Agenda and minutes

Please note that this meeting may be filmed or recorded by the Council for live or subsequent broadcast via the Council’s internet site or by anyone attending the meeting using any communication method. Although we ask members of the public recording, filming or reporting on the meeting not to include the public seating areas, members of the public attending the meeting should be aware that we cannot guarantee that they will not be filmed or recorded by others attending the meeting. Members of the public participating in the meeting (e.g. making deputations, asking questions, making oral protests) should be aware that they are likely to be filmed, recorded or reported on. 

By entering the meeting room and using the public seating area, you are consenting to being filmed and to the possible use of those images and sound recordings.

The chair of the meeting has the discretion to terminate or suspend filming or recording, if in his or her opinion continuation of the filming, recording or reporting would disrupt or prejudice the proceedings, infringe the rights of any individual or may lead to the breach of a legal obligation by the Council.

The Chair referred Members present to agenda item 1 on the agenda regarding  filming at the meeting and Members noted the information contained therein.

An apology for absence was received from Councillor Barbara Blake.

The Chair will consider the admission of any late items of urgent business (late items will be considered under the agenda item where they appear. New items will be dealt with as noted below).   

None.

None.

To consider any requests received in accordance with Part 4, Section B, Paragraph 29 of the Council’s Constitution.

None.

To approve the minutes of the meeting of 12 October 2017.

The Panel noted that a response from the Head of Community Safety and Enforcement to the issues raised regarding the crime statistics discussed under item 13 (Haringey Community Safety Partnership – Performance and Priorities) had been circulated. 

In respect of the reference to the proposed Haringey Youth Zone that was discussed under item 12 (Cabinet Member Questions – Communities), it was noted that the proposal would provide £3 million of capital funding and that the £750,000 of revenue funding that it also provided was limited to three years.

AGREED:

That, subject to the above amendments and clarifications, the minutes of the meeting of 12 October 2017 be approved.

To receive an update on the implementation of charges for replacement bins and collection of green waste and bulky items.

Ian Kershaw, Community Safety, Enforcement and Waste Manager, reported on the recent introduction of charges for replacement bins and collection of green waste and bulky items. Concerns had been expressed at the possible adverse effects that these might have so their introduction was being closely monitored, especially in respect of fly tipping.   He reported that there had not so far been any noticeable effect.  In particular, there had been an increase nationally in fly tipping so the fact that there had been no increase in Haringey was positive news.  

In answer to a question, Mr Kershaw reported that 3,930 residents had already signed up to green waste collections and it was hoped to reach at least 6,000 in the first year.  There would be a communications campaign to promote the service. 

In answer to another question, he stated that there was data showing the distribution of those who had signed up for the service.  It showed a higher take up in the west of the borough, as was expected.  Panel Members asked if there was potential for differential charging for a reduced collection service.  Mr Kershaw stated that there were already three levels of charge and the service wished to keep the service offer simple to understand.  Steve McDonnell, the Interim Director of Commercial and Operations, reported that it was hoped that residents would home compost where at all possible.  The service was nevertheless open to suggestion and would listen to the views of residents.  He stated that the service would be monitoring whether green waste was being put in the grey bins for general waste. 

Mr Kershaw reported that in cab technology informed waste operatives of which residents had signed up to the service. Bins could be shared between residents but there needed a specific person for the service to collect from. If a subscription had lapsed but waste continued to be presented in the appropriate sacks they would still be collected.  70% of those who had signed up had opted for the larger bins but the take up of the biodegradable sacks had nevertheless been higher than anticipated.

AGREED:

That the Panel continue to monitor the impact of the introduction of the charges and that a further report on progress be submitted to the Panel in autumn 2018.

To consider and comment of the Council’s draft 5 year (2018/19 to 2022/23) Medium Term Financial Strategy proposals relating to the Panel’s remit (i.e. Priority 3).

The Panel noted that there were no new savings proposed for Priority 3 in 2018/19.  All the previously agreed savings had been rolled forward and were currently on course to be delivered.   Mr Kershaw reported that the reduction in the funding for the Education and Outreach team had reduced the capacity to engage with residents.  However, work was still undertaken with schools although it was now intended to deliver this on-line.  It was still important to provide advice and guidance to residents although this could be challenging due to the transient population in some areas of the borough.   

It was noted that the closure of Park View Road Re-use and Recycling Centre had taken place in October.  However, there were other sites that could be used instead, including some outside of the borough.  Mr Kershaw reported that there would be publicity regarding alternative re-use and recycling facilities.  There had so far been no increase in fly tipping but this would continue to be monitored.

In answer to a question, Mr McDonnell stated that it would be possible to bring the waste contract back in house if Members wished to do so.  However, the current waste contract was not failing.   In respect of the changes to visitor parking permits and hourly permit charges, it was intended to implement these from February.  Engagement with the community would be required beforehand.  It was agreed that clarification would be provided regarding the age for concessionary rate.  It was still intended to relocate parking and CCTV processes and appeals.  One option would be to share provision with Islington, who had based their service in Manchester. 

The Panel noted that the following responses had been made to the recommendations of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee in January 2017 in respect of items in Priority 3;

·         3.2: Charging for Bulky Household Waste; Enforcement had taken place at hot spot sites and the littering fixed penalty notice rate had been increased from £80 to £150.  The impact of the implementation of the changes was also being closely monitored.

·         3.3:  Charging for Replacement Wheelie Bins; There was no charge for a replacement bin if it had been damaged by the contractor.   There had been very few disputes regarding responsibility for this so far.   All bins were marked to show that they belonged to Haringey.  Requests for replacement bins had reduced considerably.  The main objective of the change had been to encourage better stewardship of bins.

·         3.6:  Closure of Park View Road Re-use and Recycling Centre; The impact of this was being closely monitored. 

·         3.7:  Rationalisation of Parking Visitor Permits; The age for concessionary rate had been reduced from 75 to 65, as the Committee had recommended. 

·         3.8:  Relocation of Parking/CCTV Process and Appeals; An Equalities Impact Assessment had been included in the Cabinet report on the issue.  No final decision had been taken on the issue and the proposal was currently at the commissioning stage.  There would potentially be four redundancies arising from the proposal.

Mr McDonnell reported that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 34.

To consider the proposed work programme of the Panel for the remainder of the municipal year.

AGREED:

That the work plan for the Panel be approved.