Agenda and minutes

To receive apologies for absence from those Members who are unable to attend the meeting.

Apologies were received from Councillor Matthew McLoughlin.

To approve the Minutes of the meeting of the Panel held on the 27^th March 2024.

The Panel considered the Minutes of the meeting of the Panel held on 27^th March 2024

RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the previous meetings be approved.

Members will be asked to say if there are any items on the Agenda in which they have any disclosable pecuniary interests or any other interests, which may prevent them from participating in any discussion of the items or participating in any vote upon the items.

Councillor John Taylor declared an interest relating to item 6 as the alternative director for SUEZ Recycling and Recovery Kirklees LTD

Most agenda items take place in public. This only changes where there is a need to consider exempt information, as contained at Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972. You will be informed at this point which items are to be recommended for exclusion and to be resolved by the Panel.

All items were considered in the public session.

The Panel will receive any petitions and/or deputations from members of the public. A deputation is where up to five people can attend the meeting and make a presentation on some particular issue of concern. A member of the public can also submit a petition at the meeting relating to a matter on which the body has powers and responsibilities.

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 10, Members of the Public must submit a deputation in writing, at least three clear working days in advance of the meeting and shall subsequently be notified if the deputation shall be heard. A maximum of four deputations shall be heard at any one meeting.

No deputations or petitions were received.

To receive any public questions.

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 11, the period for the asking and answering of public questions shall not exceed 15 minutes.

Any questions must be submitted in writing at least three clear working days in advance of the meeting.

No public questions were received.

The Panel will consider the Cleansing Preformance Update.

Contact:

Will Acornley, Head of Operational Services

The Panel considered an update on ‘Cleansing Performance’ which was presented by Will Acornley, Head of Operational Services – Highways and Street scene who explained that:

·         The update had been provided as requested by the Panel in response to reported missed bin collections and set out the measures implemented within the waste collection service to improve performance.

·         Following the implementation of measures, (i.e. strong governance, the monitoring of performance data and the introduction of area-based working in the North) the situation had improved and the target percentage for collections had been achieved as per the previous reporting week. 

·         The improvement journey was continuous and there were still challenges particularly relating to restricted access.

·         This was due to several very narrow roads in Kirklees, alongside an increase in the number of parked vehicles (due to home-working) and overhanging vegetation from 3^rd party owned land.

·         Additionally, the current narrow track vehicles which were relied on for harder to reach areas were not offered during the tendering exercise and were being phased out by the only supplier.

·         To combat restricted access there were plans to:

o   Investigate different ways of working, including engaging with other local authorities, to understand best practices.

o   Review how we communicate access issues alongside colleagues from comms and IT as the council move to a digital first model for customer interaction.

There had also been several lessons during the improvement journey and the next steps included: 

·         The Rerouting of rounds in the south of the district to the area based working model to achieve the following key benefits;

o   Increased accountability for crews,

o   Consistent availability to return for blocked access and missed bins.

o   Allows crews to learn the geography of their area.

o   Easier to spot pressures through new house building.

o   More targeted approach to customer communications.

·         Reviewing the market to understand how technology and new systems can support service improvement.

·         Using best practice knowledge to understand how to best serve harder to access locations.

·         Work with comms and IT to look at a digital first approach, and how best to use non digital solutions in a cost-effective way.

In the discussion to follow questions and comments were invited from the Panel, with the following issues being covered:

·         In relation to engagement with elected members, it was found that local ward Councillors had been helpful in passing messages between the Council and communities about missed collections and restricted access (i.e.- advising residents when to move vehicles etc…) This was noted to be particularly effective, and it was agreed that thanks be given to the ward councillors involved for their support.

·         In relation to re-routing the South, it was requested that Councillors be made aware of changes in advance to help support the dialogue with residents.

·         As well as learning from neighbouring local authorities it was important to also consider the best performers nationally in waste collection. This information may be accessible through the Local Government Association (LGA).

·         In relation to housing growth, the Panel  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

The Panel will consider its draft work programme 2024/25 for approval.

Contact:
Jodie Harris, Principal Governance and Democratic Engagement Officer

The Panel reviewed its Draft Work Programme for the 2024/25 municipal year.

It was agreed that:

RESOLVED:  

1.    An update report on reducing contamination be added to the work programme.

The draft work programme be approved for submission to the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee