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:

10 

LOCAL SERVICES ISSUES 

 

Tony Gribbin, Local Services Area Manager provided the following updates:- 

 

Waste Service 

  • Residual and Recycling waste collection services continued to perform well.  
  • Demand for the bulky waste service remained high 
  • Garden waste service is up and running and is also performing well.  There was now a total of 10,000 plus customers in the south east 
  • Domestic bin collection teams would be out on Thursday 2nd June to prevent any disruption to services /public. 

 

Grass Cutting 

  • Now on cut 3 in Cramlington / 4 in Seaton Valley and 4 Bedlington. 
  • The start to grass cutting season saw a few interruptions in the form of wet weather and bank holidays, this made the gap between some cuts a little longer, however the team was working to recover this and if necessary, have sanctioned overtime to cover lost days. 
  • Still confident of achieving the target cuts in each area 

  

 Weed Control 

  • Weed treatments had commenced in areas in the LAC, with obstacles in Seaton Valley well underway and many in Cramlington still to do, as areas are completed, Councillors would be advised.  
  • A small mechanical sweeper had been deployed in Bedlington for weed treatment 

 

Bereavement Services 

  • Running as expected 
  • Service demands had reduced  
  • Muslim burial ground nearing completion in Bedlington Cemetery and area being prepared 

 

In response to questions from Members of the Committee, the following information was provided:- 

 

  • Mr Gribbin would investigate the early bin collection which some residents had missed in Bedlington and would report back. 
  • Complaints about grass cutting in Westlea cemetery – two different teams were deployed to undertake grass cutting in the cemeteries, the same team were required to prepare graves and cover staff in the crematorium.   Meetings had been carried out to help speed up the process.  He was aware of some of the issues in the cemeteries and was actively working with colleagues.   
  • Blue dye was being carried out for weed killing 
  • Weed killing was being carried out in the Cramlington estates but was dependent on staff resources and deployment to prioritised services.  Mr Gribbin would speak to the team.  A number of small domestic strimmers had been purchased which should be able to be used around lamp posts.  
  • Mr Gribbin noted the comments regarding grass cutting on banks and Ringwood Drive, Cramlington 
  • There was a limited street cleansing team in Cramlington, and a pedestrian cutter had to be borrowed from another area.  If members identified any areas, please inform the team. 
  • Mr Gribbin was not aware of any green fly-tipping in Holywell Dene 
  • The edging programme was a winter programme, specific areas should be passed to Mr Gribbin 
  • The sweeper was a shared resource between Bedlington and Ashington; Cramlington borrowed the sweeper from Seaton Valley 
  • The number of cuts in Cramlington was every 14 days, following the removal of partnership between Cramlington Town Council and NCC.  Some new staff were not up to speed with using some of the machinery.  Mechanical issues and challenges getting replacement parts and new vehicles impacted on the service.   
  • A number of teams were deployed to carry out arterial and estate routes.  New software made it easier to identify parcels of grass and it was hoped that this would address any issues. 
  • Councillor Dunbar conveyed praise from a resident in Eastfield Glade and asked if thanks could be passed on to the operative 
  • Mr Gribbin noted the comments regarding weeds around Klondyke,  Mayfield Glade and Beaconhill Grange.  The grass cutting mechanism was weather dependent. 
  • Spraying weeds did not kill them instantly, the weed rip was instant and most effective.  A new machine was purchased last year with a permanent weed rip. 

 

(Councillor Flux left the meeting at 5:58 pm). 

 

(Councillor Chicken left the meeting at 6:00 pm) 

 

M Carle, Lead Highways Delivery Manager provided an update to the Committee:- 

 

  • 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 has been carried out in the following locations; 

 

  • Carriageway and footway Work were being programmed to start in the coming weeks and all affected members would be notified in advance. 

 

Drainage Improvements: 

 

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

 

  • Prospect Avenue, Seaton Delaval (Investigation work complete) 
  • A189 Spine Road  
  • St. Michaels Avenue (Drainage investigations – Improvement work to start in coming weeks) the relevant member will be notified. 

 

LTP - Carriageway Resurfacing 

 

LTP Carriageway Resurfacing schemes were being programmed and all affected members would be notified in advance. 

 

Micro/Surface Dressing 

 

  • Dene View, Bedlington 
  • Nedderton Village, Bedlington 

 

Signage/Safety Schemes 

 

  • Furnace Bank, Bedlington 
  • New Hartley School Signs 
  • A189 Spine Road (Storm Arwen Damage) 

 

 

Winter Maintenance 

  

Winter Services 2021/22 was now complete.  Forecast observations ended at the end of April 22. 

 

All the gritting fleet that did not have a dual function would be prepped ready for Winter Services 22/23.  

 

Observation of the forecasts would commence again on 1st October 2022 with full winter services commencing in full across the county on the 31st of October 2022 for Winter Services 22/23 season. 

 

Members were informed that Alan Taylor had recently retired, and Peter Davidson had taken over his role. 

 

In response to member questions the following information was provided:- 

 

  • A notification would be forwarded to all Bedlington Councillors regarding the date for the interactive speed signs. 
  • The street lighting at High Pit Road would be raised with Gavin Barlow. 
  • An ad-hoc inspection would be carried out regarding the potholes near the Burton House pub. 
  • The parking issue at Alex Scott cars would be revisited and the issue regarding Brechany cars would be passed on to Integrated Transport. 
  • Officers would liaise with Highways regarding the road at Park View, Seaton Delaval. 
  • Thanks were conveyed for the repair of the roundabout at Fountain Head, but this had now sprung a leak. 
  • Mr Carle would contact Russell Mason regarding the tarmacking referred to by Councillor Robinson 
  • Officers would continue to try to contact Shenstone regarding the carpark behind Dewley shops.  

 

Members thanked the officers for their attendance and the work of their teams in responding to the Members requests.