Agenda item

To receive questions from members for the Executive and committee chairmen.

Councillor Dean raised his continuing concern at blocked gutters on streets in Stansted, and as a general point said it would be helpful if an action plan could be prepared on addressed problems in street services. 

The Leader said cleansing of drains and gutters was the responsibility of the County Council.  He said the street services operated by the District Council had had recent problems in that the lifting mechanism on some vehicles was overheating.  In order not to fall behind, the teams had done double shifts.  The decision had been taken to continue to offer to collect trade waste.   The manager of street services had recently resigned, and recruitment was underway to appoint a successor to her position.  Procurement of new refuse vehicles was taking place.  Verge litter-picking had improved. 

Councillor Dean said the issue in Stansted was where the edges of the pavements in Cambridge Road and Chapel Hill had accumulated debris which street sweepers would normally clear except that parked vehicles were usually on those sites.  A way to address this issue should be found. 

Councillor S Barker said if there were any specific areas which could be addressed she would investigate.  She said Essex County Council had not yet completed its Spring verge cutting in the district.  She was looking at ways to delegate some tasks to the Highways Rangers. 

Councillor R Freeman said he was often asked why bins were not collected, in relation to the new estates, and that measures could be taken to prepare for new rounds such as advance ordering of new vehicles. 

The Leader said the statistics of 99.4% collection of bins demonstrated only very few bins were missed, and that any which were missed were followed up.  New vehicles had been ordered in good time. 

Councillor S Barker said all vehicles were fitted with technology that enabled the crews to log whether bins were not put out in time for collection.  Whilst there were some problems with delivery of new bins to housing estates, measures to improve their delivery were being taken.

Councillor Loughlin asked whether flight paths at Stansted Airport had changed, as she had recently received a number of complaints about this issue. 

Councillor S Barker said she was not aware of any changes to flight paths but that information could be sought from Councillor Artus or the Planning Policy Officer. 

Councillor Sell thanked the Cabinet for the provision recently made for two PCSOs.  He asked for an update on Carver Barracks. 

Councillor Rolfe said a meeting with the new senior personnel in post at the Barracks  would take place in August. 

Councillor Sell referred to the minutes of the meeting of 8 December 2016 in which reference was made to the strategy the Council intended to pursue.  He questioned whether the project represented value for money, particularly as time had passed, making the lifetime of the proposed investment shorter than originally envisaged.  He suggested it might be better to curtail this project, as there were other sports facilities in need of investment.  A health and wellbeing fund could be established to provide match funding. 

Councillor Rolfe said it was important to fund sports facilities, and he would look carefully at whether such a fund could be set up.  There were many ways to raise money and the Council had its own capital fund, to which people could apply.  It was important that people were able to find out how to apply, and he would further consider this point. 

Regarding Carver Barracks, Councillor Rolfe said the proposed investment was a good deal and he stood by what he had said.  The new Garden Communities structure would also deliver excellent facilities. 

Councillor Artus said the original deal was that if the Barracks closed before 2031 the Council would reclaim the grant money.  The personnel structure at the Barracks had changed, so the project was in limbo.  It was still a good deal, but not if the whole period was not available.

Councillor Artus said he had attended the funeral of former Councillor Bob Merrion, who had been his predecessor at Hatfield Broad Oak, and who had shown immense commitment in representing his ward.  Councillor Artus requested the Council send condolences to his widow.  Councillor Rolfe said he supported this suggestion.  Councillor Chambers added that he had recruited Bob Merrion and that he had been an excellent councillor.  He asked that there should be a minute’s silence in his memory. 

At the request of the Chairman, Members observed a minute’s silence. 

Councillor Foley asked that a letter of thanks be sent to the recycling crews, who had worked very hard in difficult conditions.  He asked whether the recycling vehicles being obtained were new or secondhand.  Regarding Carver Barracks, he suggested if the dates during which the site was available were to change, it could become a brownfield site. 

Councillor S Barker said she had asked the head of service to write to the crews to thank them for their recent hard work.  She invited the Director – Public Services to answer in respect of procurement of additional vehicles. 

The Director – Public Services gave a brief update.

Councillor Chambers said the refuse service at this Council was one of the best in the country.