Agenda item

[That the Cabinet Member for City Environment respond to questions received.]

The responses to written questions be noted.

Councillor Jonathan Yardley asked the Cabinet Member for City Environment:

Can the Cabinet Member for City Environment confirm when the works to repair Tettenhall Pool will commence, and whether he anticipates the pool will reopen in time for the Summer?

The Cabinet Member for City Environment, Councillor Steve Evans  responded that he would be in a position to confirm the opening date once the contract had been signed with the specialist contractor this month. He anticipated that the pool would open in time for the summer.

Councillor Jonathan Yardley asked the following supplementary question:

Will the pool be open by Whitson Bank Holiday as usual ?

The Cabinet Member for City Environment, Councillor Steve Evans  responded that this would be dependent on the specialist contractor completing the work in time and ensuring work was completed to the correct PWTAG standard.

a.     Household Waste Recycling Centres

Councillor Udey Singh to ask the Cabinet Member for City Environment:

Earlier this month, the Leader of Walsall Council, Councillor Mike Bird, announced that he would be opening the two tips in his authority seven days a week on a trial basis to tackle fly-tipping. We know that fly-tipping continues to be problem in Wolverhampton, and that the Council has recently launched a new campaign to combat it. But this does not go far enough, so will the Cabinet Member for City Environment now also commit this Council to opening its tips seven days a week?

The Cabinet Member for City Environment, Councillor Steve Evans  responded that Wolverhampton had two tips which were accessible over seven days and that one of the tips operated extended hours on a Wednesday, to ensure the tips were accessible to working residents too. He added that Wolverhampton’s residents also had a shorter distance to travel to a tip when compared to Walsall.  

He added that Wolverhampton took an evidence based approach to decision making and evidence proved that fly tipping occurred at times when tips were open. Wolverhampton’s campaign was proving a success and to date fly tipping had reduced by 50% and in Walsall it was on the increase.

Councillor Udey Singh asked the following supplementary question:

Can the Cabinet Member confirm if hardworking residents of Wolverhampton would continue to foot the bill of hundreds and thousands of pounds which is a direct result of fly tipping at no fault of their own?

The Cabinet Member for City Environment, Councillor Steve Evans  responded no. The Council had taken action against fly tippers and that fly tipping occurred irrespective whether tips were open or closed.

He added following the trial at Walsall it would be interesting to compare the results of the two authorities. The Council operated a number of initiatives to reduce fly tipping and keep the city clean. The council had issued a number of fixed penalty notices, seized a vehicle, crushed a car and taken a case to court.

He added Councillors also needed to lead the way in their ward and support residents, by organising community clean up days and helping to catch fly tippers.

Resolved:

That the responses to written questions be noted.