fouling offences it was confirmed that officers aim to carry out mapping of hot spots where penalty notices are often issued. It was also highlighted that cages erected around young g trees (for their protection) can often be wrongly used for the deposit of litter.

It was also suggested that performance indicators (targets) for the percentage of roads to be considered for maintenance (NI 168) be lowered for future years. This was to reflect the current level of capital investment for improving the condition of highways and reducing revenue expenditure on reactive and planned maintenance. The Chairman felt that it was necessary for some of the targets in the Plan to be tighter.

In regard to enforcement against fly-tipping, CCTV surveillance can be used at locations (including lanes) with prior authority obtained under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA). Independent surveillance material/film from individuals can also be used for enforcement subject to an individual being prepared to give evidence at court. 

The 2016/17 recycling rate for L B Bromley was confirmed as 48.47%; London-wide, L B Bromley provided the best value for money on recycling. 

A summary of service contracts was also appended to Report ES17035; as recommended in the report, the Chairman invited Members to look at the contracts and consider those appropriate for scrutiny in the year ahead. Although the contracts database had yet to be fully rolled out to Members (priority needed for an internal audit recommendation on waivers and developing a new authorising system for contract extensions), it was already possible for Members to view contract details (the information currently being quality assured). Member training would be available on interrogating the database.

RESOLVED that:

(1)  Committee Members consider the contracts list at Appendix 2 to Report ES17035 for views on contracts to be considered for scrutiny in 2017/18; and

(2)  the Environment Portfolio Holder be recommended to –

·  endorse the outcomes, aims and performance measures set out in the draft 2017/20 Environment Portfolio Plan (Appendix 1 to Report ES17035) taking into account the 2017/18 budget and views of the Committee; and

·  delegate to the Director of Environment and Community Services, in consultation with the Environment Portfolio Holder and Environment PDS Chairman, authority to review and amend targets in the Portfolio Plan as considered necessary.