Agenda, decisions and minutes

Members in any doubt about such declarations are advised to contact Legal or Democratic Services in advance of the meeting

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 the Street Scene and Environment Services Advisory Board held on 5 October 2020

RESOLVED:  That the notes of the meeting of the Street Scene and Environment Services Advisory Board held on 5 October 2020 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

This report sets out the proposed fees and charges for the provision of services in respect of garden waste subscriptions, fixed penalty notices for littering, household bulky refuse & fridge/freezer collections, “missed” refuse collections, stray dog redemption fees, pest control, food certificates, contaminated land monitoring and private water supplies from 1 April 2021.

The joint report of the Director of Street Scene, Leisure and Technical Services and the Director of Planning, Housing and Environmental Health set out the proposed fees and charges for the provision of services in respect of garden waste subscriptions, fixed penalty notices for littering, household bulky refuse and fridge/freezer collections, ‘missed’ refuse collections, stray dog redemption fees, pest control, food certificates, contaminated land monitoring and private water supplies with effect from 1 April 2021.

Consideration had been given to a range of factors, including the Borough Council’s overall financial position, market position, trading patterns, the current rate of inflation and customer feedback.  In addition, the set of guiding principles for the setting of fees and charges approved by the Finance, Innovation and Property Advisory Board had also been taken into account.

RECOMMENDED:  That

(1)          the proposed scale of charges for garden waste subscriptions, fixed penalty notices for littering, household bulky refuse and fridge/freezer collections, ‘missed’ refuse collections, stray dog redemption fees, pest control, food certificates, contaminated land monitoring and private waste supplies, as detailed in the report, be approved; and

(2)          the proposed scale of charges be implemented from 1 April 2021.

*Referred to Cabinet

The report seeks endorsement of the Kent and Medway Energy and Low Emissions Strategy, recognising the links between the Council’s Climate Change Strategy and Air Quality Action Plan

Decision Notice D200087MEM

The report of the Chief Executive sought endorsement of the Kent and Medway Energy and Low Emissions Strategy (ELES) which outlined the approach to be taken to achieve a reduction in carbon emissions and improvements in air quality across the county.  The Strategy, attached at Annex 1, identified a number of priority actions (set out on pages 15-28 of the Strategy) and included a commitment to meet the UK Government target to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.  The ELES had been formally adopted at the Kent and Medway Net-Zero Conference held on 27 November and district councils would work in partnership to support the implementation of the priority actions.

The report identified the links between the ELES and the Tonbridge and Malling Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan and the Borough Council’s aspiration of carbon neutrality within 10 years.  In addition, the report recognised the synergies between the aims and objectives of the Strategy and the Borough Council’s Air Quality Action Plan (AQAP), due to go out to public consultation in January 2021, which focussed on transport, planning and infrastructure, policy guidance and public health and well-being.

The Cabinet Member for Street Scene and Environment Services drew attention to a pilot scheme by Kent County Council and DEFRA to create community woodlands across the county and advised that preliminary discussions had been held regarding identification of a possible site within the Borough.

RECOMMENDED:  That

(1)          the Kent and Medway Energy and Low Emissions Strategy be endorsed; and

(2)          implementation in line with existing Borough Council Climate Change and Air Quality objectives be supported. 

This report provides updates on the impact the Covid-19 pandemic has had on both the Environmental Protection and the Food & Safety teams within the Environmental Health service. It links back to the agreed First Year addendum to the Corporate Strategy.

The report of the Director of Planning, Housing and Environmental Health provided an update on the impact the Covid-19 pandemic had had on both the Environmental Protection and the Food and Safety teams within Environmental Services.   Additionally, reference was made to the agreed First Year Addendum to the Corporate Strategy.

It was noted that requests to the Service had increased dramatically throughout the pandemic and both teams had experienced significantly increased pressures and changes to their role and current priorities. 

This report provides updates on progress with the themes/activities identified within the Street Scene and Waste section of the approved First Year Addendum to the Council’s Corporate Strategy. This includes updates on service performance, the roll out of the new service arrangements to flats/communal areas, the reduction in the number of bring bank sites and the reintroduction of the weekend bulky collection service, subscriptions for garden waste and the transfer of public conveniences to Parish/Town Councils.

The report of the Director of Street Scene, Leisure and Technical Services provided an update on progress with the themes and activities identified within the Street Scene and Waste section of the approved First Year Addendum to the Corporate Strategy.  This included updates on service performance, the roll out of the new service arrangements to flats and communal areas, the reduction in the number of bring bank sites and the reintroduction of the weekend bulky waste collection service, subscriptions for garden waste and the transfer of public conveniences to Parish/Town Councils. 

This report provides updates on a number of issues & initiatives managed by the Waste & Street Scene Services team.

The report provided updates on a number of issues and initiatives managed by the Waste and Street Scene Service Services.  Particular reference was made to the retendering of the Pest Control, Dog Warden and Public Toilet Cleaning contracts and to the performance of the waste contractor which had seen a significant improvement since the engagement of a new manager in August. 

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.