Agenda item

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. 

Members received the following updates and explanation of the impact of Covid-19 on front line services from Tony Gribbin, Neighbourhood Services Area Manager:   

 

NEAT – Grounds Maintenance: 

 

Covid 

 

Staff in all sections continued to deliver high profile services despite the continued challenges of COVID.  Revised working practices and continued self-isolation conditions. 

 

Bereavement Services (SE) 

 

Thankfully cremation service numbers and burial number were as expected around this time of year. 

 

Grass Cutting 

 

Grass cutting has been completed for the season 

There had been some challenging period throughout the year with very wet the periods of very hot weather 

The team was currently on cut 10 in Bedlington, cut 18 in Seaton Valley and 12/13 in Cramlington, as some areas were too wet to complete the 13^th cut in some areas 

 

Street Sweeping 

 

The team was working through their normal areas but have moved to leaf hot spots and members were thanked who had assisted in identifying accumulations 

As usual, any areas of attention should be brought to the team 

 

Winter Works 

 

The programme has commenced and would continue until March 2022. 

 

Waste Service: 

 

Residual, recycling and garden waste collection services were all operating well 

 

The collections rounds and resources were currently be reviewed in the south east due to the current housing developments. 

 

Glass recycling facilities continued to be well used and  additional collections were being targeted in those areas showing high usage.  The trial area in this LAC are was Bedlington.  The trial had been extended for an additional 12 months to capture more data to ensure the data captured so far had  not been distorted by COVID/lockdown and the new Environment Bill Legislation was also being consulted on.  Also, it was expected that Central Government would provide burden funding so it did not directly cos NCC council tax payers. 

 

Demand for bulky waste collections remained high and a temporary crew had been deployed to address the increased demand.  This would be reviewed post Christmas. 

 

Domestic waste tonnages remained higher than pre-lockdown, operation adjustments had been made in an effort to cope with the demand, but the situation remained a significant challenge for the service. 

 

There would be a change of collection days over the Christmas period. 

 

Members asked a number of questions including:- 

 

• Service delivery and climate change - how was that being reflected in policies in the Cramlington area? 
• Grass cutting in certain areas. 

• Residents and motorists had complained about the height of the weeds at Broadoaks roundabout, which blocked their view.  A scheme had been intimated to get rid of the weeds and had anything been done about it?  
• The removal of weeds in Bedlington 
• Where were the pilot projects for glass collection ? 
• Was the hedge and bush cutting in the programme? 
• A bottle bin had been requested to the Community Centre in Bedlington but nothing had been received. 

• Leaf clearance on cycleways and estates 
• Problems with gully cleaning and leaves 
• When will the overgrown weeds at the islands at roundabouts, Barns Park and the Burn be addressed ? 

 

Mr Gribbin reported as follows: 

 

• A harder approach would be taken cutting back the shrubs and hedges, so when it grew back it would not encroach. 
• Regarding the grass cutting, he had spoken to the contractor who would assess whether to mulch or cut and remove 
• The maintenance of the Broadoaks roundabout was the developer's responsibility, but from a safety point of view, Mr Gribbin said the team would try and resolve this. 
• There had been a delay in treating the weeds in Bedlington as the machine had broken down and was awaiting repair. 

• The pilot scheme for glass collection was in West Bedlington.  There had been a series of pilot areas across 11,000 houses which would be escalated to 13000 and the trial would be extended for another 12 months.  The scheme had been very successful.  The Council wanted to ensure that the data they have received is not artificial because of lockdown.  It was hoped that funding would be available from Central Government to implement the costs. 
• There was a 22 week winter maintenance period.  Grass cutting starts in March depending on weather conditions. 
• He had asked for a bottle bin to be placed at the community centre. 
• The leaf clearance in the estates had not been done yet.  A driver and vehicle had been requested from another area 
• The problems with gully cleaning and autumn leaf fall was a problem.  The Council did not have the resources and had to target the resources they had as strategically as possible.  It was hoped to get a machine a soon as they could or blow the leaves away with backpacks and use the small machines. 

• The new mechanical ripping machine was going to be used on the roundabouts, but the condition of the surface was a concern in case it was damaged.  He had hoped to have a meeting with the Environment Agency regarding riparian ownership.  He had met with one of the flood defence officers and had emailed for an update.  Once he received this information, it would be shared. 
• He had reported the problem of the footbridge to colleagues in the countryside team, however, the bridge was not registered to anyone but he would chase this up and report back. 

 

Members received the following updates from Mick Carle, Highways Delivery Services Area Manager:   

 

All Highways Inspectors and maintenance crews continued to work Inspecting, fixing carriageway defects, making repairs and making safe category one defects across the South East area.  

 

The gully emptier was fully deployed dealing with reported issues and cyclic maintenance. 

 

Larger Tarmac Patching had been carried out in the following locations; 

 

• St. Johns Road, Bedlington 
• Hartford Road, Bedlington 
• Cheviot View, Seghill 
• Exeter Close, Cramlington 

• Rear Tintagel Close, Cramlington 
• Lower End of Totness Drive, Cramlington 
• Rear Brockwell Centre 
• Whitsun Grove, Bedlington 

 

Drainage Improvements: 

 

Drainage Improvements had been carried out in the following area: 

 

• Beatty Road, Bedlington 

 

The area teams were continuously looking and programming future planed works both patching and drainage improvements. 

 

LTP - Carriageway Resurfacing 

 

LTP Carriageway Resurfacing schemes had been carried out in the following areas: 

 

• Cumbrian Road, Cramlington 
• Stead Lane, Bedlington 
• Bedlington Bank 

• Beaconhill, Cramlington 
• A189 Spine Road North of the A19 Moor Farm 
• Fisher Lane, Cramlington 
• Nelson R/A, Cramlington 
• East Hartford, Cramlington 

 

Footway and Carriageway LTP Resurfacing had been identified and programmed for the following areas: 

 

• Stead Lane, Bedlington 
• Arcot Avenue, Cramlington 

• A192 East Hartford, Cramlington 

 

Winter Maintenance 

  

A Winter Services Preparedness Report had been previously reported as an information item. 

 

Members raised the following questions:- 

 

• Was there an update for the speed sign request for Attlee Bank? 
• Resurfacing of bank on Bedlington bank on the Blyth side 

• Traffic speed signs study.  Had the signs been effective? 
• A report was requested regarding the consistency of speed indicators signs across the county, what is a good sign, what is good practice and why the signs were different in Cramlington.  The Chair agreed that a report should be forthcoming. 
• The repair work Shields Road was going to be in the LTP but was not in the programme 
• A request for missing streets signs and one to be moved in Cramlington village, no action had been taken.  The Chair would forward the email to Mr Carle to chase up. 
• The carpark behind Dewley shops at Cramlington which was in a bad condition and believed to be owned by Shenstone.  Was there any update on negotiations?  

 

Mr Carle responded as follows:- 

 

• The request for the speed sign had been passed on when it had been raised and he would chase this up. 
• The bank was done with micro asphalt the year before and was in good order 

• The traffic speeds signs were the responsibility of the Integrated Transport Team.  Some signs could be switched off but still record and download the information and could also record whilst switched off.  He would speak to colleagues regarding this. 
• Regarding Shields Road, it would depend how high that had scored, but he would check and chase this up. 
• He would speak to Russell Mason regarding the carpark behind the shops and also Shenstone. 

 

RESOLVED that the information be noted and issues set out in the bullet points above be followed up.