Agenda for Overview and Scrutiny Committee on Tuesday, 16th April, 2019, 7.00 pm

Agenda and minutes

Venue: Council Chamber - Civic Centre, Folkestone

Contact: Kate Clark 

Media

Items
No. Item

183.

Declarations of Interest

Members of the committee should declare any interests which fall under the following categories*:

 

a)    disclosable pecuniary interests (DPI);

b)    other significant interests (OSI);

c)     voluntary announcements of other interests.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

There were no declarations of interest.

184.

Minutes

To consider and approve, as a correct record, the minutes of the meetings held on 7 March 2019 and 12 March 2019.

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

The minutes of the meetings held on 7 and 12 March 2019 were submitted, approved and signed by the Chairman.

185.

Call-in Report - Reconsideration of Decision 18/076

On 7 March 2019 the Overview and Scrutiny Committee considered the call – in of decision number 18/076relating to the informal consultation on proposals to extend controlled parking zones F& G.

 

The cabinet member was asked to reconsider the decisions made taking into account the recommendations of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee. Report OS18/04 provides the outcome and actions to be taken.  

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Mrs Ann Berry informed members that on 7 March 2019 the Overview and Scrutiny Committee considered the call in of decision number 18/076 relating to the informal consultation on proposals to extend controlled parking zones F& G.

 

As the Cabinet Member for Transport and Commercial she was asked to reconsider the decisions made taking into account the recommendations of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee as below:

 

(a)       That the proposed actions for further informal consultation to take

place in Garden Road and Walton Road be agreed.

(b)       That following further informal consultation and subject to the

results, the scheme will be subject to formal consultation with

submission of the TRO (traffic regulation order).d

 

Councillor Mrs Berry informed members that dependant on the results of the review a decision will be made as to whether to proceed with the formal consultation.

 

Report OS18/04 provided the outcome and actions to be taken.

 

Fred Miller, Transportation Manager informed members that subsequent consultations had taken place in Garden Road and Walton Road by officers door knocking but this was not possible in all areas due to staffing availability. The Harbour area will remain the same as it is with the rest changing. Members were informed that the majority of residents wanted a parking scheme in this area, but a further consultation will be done for additional comments to be submitted.

 

Mr Miller explained the application process for a CPZ informing that residents can apply by letter and are also encouraged to get a petition signed. It is unlikely to put a CPZ in just one road. Once a letter has been received then officers seek to ask residents if they are interested in a CPZ through a formal consultation.

 

A request for figures of those residents seeking a parking zone either through a letter or petition would be provided to members following the meeting.  

 

Results of the subsequent consultations are now awaited.

 

Proposed by Councillor Clive Goddard

Seconded by Councillor Mrs Rodica Wheeler and

 

Resolved:

1.         To receive and note Report OS/18/04.

 

(Voting: For 4; Against 3; Abstentions 1)

186.

Annual Scrutiny Programme 2019/20

Report OS/18/05 presents recommendations for the work programme for the Overview and Scrutiny Committee for 2019/20.

 

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

Report OS/18/05 presented recommendations for the work programme for

the Overview and Scrutiny Committee for 2019/20.

 

Amandeep Khroud, Assistant Director presented the report informing members that additional items could be added to the annual scrutiny programme should it be necessary as it is an evolving document.

 

She informed that the information provided on the table attached to the report was through various means as shown in part 2.1 of the report. A review of the information provided would be looked into.

 

Councillor Tillson was disappointed to hear that the item in respect of library provision, requested by a number of parish/town councils, had not come forward as an item for scrutiny. It was agreed that he would speak with the Assistant Director on the issues raised within the completed scoping form and following consideration could be added to the annual scrutiny programme.

 

Following a request from Councillor Mrs Lawes it was agreed that the following item be referred to the Assistant Director, Environment & Corporate Assets for him to provide the necessary information:

 

            The number of Council owned garages and those that are vacant.

 

Proposed by Councillor Mrs Mary Lawes

Seconded by Councillor Russell Tillson and

 

Resolved: To review the amount of graffiti in the district, look at ways of prevention and to look at providing a controlled environment that could be used for graffiti artists.

 

(Voting: For 8; Against 0; Abstentions 0)

 

Proposed by Councillor Mrs Rodica Wheeler

Seconded by Councillor Miss Susan Carey and

 

Resolved:

1.         To receive and note report OS/18/05.

2.         To recommend to Council that the items numbered (5); (7); (9); (10) and (14) in appendix 1 to this report form the annual scrutiny work programme for 2019-20.

