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 an update from Michael Carle which covered the following main points:-
· Large areas of tarmac patching on roads and cycle tracks following the bad weather. Further work was planned for the A192, Holywell (Pre SD), Broadlaw, Annitsford, Fisher Lane, Cramlington and Mindrum Way, Seaton Delaval
· Drainage improvements had been carried out on the A189 Spine Road and Horton Road
· Flags to Flex was being carried out at various locations
· Tarmac resurfacing work would be done at Hawthorn Nurseries, Holywell and at Acomb Avenue, Seaton Delaval.
· Tarmac patching preparation work had been completed at Crammond Way, Cramlington, Blagdon Terrace, Cramlington and Cateran Way, Cramlington. Preparation work at Cherry Tree Drive, Bedlington was expected to be completed before April.
· He updated members on the winter services delivered during the recent spell of bad weather in February. Feedback had been very positive during and after the event and he thanked everyone involved for their efforts.
Members asked a number of questions including:-
· Councillor Flux commented on the excellent work carried out on Sudberry Way but asked why the other area had just been patched. Mr Carle advised that there was a scoring system for work to be done but he would check this out and respond.
· Councillor Bowman welcomed the work which had been done on Acomb Avenue but queried why the full length was not being done as he had understood that the whole area would be as in the plan to residents. Mr Carle replied that his team worked to plans produced by the Integrated Transport Team. He would check out the position regarding the wider area as it was possible that the works were being phased.
· Councillor Daley echoed the thanks to the winter services staff for their recent efforts and commented that potholes were getting repaired very quickly. He urged members to report potholes if they saw them and not leave it to someone else. He also felt it was important that manhours should be referred to as workforce hours. This would give a more positive message and encourage people into jobs they were good at regardless of gender. Language could sometimes put people off.
· Councillor Hepple welcomed the quick responses he received to queries he had raised with the team.
· Councillor Swinburn commented that all of the work done in Cramlington Village had made a big difference as it hadn’t been touched for some time. He referred to an area at the top end of Dudley Lane and the main road which went past Sainsbury’s and the roundabout. He had repeatedly reported potholes in this area, which did get filled, but it looked like the sub surface had fallen away and the road was sinking. This was one of the busiest sections of road in Cramlington and there were very big ruts where the buses stopped. Recent work on the kerbs had been destroyed by buses. He asked if this could be looked at more carefully instead of just keep filling in the holes. Mr Carle agreed this was a high stress area, As regards the previous work, he would make sure this was picked up by the local inspector to ensure the road was getting its monthly inspection. Councillor Swinburn also reported that there were some street lights out outside the library following the installation of the car charging points. Mr Carle agreed to pick this up also.
· Councillor Robinson commented that at the last meeting he had asked about a reduction in the 40mph speed limit to 30 mph on the Choppington road which had been supported at a planning meeting, and the road into Bedlington from Netherton Village as residents were reporting problems exiting the estate. Mr Carle would chase this up with the Integrated Transport Team and have them respond direct.
Mr Gribbin reported as follows:
· The recent cold weather had posed some challenges for his service also but the South East area had coped well and NEET operatives had also ensured that vaccination areas had been fully maintained.
· Teams were in the final stages of preparation for the up and coming grass season with equipment being serviced. Grass cutting should start in the next couple of weeks if dry enough. Seasonal staff were being recruited and weed control was being taken on in-house. Trials of glysophate alternatives would be carried out this year.
· An increase in footfall was expected again this summer so Street Cleansing services would probably need to be enhanced this year and staff were prepared for this.
· The garden waste collection service had begun again, and at £43 for 20 collections, this offered excellent value for money.
· The recycling glass trial in Bedlington had now had four collections and the presentation had been very encouraging. He would have some facts and figures for the next LAC meeting.
Members asked a number of questions, including:-
· Councillor Swinburn asked that some information be made available on the Council’s website about the safe use of weedkiller to answer concerns from the public to assist members. He also raised a problem with the grass verge at Doddington Drive, which was being chewed up by larger delivery vehicles on the bend due to its shape as people moved into the properties. He asked if something could be done until a longer term solution was found to the issue. Mr Gribbin agreed to look at this.
· Councillor Robinson asked whether there was any update on the flooding problem at Westlea Cemetery. Mr Gribbin advised that the contractor was to do a further CCTV survey and was looking to put drainage in at the bottom end, probably in April. The older section was more challenging and he did not have the answer for that yet. However, it was still on his radar.
The Chair thanked officers for their reports.