Agenda item

Report ES12086

Report ES12086 recommended the final draft of the Environment Portfolio Plan for 2012/15, including information on performance in 2011/12.

Initially a number of questions were put to the Portfolio Holder and his responses and those of officers providing detailed advice covered a number of points including those summarised below:

• Achieving excellence for residents is paramount;
• Concerning the new street cleaning contract, contingency measures/funding could be utilised if necessary;
• From the Portfolio Holder’s observations there was an improvement in street cleaning;
• Residents, Street Friends and Councillors could report street cleaning concerns as necessary;
• For street cleaning there was the challenge of the new contract - there had been significant changes in the contract and a preliminary assessment could be provided at the Committee’s meeting in November;
• Concerning how expansion of the Street Friends scheme and forging greater links with Friends of Parks could be measured i.e. qualitative and not just quantitative, it was explained that the aim for the coming year was a “broad brush” objective for Friends;
• Rather than have a suggested new measure for detritus based on a lack of litter, it was recommended that the same definitions are used as other authorities and by so doing there was a keenness that Bromley is seen to be ahead of others on its performance of this measure – a value judgement of detritus against litter was not being sought but instead officers would report on both;
• CIPFA statistics indicated that Bromley was the best performer amongst similar boroughs for street cleaning and demonstrated best value for money.

In further debate more questions were asked and points made. Councillor Bennett indicated his support for the Portfolio Holder’s general views on targets. Councillor Bennett was not supportive of the 2012 target for people killed/seriously injured (KSI) in road accidents (NI147) at no more than 123 when the actual figure for 2011 was 81. 

Concerning an aim for the coming year of lobbying for extensions of the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) and Tramlink into the borough, Councillor Bennett felt that more flesh was needed to the body of this and that it should be a matter for discussion. Councillor Bennett also asked that references to “transportation” be removed in favour of “transport” and felt that there could be reference in the Plan to the removal of street signs and clutter. He advised that the Beckenham and West Wickham Working Group had recommended a reduction of street clutter and by way of example highlighted that a bus stop could be affixed to a lamp post; a street scene policy was needed he felt. 

Responding to Councillor Bennett’s points, the Portfolio Holder highlighted that KSI rates were falling much faster. The figures were “re-tightened” last year and TfL were going to review their approach; officers indicated that Members should expect to see refreshed targets next year. 

On DLR/Tramlink, the Portfolio Holder reported that he had met TfL representatives and had discussed issues and relative merits of Tramlink coming into the borough. The Portfolio Holder referred to Bromley’s preference for having some form of connection into Bromley North or Bromley South as a minimum. The Mayor of London seemed keen to progress either or both schemes and it was necessary to lobby for either or both schemes. The Portfolio Holder highlighted that one option could comprise an extension of the DLR to Catford; allowing passengers to change there to the Bromley South Blackfriars line, or to the Hayes Line at Catford Bridge. The Portfolio Holder indicated that he did not support an extension of the Bakerloo line to Hayes - this was strongly opposed.

On Tramlink, Councillor Bennett felt that it was necessary to be cautious about opposing a link to Crystal Palace suggesting that it might be possible to link up to such a route in the long term. If running Tramlink, Councillor Bennett felt that it was needed in new areas. The Portfolio Holder referred to residents of the borough being served as a first interest and he felt that it was necessary to have as many diverse routes as possible. As an example the Portfolio Holder highlighted that trams used to operate along Downham Way and perhaps they could run parallel to Bellingham. He added that TfL’s thinking would be driven by a business case.

Councillor Samaris Huntington-Thresher felt that the level of fly tipping should be monitored given a drop in trade waste custom following associated price increases – this so that any action could be taken sooner rather than later. Councillor Samaris Huntington-Thresher also referred to the targets associated with the Performance Indicator on adaption to a changing climate. She sought clarification on the meaning of the targets for adaption and the reference to “Due July” for actual performance in 2011/12. Officers indicated that there were five levels of preparedness (starting with Level 0 up to Level 4). The definitions would be circulated. Some discussions were also being held with public health colleagues. For future plans, it was necessary to give further consideration to more detail on the level of changing climate preparedness.