 

(Voting: For 7; Against 0; Abstentions 1)

187.

Domestic Bins and Container Charges

The Council’s discretionary fees and charges policy was amended starting in April 2017 that the replacement of refuse (residual) bins would be charged in all circumstances. Prior to this the replacement of residual bins had been provided free of charge if lost or damaged on collection day. The purpose of this change was to control spiralling costs. The Council continues to replace recycling bins and containers free of charge to residents if lost or damaged on the collection day. 

 

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

The Council’s discretionary fees and charges policy was amended starting

in April 2017 that the replacement of refuse (residual) bins would be

charged in all circumstances. Prior to this the replacement of residual bins

had been provided free of charge if lost or damaged on collection day. The

purpose of this change was to control spiralling costs. The Council

continues to replace recycling bins and containers free of charge to

residents if lost or damaged on the collection day.

 

Mandy Pile, Waste Services Manager and Councillor Stuart Peall, Cabinet Member for the Environment were in attendance to listen to members concerns and answer questions, following a request by Folkestone Town Council to review its charging of replacement bins.

 

Members heard that the council is responsible for around 40,000 residual bins across the district with the majority still fine. To replace all 40,000 it would cost in the region of £1.96M, which cannot be supported and could mean an increase to council tax.

 

In the last year 570 bins were replaced by Veolia and 192 were charged for, this is a small amount in comparison to the numbers the council is responsible for.

 

Although it is difficult to prove that some bins have been damaged on collection days Veolia will check and replace any it deems have been caused by them. It is therefore requested that all incidents of damaged bins are made to them as soon as possible following the collection days.  Veolia do try to salvage spare parts such as hinges and lids but with designs changing all the time this is not always possible.

 

It was reported that some areas of the district are struggling to continue to recycle due to non-replacement bins and residents not being able to afford replacement bins. In these circumstances residents are advised to contact the council so that an alternative method of waste disposal can be suggested, such as purple bags for a short period of time.

 

The Cabinet Member informed the Committee that all incidents should be reported and if a resident is not happy with the outcome then there is an appeal process they can go through. The Council is flexible in the way that it manages replacement bins and would assess each issue on its merit.

 

Proposed by Councillor Russell Tillson

Seconded by Councillor Peter Gane and

 

Resolved:

1.         To receive and note report OS/18/06.

2.         The Committee believes that the protection and promotion of the interests of local residents is paramount. It is the view that the present focus upon financial savings in respect of domestic bin and container charges fails to meet this requirement.

3.         It calls upon the Cabinet to abandon the current policy of charging residents for the replacement of bins where it is clear the damage has been caused by the contractors, Veolia.

4.         It further requests that when the time comes to re-negotiate the present contract with Veolia the obligation to replace bins damaged by the contractor’s staff should rest firmly with Veolia.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 187.

188.

Kent Joint Municipal Waste Management Strategy

The 13 Kent Councils working together through the Kent Resource Partnership (KRP) adopted the first Kent Joint Municipal Waste Management Strategy (KJMWMS) in 2007.  The strategy was refreshed and adopted in 2012 and the KRP has been working over the past year to update the strategy further, report C/18/59 seeks Cabinet agreement to adopt the refreshed KJMWMS objectives and policies.  This is a common report being considered by each of the Kent authorities.

 

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

The 13 Kent Councils working together through the Kent Resource

Partnership (KRP) adopted the first Kent Joint Municipal Waste

Management Strategy (KJMWMS) in 2007. The strategy was refreshed

and adopted in 2012 and the KRP has been working over the past year to

update the strategy further, report C/18/59 seeks Cabinet agreement to

adopt the refreshed KJMWMS objectives and policies. This is a common

report being considered by each of the Kent authorities.

 

Members paid particular attention to the following:

 

·         Reduction in landfill waste has been significant – the new strategy will improve on this and it will encourage residents to continue to do more.

·         Recycling has been a success and is improving all the time.

·         Landlords/flats – officers have tried to work with landlords and will revisit again, along with housing in multiple occupation.

 

Some of the sites do not have the facility or space to provide recycling bins, with some not allowing bins in certain areas, an example of this problem has arisen along the Leas where agents will not allow bins in certain parts of the carpark.

 

Councillor Peall informed that officers will revisit all these issues and continue to work with landlords, flats and agents to find solutions.

·         Global problem – recycling is a global issue which we should all take on board.

 

Proposed by Councillor Michael Lyons

Seconded by Councillor Clive Goddard and

 

Resolved:

1.         To receive and note report C/18/59.

 

(Voting: For 8; Against 0; Abstentions 0)