Agenda item

LOCAL SERVICES ISSUES

To receive a verbal update from the Area Managers from Technical Services and Neighbourhood Services in attendance about any key recent, ongoing and/or future planned Local Services work for the attention of members of the Local Area Council, who will also then have the opportunity to raise issues with the Area Managers. 

 

The Area Managers have principal responsibility for highway services and environmental services, such as refuse collection, street cleansing and grounds maintenance, within the geographic boundaries of the Local Area Council. 

 

 

Minutes:

Members received the following updates from the Area Managers from Neighbourhood Services and Technical Services:

 

Technical Services:

 

·        Highway Inspections were being carried out and were up to date in the Tynedale area with actionable defects being repaired within the specified timeframe.  The number of defects following the winter damage had reduced but extra resources were still in place.  A new hot box had been delivered which had a larger capacity.

·        The gully wagon was working along its route.

·        The hedge-to-hedge scheme which looked at all aspects was currently working at Donkley Wood.

·        Drainage repairs by the dedicated team had been operating recently in Longbyer and would be moving to Hexham, Moonfield and St Pauls.

·        A new Senior Construction Team Leader would be commencing in Tynedale in the near future and would lead on drainage schemes, local safety schemes and Members schemes.

·        17 of 28 Local Transport Plan schemes had been completed to date.

·        Footway repairs were being carried out with slurry sealing.

 

The following issues were discussed:

 

·        Resurfacing works would continue as long as weather conditions permitted.  It could not be carried out in very wet or snowy conditions or when salt had been applied to the road surface.  The best time to lay it was when it was cold and dry.  Slurry sealing activity would likely cease at the end of October.  Surface dressing had finished.

·        Additional gulley cleaners were required to meet demand.  Older vehicles were being replaced with larger capacity tankers and wider versatility with jetting equipment.  More background investigative work was needed to identify problems and make a case for additional funding, this would be carried out during the year to make a robust bid which was evidence based to achieve the standards that were required.

·        More consideration be given to the programme of works and spacing out road closures if there were a number planned in one location as it was problematic for visitors to find alternative routes.

·        Road closures which overran had caused problems with the time limitations for HGV drivers and access for school transport,  It was confirmed that the latter would be escorted through road closures.  An explanation was provided for a number of problems experienced recently which included late delivery of material and unseasonably warm temperatures which had prevented material from hardening.  Officers were liaising with the external contractor and the Monitoring, Compliance and Enforcement Officer.

·        Road markings and ‘SLOW’ and safety features such as rumble strips had not been replaced when areas had been resurfaced.  Recent schemes would be reviewed.  Details of locations would be checked with Councillors.

·        The extent of utility works in some areas was having a significant impact on road surfaces.  A request for notification to Councillors would be passed to Street Works.  Reference was made to ‘one.network’.

·        Durability of some road markings was questioned such as 20 mph road markings which were lasting less than 12 months.  These would be referred to the Highways Inspector.

 

Councillors Homer and Kennedy left the meeting.

 

Neighbourhood Services:

 

·        Grass cutting remained on target to achieve the required number of cuts and standards.  Some areas had experienced challenging conditions with warm and wet weather resulting in fast growth and would continue until mid-October.

·        Preparation work had commenced on the winter grounds maintenance works schedules, focusing mainly being on council owned overgrown hedges and shrubbery.  Privately owned hedges would be dealt with by Highways Inspectors giving owners 28 days’ notice.

·        A report on the results of the glyphosate alternative weed trial was to be produced around November and would be shared with Members.

·        The street sweeper was working on the normal schedule but would be moving to leaf hotspots in the next month.  They had worked in partnership with Highways preparing for the Tour of Britain cycle race.

·        A new mobile pick up had been delivered for 1 of 3 routes with increased capacity and other improvements to stop litter blowing out.

·        Residual, Recycling and Garden waste collection services were all operating well with a few minor vehicle breakdowns, staffing shortages and covid restrictions.  A collection had been missed in Charlton due to road resurfacing and would be revisited when they could gain access.

·        Income from garden waste and bulky items had exceeded target with extra slots being created to meet demand.  There had been a reduction in income from commercial waste due to Covid and closure of business earlier in the year, it was hoped it would recover.  Existing collection rounds were to be reviewed.  Extra collections were required at bottle recycling facilities due to increased use.

·        Operational adjustments had been made to cope with the higher than normal domestic waste tonnages.  The situation remained a significant challenge for the service.

·        Verge cutting has been completed county wide in June and July.

·        The assisted bulky waste collections were being reviewed with a view to reinstating the service.

·        Members were requested to notify them of any areas requiring attention for leaves or winter grounds maintenance.

 

Responses to issues raised by Councillors included:

 

·        Ownership of land near Tanners Garth was being investigated.

·        Highways Inspectors were identifying areas of overgrown hedges or shrubs which could become a safety issue by obscuring sight lines and potentially damage large vehicles.  It was agreed proactive action was required.

·        The team were thanked for their work and specifically the speedy removal of material which had recently been fly tipped in Allendale.

 

RESOLVED that the updates be noted.