Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies recorded for the meeting.

There were no declarations of interest recorded.

[To approve the minutes of the previous meeting as a correct record]

That the minutes of the meeting held on 11 February 2016 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

[To consider any matter arising from the minutes]

Minute 5 – Review of Age Designation on Council Flats.

The Scrutiny Officer advised that an interim public communication plan was sent to all panel members.

Minute 9 – Improving the City Offer Housing Company Outline Business Case

The Scrutiny Officer advised that meetings of the Council steering group for the local housing company will be arranged before the end of July 2016.

[Ross Cook, Service Director – City Environment, Place, to present a report on the range of actions being taken to keep the City clean.]

Ross Cook, Service Director – City Environment, introduced the report and commented on the positive first impressions of the city. The Service Director commented on the improvements in the service and the high ratings from customers.

The panel discussed a range of issues linked to the issue of fly tipping and the work that the service is doing to help keep the City clean. The panel commented on the overall positive experience of using the Councils ReportIt app and the service more generally in dealing with litter complaints.

Steve Evans, Cabinet Member for City Environment, welcomed the positive comments but accepted that the experience of people who have used the reporting system has not always work in all situations. The Cabinet Member for City Environment explained that the system will be upgraded to ensure that people get a prompt response and will be more user friendly.

The panel discussed the issues linked to fly tipping. The panel welcomed the display of warning street signs about fly tipping and despite early reservations about its impact; evidence has shown that it has helped to reduce the problem. The panel discussed the Council policy towards prosecuting offenders for fly tipping. Andy Jervis, Head of Regulatory Services, explained the Council has used intelligence from cameras to prosecute offenders.

The Head of Regulatory Services explained that two cases have been successfully prosecuted in court recently, two more have been approved and a further four to six cases were in the final stages of investigation.

The Head of Regulatory Services acknowledged that the level of fines is low, but the Council does seek maximum fines. The issue of fines does get press publicity which helps to get a message out that the Council is prepared to prosecute. However, the Council is selective when making a decision to investigate as it will involve the detailed collection of supporting evidence which is very resource intensive so only those cases with a realistic prospect of conviction are pursued.

In relation to litter, fixed penalties are issued for the vast majority of offences and the majority of people who are given fixed penalty notices for littering pay within 30 days.

The Cabinet Member for City Environment suggested that the panel would find it useful to visit City Direct to see how reports and complaints about litter are dealt with. The panel welcomed the idea of the visit. The scrutiny officer to make the necessary arrangements for the visit.

The panel discussed the fly tipping of goods such as fridges and if there was a link to the change in opening hours at recycling centre. The Cabinet Member for City Environment explained that there is no obvious link between the dumping of specific goods and changes to opening hours. The situation is similar across other regions in the West Midlands.

The panel queried if the quality of the collection service has led to increased budget pressure and also encouraged people to use it as alternative to paying for the collection and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.