Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies were received from Councillor Chloe Jane Ross and Councillor Julie Ireland attended as substitute.

It was noted that there was a mis-spelling with respect to the minute regarding Chislehurst War Memorial.

Post Meeting Note: 

This was corrected on 17^th June.

A Member referred to a response to a question from a member of the public, where the response that was provided was that the member of the public was referred to an earlier report.  He asked if this practice could be avoided and a fuller response be supplied to questioners. He suggested that what could also be considered was a copy and paste of relevant text, or a link to the appropriate report. The Chairman said that he saw no reason why this could not be done. 

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 13^th March 2024 be agreed as a correct record. 

Councillor Alison Stammers declared an interest as a founder member and Secretary of the Friends of Chislehurst Recreation Ground.

Councillor Simon Fawthrop declared an interest as a driver of an electric vehicle.

In accordance with the Council’s Constitution, questions that are not specific to reports on the agenda must have been received in writing 10 working days before the date of the meeting. Please ensure therefore, that questions that are not specific to the agenda are received by the Democratic Services Team by 5 pm on Wednesday, 29^th May 2024.

Questions specifically seeking clarification of reports on the agenda should be received within two working days of the normal publication date of the agenda.  Please ensure that questions specifically on reports on the agenda are received by the Democratic Services Team by 5 pm on Thursday, 6^th June 2024.

Members of the public can ask one question each. Please clarify if you want to ask your question at the meeting or require a written response. Questioners should provide their home address and limit the question to 50 words.

No oral questions from the public were received.

Four oral questions from Councillors were received. The questions and responses are appended to the minutes.   

Three written questions were received from members of the public.

The questions and responses are appended to the minutes.

CSD24059

It was noted that the oldest pothole recorded was with respect to 96 Elmers End Road, which had been outstanding for 175 days. This was because of issues relating to traffic management which had not yet been resolved. A Member requested that there should be a follow up report with respect to performance improvements made by Riney presented to the September committee. The Director of Environment and Public Protection responded that there was a report going to the September committee concerning future options for highway maintenance contracts and that this information could be incorporated into the report and any concerns could be discussed then. The report would consider re-tendering options. The Director commented that the Council was negotiating a way forward with Riney and that marginal improvements had been achieved.

A Member drew attention to works that needed to be completed by Riney a second time and asked how much this was costing the Council. The Director responded that any costs would be borne by the contractor.

A Member pointed out that during the previous year, weekly updates with respect to works undertaken by Riney was passed on to residents which was very helpful. He asked if this information could be reinstated. The Portfolio Holder for Transport, Highways and Road Safety responded in the affirmative and said that he would ensure this was done. It was noted that the performance update from Riney was scheduled for the November meeting and the Portfolio Holder asked if this performance update report could be moved to September instead. The Director responded that the work programme could be adjusted accordingly. It was noted that the Council kept records of works that had to be undertaken a second time by Riney and Members were informed that the target was for 90% of works to be completed on time.

RESOLVED that the report be noted and that the Annual Performance Report from Riney be brought forward from November to September.

A Member asked if an update could be provided concerning the cost of the repair work required for Kelsey Park Bridge, along with an approximate time scale for the completion of works. The Assistant Director for Environment (Carbon Management and Greenspace) responded that the Council was now re-engaging the market with a live new tender process. This would be completed at the end of the first week in July and then a contractor appointed over the summer under delegated authority. There were currently no changes to the budget, but this would be subject to review when the new tenders were returned.

A Member expressed concerns with respect to the timescale for the presentation of the Depot Infrastructure Capital Works update report. She was concerned that insufficient time would be provided for consultation with councillors and local residents. The Environment Portfolio Holder confirmed  that it would not be possible for the Waldo Road site to be customer facing when the required works were being undertaken. Therefore during the period of the works it would cease to be a public facing site and residents would have to use Churchfields in Beckenham if they wanted to deposit waste materials.  The Member suggested that a booking system be implemented at Churchfields during this period. The Assistant Director for Environment (Waste, Street Cleansing and Enforcement)  clarified that the tender award would be made in September but it would be early 2025 before any works were initiated. A Member suggested that during the period of the maintenance work at Waldo Road, the Civic Centre Car Park could be used as a location where the public could deposit waste on a temporary basis. The Portfolio Holder confirmed that all options would be considered.

It was noted that an air quality report would come to the September meeting and that the initial draft was with the GLA for ratification.

RESOLVED that the update from the Environment Portfolio Holder be noted.

The Portfolio Holder for Transport, Highways and Road Safety informed Members that the next meeting of the London Road Safety Council would not take place in Bromley after all, but would be taking place in the City of London. It was further noted that the meeting of the Public Transport Liaison Group had been postponed and it was hoped that the meeting would take place instead either in September or October. 

A Member thanked Elaine Beadle for organising the ‘Driven by Consequences’ presentations. She requested that in these presentations, the word ‘accident’ be replaced by ‘collision’ or ‘crash’ instead. 

A Member raised the matter of the increase in resident parking permit charges. It was clarified that the price increases had come into force since 1^st April 2024. This had been reported originally to the ECS PDS Committee in November 2022.

RESOLVED that the update from the Portfolio Holder for Transport, Highways and Road Safety be noted.

Portfolio Holder decisions for pre-decision scrutiny.

ES20386

A Member expressed concern that there had been no significant decrease in the number of KSIs. She asked if she could have a meeting with the Assistant Director for Traffic and Parking and this was agreed. A Member expressed disappointment that the data provided only went as far as February.

