Agenda item

Report ES13122

The report outlined progress at the half-year stage against commitments made in the 2013/14 Environment Portfolio Plan. Members raised the following issues –

(a)  Kerbside Collection of Textiles - This was still being investigated to find the most suitable methodology. The existing waste collection vehicles did not have an additional container for textiles, while a separate dedicated collection would be expensive.  Despite the delay income targets were still being met from the bring-banks. The Portfolio Holder pointed out that income from bring-banks would drop when kerbside collection started. 

(b)  Recycling of Carpets - Collection facilities for carpets at Waldo Road and Churchfields Road were being considered, but the variety of materials in carpets meant that this was not straightforward.

(c)  Organic Waste – The Portfolio Holder reported that there was broad cross-party support for AD facilities at London Councils and confidence that pollution controls were adequate, but there was usually local opposition.  Councillor Grainger asked whether there was a possibility of building smaller, more local AD plants.

(d)  Transport Strategy - Councillor Peter Fookes suggested that there was a need for a transport strategy statement that took into account the aims for extending the DLR to Bromley and Tramlink to Crystal Palace.

(e)  Leaf Clearance - Councillor Peter Fookes commented that he thought that leaf clearance in some areas of Bromley could be improved, and that residents needed more information about when leaves would be collected. The Portfolio Holder responded that the borough had more street trees than other boroughs, so leaves were more of a problem in Bromley. Leaf collection depended on when particular trees shed their leaves, so it was difficult to make detailed plans in advance, but extra crews had been brought in and residents were being encouraged to use the “purple bag” scheme. 

(f)  Coordination of Streetworks – Councillor Peter Fookes asked whether webcams in key locations might assist the public in checking whether delays were likely. The Executive Director of Environment and Community Services confirmed that all highway works had to be logged with the Council and that there was London-wide coordination. On occasion the Council did postpone planned works, but the system depended on the utilities passing on information quickly and emergency works presented a challenge. The Council had, in April 2013, launched web-based system mapping all known planned and emergency works and giving members of the public the opportunity to set up text alerts. Councillor Catherine Rideout drew attention to problems caused by roadworks in Westmoreland Road – officers responded that there had been some short-term emergency works, but these had now been completed.

(g)  Satisfaction Survey - The Executive Director of Environment and Community Services reported that a recent independent survey had shown a 75% resident satisfaction rate with street cleanliness. 

(h)  Lamp Column Replacement Invest to Save Project – Councillor David Jefferys reported that there had been problems and delays with the project in Shortlands Ward, and also in neighbouring Copers Cope Ward – he stated that he would provide officers with a list of specific issues after the meeting, and asked what could be done to penalise the contractor and improve project management. Other Members commented that there had been no systematic problems in their wards.  Officers accepted that there had been teething problems with the project in some areas. Project management had been tightened up and a board put in place chaired by the PDS Committee Chairman to oversee progress. The initial aim of installing 140 columns per month had been scaled back to 100 columns per month, so that installation of the columns did not run too far ahead of the electrical connections, and the aim now was to complete each column within 10 working days. The contractor had to provide exception reports where this was not achieved. Since the start of the financial year over 2,000 columns had been installed with about 200 complaints received (10%); the contractor had been informed at the last project board meeting that this ratio needed to be reduced. 

(i)  Travellers - Councillor Nicholas Milner reported that the recent occupation of the Beckenham Spa car park by travellers was a great concern for local residents. The Portfolio Holder responded that the Council was reliant on the Police and their priorities to tackle the problem. There would be a programme to provide gates or barriers at vulnerable locations in parks.

(j)  Parking near Stations - Councillor Grainger asked whether it would be possible to establish whether commuters parking near stations were local residents or were driving in from outside the borough. The Portfolio Holder responded that this would require permission from the DVLA to check licence plates, but the issue remained of what could be done with this information.  Councillor Samaris Huntington-Thresher added that in her opinion “rail-heading” should not be viewed as a problem, as it probably prevented commuters driving through the borough towards central London.  It was noted that the scheme to improve parking at Orpington Station was now due to commence in January 2014 for completion within five months – there would be an impact on traffic and parking during construction. Councillor Julian Grainger suggested that there were a number of locations in his ward where yellow lines could be removed.

(k)  Parking at the Princess Royal University Hospital (PRUH) – Officers reported that they had held a useful meeting with Kings College Hospital, focussing on two major issues. Firstly, additional temporary accommodation was being provided for staff and there were some highways issues relating to this. Secondly, initial discussions had been held about providing an extra car parking deck at the PRUH and a business case and feasibility study were being developed. Kings had already carried out a similar project at their Denmark Hill site. 

The Chairman concluded by stating that the Committee was pleased with the overall good progress in meeting the priorities set out in the Plan.

RESOLVED that the report be noted.