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 Tuesday, 26 November 2013

RESOLVED:  That the notes of the meeting of the Local Environmental Management Advisory Board held on 26 November 2013 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

The joint report of the Director of Street Scene and Leisure and Cabinet Member for Environmental Services gave an update on the Council’s WEEE recycling pilot and recommended that the initiative be extended to the end of June 2014 to permit evaluation of new collection arrangements.

RECOMMENDED:  That

(1)                                         the changes to the WEEE Recycling Pilot as detailed in the report be noted;

(3)                                         the Director of Street Scene and Leisure report the findings of his review of the WEEE Recycling Pilot to the next meeting of the Advisory Board.

The joint report of the Director of Street Scene and Leisure and Cabinet Member for Environmental Services provided details of proposed street scene initiatives planned for 2014/15.

RECOMMENDED:  That approval be given to the Street Scene Action Plan 2014/15 as detailed in Annex 1 of the report.

The report of the Director of Planning, Housing and Environmental Health provided an update on the continuing issue of odour emissions in Tonbridge with particular reference to progress made since establishment of the multi-agency liaison group and introduction of a firm timetable of improvement works (Decision No D130141MEM). 

A copy of the minutes of the first liaison group meeting held on 5 February were annexed to the report which highlighted a number of actions agreed at the meeting, most significantly the company’s firm commitment to installing bespoke odour abatement equipment in the form of a Regenerative Thermal Oxidiser.  It was noted that specialist consultants would be used to make a detailed assessment of the suitability of this plant in abating the odour emissions.

Members were particularly concerned that Drytec should keep the Borough Council informed of progress in meeting the timetable for the improvement works.  Concern was expressed at continued reports of odours at evenings and weekends although the company had undertaken to review their production schedules to try and minimise odour emissions during these periods.

RECOMMENDED:  That

(1)                                         the minutes of the liaison group be endorsed; and

(2)                                         the on-going approach of officers to the ultimate resolution of the current situation be endorsed.

The report of the Director of Street Scene and Leisure referred to recently published information by the Kent Resource Partnership (KRP) relating to the end destination of waste and recyclate collected by Kent authorities.  It was noted that 82% of the waste collected by the Borough Council was dealt with in Kent with only 0.6% treated abroad.  In addition nearly 90% of material collected was turned into a resource.  Members were advised that the document ‘KRP Materials End Destination 2012/13’ would be published on the Council’s website where it would assist in answering enquiries from the public.

The report provided an update on a number of Waste Service initiatives.  Details were given of the impact of flooding on the Christmas period collections and the redeployment of resources to assist in the emergency response.  Members recorded thanks to the Veolia crews and all others involved for maintaining their usual high standard of service despite the additional demands placed upon them.

The report also referred to the commencement of the new Dog Warden contract, preparations for the new plastic collection contract, the outcome of green waste quality monitoring reports in respect of Blaise Farm and the range of activities undertaken in the context of the Love Where You Live campaign.

The report provided an update on a range of Environmental Protection issues including air quality review and assessment process, mitigation measures at Blaise Farm and the annual return in respect of private water supplies.

The report updated Members on the work of the Food and Safety Team and gave details of food hygiene training for a number of cuisine businesses, publication of Food Standards Agency inspection data for 2012/13 and participation in a pilot project to improve display of food hygiene ratings.

Members noted the consultation documents responded to since the last meeting of the Advisory Board. 

The report outlined the statutory notices served since the last meeting of the Advisory Board.

The report of the Director of Central Services gave details of prosecutions undertaken and simple cautions issued since the last meeting of the Advisory Board.

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.