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:
· The winter services period had now finished and had been mostly relatively mild. All staff involved were thanked for their participation.
· Preparation for surface dressing works had been taking place over the last 6 weeks for 11 schemes in the Tynedale area and over 450,000m2 across the county.
· Work on LTP schemes would commence in June. A one-way system was to be implemented for Hencotes in Hexham during the 6-week summer holidays.
· The number of actionable defects had continued to reduce over the last few months.
· The Tynedale area had received a new hot box which meant that more repairs could be carried out each day. A new gulley wagon had also been delivered and was working around the programmed route and also responding to issues raised.
· A dedicated drainage gang continued to work in the area renewing gulley pots, cross drains and ditching as well as visiting known problem areas including several locations in Haltwhistle, Newbrough and Riding Mill.
· A number of Members schemes had been programmed.
· Visits to wards could be arranged with the Highways Delivery Area Manager on request.
The following issues were discussed:
· Resurfacing work around Hexham High School was scheduled to take place during the Autumn half term school holiday.
· Councillor requested gulleys be cleaned on the A695 at Riding Mill and agreed to email a list of locations after the meeting.
· Timing of repair work from a vehicle collision with the Shambles was queried and whether it could be completed before anniversary celebrations due to take place in October. It was noted Property Services were coordinating repairs from the motor vehicle accident as well as some electrical work and whether listed building consent was required.
Scheme start dates and updates would be provided to Councillors Kennedy, Fairless-Aitken, Stewart, Waddell, Hutchinson.
Councillor Riddle reported that discussions were ongoing regarding design work on Allendale Road which were expected by the end of July. They were taking account of work at the school, could possibly include 20 mph on the lower section and whether a physical chicane was necessary or if it would create additional road safety concerns for HGV movement.
Neighbourhood Services:
· Residual and recycling waste collection services continued to perform well.
· The service was under significant strain from the loss of HGV drivers. Recruitment has proved difficult given the national shortage of HGV drivers and options were being explored including a new job advert strategy.
· Changes had been required at times to meet demand for the bulky waste service, which was constantly monitored, and extra booking slots created to meet the target of collection within 8 days.
· There were nearly 7,200 garden waste customers in the Tynedale area.
· Grass cutting had commenced with 2 or 3 cuts having been carried out which was what was expected with an approximate 3-week cycle. Some delays had been experienced due to wet weather around the bank holiday weekend.
· Weed spraying had commenced and would be carried out over the next 4-6 weeks period if weather conditions permitted. This was not during wet or windy conditions. Any areas of particular concern should be reported to the officers.
· Verge cutting was expected to take place in June and July.
Responses to issues raised by Councillors included:
· Issues regarding contamination of recycling bins were now being investigated by newly appointed officers. Households were normally given a warning letter with contaminated recycling bins emptied with the next residual waste collection. Recycling would then recommence once the bin was emptied.
· Glass could not currently be disposed of in the recycling bins as the processing plant for waste from Northumberland was unable to segregate materials when glass broke. A glass recycling trial was taking place within 4 areas of the county to enable the Council to collect data when Government funding became available. A food waste trial was also proposed be held in the near future.
RESOLVED that the updates be noted.