A Member expressed the view that the Council should not keep saying that ‘we are doing well’ when people were  being killed and seriously injured. She asked if a report could be provided regarding policy changes that the Council could lobby the Government for to reduce KSIs. The Portfolio Holder for Transport, Highways and Road Safety explained that funding was finite.  It was a fact that the Council had to bid to TfL for money to undertake works. He explained that the Council had not received any money from TfL to deal with the major road network since 2018, and therefore he had to redirect other Council funds to deal with pot-holes. The Member reiterated her request for a report on policy changes that the Council could lobby the government for to reduce KSIs and the Chairman said that this could be looked into. It was also noted that bids to TfL for funding had to be properly researched and the Council had to follow TfL funding guidelines. The Portfolio Holder for Transport, Highways and Road Safety explained that the first thing to consider was whether or not there was a possible engineering solution, sometimes there was not. If there was, then the Council would have to apply to TfL for the money to undertake a survey. After this, engineers would draw up plans. The total project time for a pedestrian crossing could be three years.

RESOLVED that the ECS Performance Overview report be noted and that the Portfolio Holders be recommended to endorse the outcomes, aims and performance measures as outlined in the report. 

ES20390

A Member asked if schools had recycling facilities. The Head of Environmental Strategy, Technical Support and Commissioning responded that some schools had paper collections, but in general this was not taking place as schools were classed as commercial entities. The Member expressed some concern at this, as he felt it would be beneficial to encourage young people to be responsible citizens. It was noted that the Council was in talks with Veolia in the hope that this practice could be implemented in the future. It was noted that the number of diffusion tubes monitoring nitrogen dioxide had been increased. Eythan Soysa from BYC (Bromley Youth Council), informed Members that Saint Olave’s had undertaken dry mixed recycling since the 2021/22 academic year and was raising funding for a food composter.

The Portfolio Holder for Transport, Highways and Road Safety drew attention to the Crossover Working Group which was intended to be a one off working party, and he asked for volunteers. The volunteers were as follows:

·  Cllr Alisa Igoe

·  Cllr Alison Stammers

·  Cllr Adam Grant

·  Cllr Keith Onslow

·  Cllr Will Rowlands

·  Cllr Nicholas Bennett

A Member noted that the report mentioned the likelihood of increased localised flooding and he queried what the evidence base for this was. It was noted that any blocked drains could be reported on FMS. The matter of recycling for flats above shops was also mentioned and it was the case that currently no further progress had been made regarding this, but it was planned for this to be considered as part of the extension of the Veolia contract.

A Member queried how the EV gulley charging scheme was progressing and the matter of autonomous vehicles was also raised. It was pointed out that progress regarding autonomous vehicles was not straightforward, as it would involve changes to the road network which were complex and also to communication systems. Members were informed that the gulley charging scheme trial had been successful and the Council was heading to market and would progress with implementation as soon as practically possible.

A Member pointed out that to refer to ‘net zero’ on its own in the draft plan was misleading, because the Council had only agreed to pursue net zero on direct emissions. The Member requested that this be made clear in the report. He also referred to the various cycling schemes mentioned in the report and expressed the view that such cycling schemes should be demand led. He asked if this could also be made clear in the final Portfolio Plan.  He referenced the cycling scheme in Crofton Road which he said had cost in the region of £1m but was very much underused.

Councillor Onslow requested that any previous reports with respect to EV charging gulleys be emailed to him for his information. A discussion took place as to whether or not crossovers and gulleys were interconnected.

It was pointed out that London had a Route 7 bus route which used hydrogen fuelled buses, but due to current  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10b

CSD24074

RESOLVED that the Portfolio Holder for Environment be recommended to agree the appointments to the Countryside Consultative Panel and the Leisure Gardens and Allotments Panel.

FSD24040

A Member stated that he had requested parking data but had not received the information. The Director for Environment and Public Protection asked the Member to re-send the original correspondence so that he could investigate further. He also suggested that perhaps a face to face meeting may be appropriate. 

The Portfolio Holder for Transport, Highways and Road Safety pointed out that the budget had been over spent by £257k and that the Council had to operate within budget. The Council was facing a potential £39 million deficit by 2027/2028.

RESOLVED that the Portfolio Holders be recommended to endorse the 2023/24 outturn position for the Environment and Community Services Portfolio.

ES20926

It was clarified that the vehicles used for parking enforcement were the property of APCOA. A Member enquired when Members would be able to input into the new contract. It was explained that the contract would not be operational until 2027 and at the moment officers were simply seeking approval to renew the Shared Services Collaboration Agreement. There would be ample scope later to provide comments regarding the finer details and scope of the extended contract.

The Vice Chairman expressed her thanks for early sight of the report. The Portfolio Holder for Transport, Highways and Road Safety said that the Shared Services Collaboration Agreement for parking services with Bexley had been a success and had delivered considerable cost savings to the council.

RESOLVED that the recommendations of the report be agreed.

ES20394

Members were informed that the Council now had a four tree officers and there was also an Arboricultural Services Support Officer who was in the process of becoming accredited as a fully qualified tree officer.

RESOLVED that the Executive be recommended to approve the recommendations proposed in the report.

ES20395

RESOLVED that the Environment and Community Services PDS Committee note the progress made on the delivery of the Platinum Jubilee Parks Fund and also note the change in the decision maker.

RESOLVED that the ECS Contracts Register report be noted.

ES20388

The committee reviewed and discussed the ECS Risk Register.

RESOLVED that the ECS Risk Register report be noted.

Members noted the Part 2 (confidential) Contracts Database Extract.

RESOLVED that the Part 2 Contracts Database Extract be noted.   

ES 20394

Members noted the Part 2 (Confidential) report regarding the contract awards for additional Arboricultural Services Suppliers.

RESOLVED that Members support the officer recommendations to the Executive as detailed in the report. 

A discussion took place regarding the Riney Contract in the Part 2 section of the meeting.