Referring to the 2011/12 Final Progress Report for the Portfolio, Councillor Reg Adams highlighted that the number of deaths and serious injuries on Bromley’s roads declined further in 2011, continuing a long term trend. He supported earlier comments from Councillor Bennett on target setting for the performance indicator of people killed or seriously injured in road accidents. Officers had held back from recommending an adjustment to the approach this year in view of the review by TfL. The Portfolio Holder highlighted the importance of the trend on road accident statistics.

On Tramlink, Councillor Adams was encouraged that the Portfolio Holder was not opposed to a link to Crystal Palace and the East London line. He felt that extending Tramlink to Crystal Palace had an effect for areas such as Kelsey and Elmers End. 

Concerning Street Cleansing, Councillor Fookes highlighted a resident’s enquiry as to why only one half of a road had been cleaned. He also suggested more use of social media and highlighted that autumn leaves remaining in spring was poor. On recycling Councillor Fookes questioned whether it was now timely to consider a monthly service or for recycling boxes to be shared. Concerning on-street based collection facilities, the Chairman indicated that the concept of one bin for each street had been considered by the Waste Minimisation Working Group but it was felt that such an approach would not be supported by residents.

On paper collection, the Portfolio Holder referred to an aspiration to access funding from the Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG) related to past announcements by the Secretary of State on weekly waste/recycling collections. It would be necessary to ensure that a weekly collection generates income for the authority; to contribute towards the cost of a weekly paper collection a funding bid could be submitted to the DCLG. For textiles, the Portfolio Holder advised that it was an aspiration to include flats in the collections.

Concerning street cleaning, the Portfolio Holder acknowledged that cleaning suffered in heavily parked streets. A database had been compiled of such roads and street cleaners visited them when the best quality of cleaning could be undertaken. This provided better value for money. 

Generally, Councillor Jefferys felt that a Performance Indicator should reflect what success looked like and suggested using phrases such as “no more than”, “fewer accidents” i.e. “more of” or “fewer”. He supported the removal of targets and use of the above words instead.  

Councillor Grainger sought clarification of the aim to “Consolidate the borough-wide implementation of our Recycling for All policy”. Concerning the aim to “Commence a new street lighting programme to replace 8,000 old lamp columns during 2012/14”,  Councillor Grainger sought to emphasise his view that the oldest columns should be replaced rather than undertake a blanket replacement of all light columns in a road. Concerning cycling, Councillor Grainger highlighted the need for cyclists to have somewhere to park/store their bicycle at their destination. On adapting to a changing climate, Councillor Grainger referred to a consequence of having colder weather.

In response to points made it was explained that the Council’s aim in using social media was to inform rather than engage in debate. The Council was expanding its use of social media. In response to other points made, reference was made to “Recycling for All” and reporting on progress against the Portfolio Plan at half and end year points. Reference was also made to the 2011/12 Final Progress Report for holding the Portfolio to account. Additionally, Members were advised that cycle storage was something that could be considered for inclusion in next year’s Portfolio Plan.

The Vice-Chairman suggested having a link for children on the Council’s website about picking up litter. This could provide some fun but also convey a serious message that children had a responsibility towards reducing litter. She added that this message could be put to children at a young age. The Portfolio Holder suggested that other local authorities might perhaps be doing this which could be helpful for Bromley; he also suggested that the message of litter abatement could also possibly go via schools to children. The Portfolio Holder saw this as perhaps a good opportunity to convey such a message in view of voluntary developments such as snow friends and their links with schools.

RESOLVED that the Portfolio Holder be recommended to:

(1)  confirm the aims and outcomes proposed in the Portfolio Plan, taking into consideration the budget for 2012/13 which has already been agreed; and

(2)  agree the specific milestones and local performance expectations set out in the Plan, taking account of performance during 2010/11 and 2011/12.