Agenda item

Report ES11065

Members considered a final draft of the Environment Portfolio Plan for 2011/14 including information on 2010/11 performance.

Concerning the number of illegal fly-tipping incidents for 2010/11 recorded at page 5 of the draft plan, advice had been provided to the Chairman indicating that the figure quoted of 2886 probably exaggerated the scale of the problem due to a trialled change in definition of fly-tipping in the first half of the year which was discontinued; the data from the second half of the year indicated that the long-term trend of a decline in fly tipping had therefore continued.

With reference to the 2010/11 performance for Condition of Footway Surface at 18% (page 8) it was indicated that this figure was a sample-based estimate; a report on footway conditions would be provided in the autumn. The Assistant Director (Customer and Support Services) explained that definitions of principal and non-principal roads for the performance indicators at page 8 would be circulated. 

Referring to the commentary on transport improvements at pages 3 and 4 of the draft plan Councillor Grainger preferred to see (reduced) “journey times” rather than “congestion” which he felt could lead to anti-car measures. Councillor Grainger also referred to improving the flow of traffic through pinch points.

Referring to page 10 of the draft plan Councillor Grainger asked that the term “lower carbon emissions” be replaced with “less energy” and referring to page 11 Councillor Grainger asked whether the provision of cycle storage facilities could be included as he understood cycle theft to be a particular concern for cyclists. For school travel plans Councillor Grainger also asked how the effectiveness of such plans were measured.

Responding, the Assistant Director (Customer and Support Services) suggested that reference to “journey times” rather than “congestion” be included in the draft plan for next year. Reference to improving traffic flow through pinch points could also be made then. Use of the term “carbon emissions” was used in reports to the Executive covering this area, for example on carbon tax. To include reference on cycle storage it would first be necessary to ensure resources for the provision - the reference could then be looked at for next year. Concerning school travel plans Members were advised that many aspects were examined not solely how children went to school.

The Portfolio Holder endorsed comments from Councillor Grainger about use of the term “carbon”. He indicated that he would be looking to consider textual changes at approval stage of the Plan. The Portfolio Holder added that his personal view was not to have a Portfolio Plan but instead focus on outcomes. The Assistant Director (Customer and Support Services) indicated that provision of a Portfolio Plan adhered to Council corporate policy. Some National Indicators had been removed and some had survived upon which the Council was still required to publish its performance. However targets were no longer set by Government. Performance expectations were now exclusively local matters to be set by Bromley Members.

Referring to page 4 of the draft plan Councillor Wells was glad that the London Permit Scheme had been successfully introduced to Bromley. He highlighted that street works were taking place in Beckenham high street from June to November which would be for the third time in three years and Councillor Wells expressed his wish to see enforcement action taken.

Councillor Samaris Huntington-Thresher referred to the performance indicator for the percentage of children travelling to school by car noting that a target had been set at 31% for 2011/12 to 2013/14. In commenting on the target Councillor Huntington-Thresher felt there should be an aim to reduce the number of car journeys. The Assistant Director (Customer and Support Services) explained that the 2010/11 target was set as part of the Local Area Agreement and explained the background to it. The actual outturn had been at 31% and without additional investment a more demanding target could not be confidently set - it was a matter of holding the current position.

Councillor Huntington-Thresher also highlighted the targets for people killed/seriously injured in road accidents (NI 47). The Assistant Director advised that road safety targets should not be based on a single year’s experience. The Assistant Director recommended the Portfolio Plan targets for consistency, which would be the most demanding in London. He highlighted an amendment to paragraph 3.7.3 of Report ES11065 explaining that the final sentence should read: “The long-term objective proposed is to achieve, by 2020, a 35% reduction in injuries compared to the mean casualty rate over the period 2006/10”. 

The Portfolio Holder suggested that there were a number of factors in the case of road safety that could contribute to lower road casualty figures; he felt that if targets were required then it was necessary to have trends.

Referring to a street scene matter, Councillor Taylor highlighted a concern that had been passed to him by a resident involving the non-removal of wheelie bins from the edge of property curtilages. The resident had asked whether there could be a requirement for the bins to be removed within 24 hours of waste/recycling collection and Councillor Taylor referred to an inclusion of action in the Portfolio Plan for the removal of wheelie bins to maintain the street scene. Members were advised that waste operatives had commented that the matter was not a big problem and if such reports were received waste advisers would visit the residents concerned. There had not been many complaints on the issue but it could be looked at with Member agreement if it was seen to be a problem. The Chairman suggested that the Federation of Residents Associations be approached for their response in the first instance and this was agreed. 

Concerning street and environmental cleanliness, Councillor Fawthrop commented that his level of graffiti reporting had diminished and he felt that if there was now less graffiti there would be opportunity for more pro-active cleaning. The Chairman commented that pro-active cleaning had increased and it was possible to obtain figures. Responding, Councillor Fawthrop confirmed that he would be interested to see figures.

RESOLVED that the Portfolio Holder be recommended to take account of comments expressed by Committee Members in:

(1)  agreeing the scope, aims and outcomes proposed in the Portfolio Plan, taking into consideration the budget for 2011/14 which had already been agreed; and

(2)  agreeing the specific milestones and local performance expectations set out in the Plan, taking account of performance during 2009/10 and 2010/11.