Agenda, decisions and minutes

There were no declarations of interest made in accordance with the Code of Conduct.

To confirm as a correct record the Notes of the meeting of Local Environmental Management Advisory Board held on 2 September 2014

RESOLVED:  That the notes of the meeting of the Local Environmental Management Advisory Board held on 2 September 2014 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Decision Notice D150026MEM

Consideration was given to the report of the Director of Street Scene and Leisure regarding the annual report of the Kent Resource Partnership for 2013/14 which gave details of the end destination of waste and recyclate collected by Kent authorities.  The report provided a Kent overview and a breakdown for each council from which it was noted that 85% of the Borough Council’s waste was dealt with in Kent, 89% turned into a resource and only 11% sent to landfill.

An update was given at the meeting on the situation following news that Aylesford Newsprint had recently gone into administration.  Contingency arrangements for paper recycling had been made to ensure no disruption to residents with collected material currently being sent to the Smurfit Mill in Snodland.  The Waste Services team were commended for their speedy and pragmatic response and it was noted that the full impacts of the closure and options for the future were being explored for report back in due course.

RECOMMENDED:  That the approach outlined in the report be noted and endorsed in continuing to be open about the Council’s waste and recycling material end destination and publicising information through the Kent Resource Partnership.

Decision Notice D150027MEM

The report of the Director of Street Scene and Leisure provided an update on progress with a range of street scene initiatives and projects in the Street Scene Action Plan that were being implemented in 2014/15.

RECOMMENDED:  That the approach outlined in the report be endorsed and the projects and progress across a wide range of street scene related initiatives, as set out at Annex 1 to the report, be noted.

The report gave details of the past successes and future initiatives involved in the ‘Love Where You Live’ campaign including the ‘Love Kent – Hate Litter’ roadside litter campaign, the litter code of practice for businesses, ‘Bash the Trash’ and responsible dog ownership events and support for wildlife-friendly gardening.  Reference was also made to the ongoing programme of educational talks and presentations and involvement in workplace wellbeing and the Kent Healthy Business Award.

Members were advised of work recently undertaken by the Environmental Protection team in respect of complying with the provisions of the Private Water Supply Regulations 2009.  Reference was made to remedial works required on private water supplies to address failures of the drinking water standards and potential risks to human health as a result of the risk assessments carried out.

The report provided an update on a number of waste and street scene services including the Christmas collection arrangements and a green waste container trial.  The Council’s green waste collection system had been recognised as best practice in an article published in ‘Organics Recycling’, a copy of which was annexed to the report. Reference was also made to the encouragement of online reporting of fly tipping and rubbish–related issues with Waste and Street Scene Services being the initial point of contact.  Members noted the award for dog warden services and recorded their thanks to the Dog Warden for her commitment and dedication.

The report gave an update on recent work of the Food and Safety team including free training for businesses with the lowest hygiene ratings, drop in sessions for food businesses on food allergens and collection of samples from a range of takeaway premises to provide microbiological data as part of a national survey.  Members asked a number of questions about frequency of inspections and display of hygiene ratings at premises which, it was noted, was currently not mandatory in England.

The Advisory Board noted the consultation documents to which responses had been made since the last meeting.

The report outlined the statutory notices served since the last meeting of the Advisory Board.  An update was given on the position regarding Drytec which was now subject to legal proceedings in respect of the appeal against the abatement notices.  A further meeting of the liaison group was scheduled for the following week and Members expressed thanks to the Environmental Protection team for their ongoing work.

The report of the Director of Central Services gave details of prosecutions undertaken in respect of littering and health and safety offences.

The Chairman to move that the press and public be excluded from the remainder of the meeting during consideration of any items the publication of which would disclose exempt information.

There were no items considered in private.