Report ES18003

Members considered a six-month update on progress against aims/commitments in the latest 2017/20 Environment Portfolio Plan.

Particular highlights outlined to Members included:

·  98.6% (rather than 90%) of streets in the first six months of 2017-18 meeting acceptable cleanliness standards;

·  74% public satisfaction with the cleanliness of streets in 2017/18 (increasing from 71% in 2016/17); 

·  fewer fly-tipping incidents in the first two quarters of 2017/18 compared to the previous three years;

·  23,660 Green Garden Waste customers (an increase of 12% on the same period last year);

·  49.63% of household waste recycled/composted for the first six months of 2017/18 with a 50% target for the second six months of 2017/18;

·  total amount of waste landfilled at an all-time low;

·  over ten illegal traveller incursions into LBB parks and open spaces dealt with by L B Bromley, Ward Security and the Police;

·  public realm schemes progressing to timetable and budget for Beckenham High Street, Penge High Street, Bromley High Street  and Walnuts Shopping Centre, Orpington;

·  the number of Fixed Penalty Notices and Defect Notices issued to Utilities has fallen;

·  measures to help reduce congestion;

·  fewer parking appeals against PCNs issued by L B Bromley heard by London Tribunals (formerly PATAS). 

The Portfolio Holder also referred to leaf clearance last autumn, street cleansing, parks and greenspace, recycling, and residual household waste. The Priority 1 Audit recommendations were addressed or almost addressed and a budget underspend was projected for the Portfolio. Traffic schemes were also progressing and consultation was near completion for two cycle Quietway schemes through the borough (Lower Sydenham to Bromley and Kent House to Greenwich).

It was necessary for the Portfolio to achieve as well as possible - little scope existed for further efficiencies but incentivising contractors might assist. Challenges included the Mayor of London’s aim to make London a zero waste city and by 2026 the Mayor intends that no biodegradable or recyclable waste is sent to landfill. In this regard, private waste contractors (e.g. Biffa) might help by taking recyclable material from trade waste. The Mayor also intends that 65% of London’s municipal waste is recycled by 2030. Another potential challenge concerned vehicles not meeting Ultra Low Emission Zone standards in central London moving to outer London boroughs and measures might be necessary to limit such a risk. 

Reasons for a reduced level of fly-tipping this year included: effective working between the Council and Police; seizure of vehicles owned and used by offenders; more evidence at national level; issuing Fixed Penalty Notices; and fly-tip offenders being taken to court.

To further promote the Green Garden Waste Scheme, the Chairman suggested that information is included with annual Council Tax letters and asked if this could be explored.

A successful waste treatment trial had been conducted at a specialist Mechanical Biological Treatment (MBT) plant during 2016/17 (by 30^th September 2017, 5539t of waste had been diverted from landfill to MBT) and the Council will further develop the programme in 2017/18. Using mechanical and biological processes to sort waste,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 47