Agenda and minutes

It was confirmed that all items on the agenda would be considered in public.

Agreed as accurate records, subject to an amendment to the Committee Members present on 12 May, so that it reads Councillor Jas Dhot as Labour Lead.

The Committee was provided with details of the background to possible review topics for this Municipal Year.

The Deputy Director of Residents Services attended the meeting and provided the Committee with the background to a potential review on the disposal of charity waste at New Years Green Lane Civic Amenity Site.

The Committee was informed that there had been increasing occurrences of charities from outside the Borough who brought their waste to New Years Green Lane. Disposal of waste from charity shops within the Borough was currently permitted free of charge.

However, large quantities of waste from charities outside of the Borough were being disposed of at New Years Green Lane Civic Amenity Site. This was occurring because some neighbouring authorities were now charging for the disposal of charity waste within their boundaries.

Reference was made to charities that provided house clearance services and that unwanted items were disposed of at New Years Green Lane.

The Committee was informed that it cost £130 per tonne for classified trade waste and it was estimated that for last year New Years Green lane processed around 262 tonnes of charity waste, which would cost the Council £34,000 to process. If treated as trade waste, this would have brought the Council £42,000 in revenue.

The Committee agreed that for the next meeting of the Committee a scoping report be submitted on the topic which would provide further background information, together with possible options which would be available for the Council.

A number of possible review topics were discussed which included: Shisha Bars, Litter bins which were being used for household domestic waste, Maintaining Hillingdon's heritage, the use of cycle lanes and the work of Street Champions.

Officers would give consideration to the areas suggested.       

RESOLVED –

1. That the information provided be noted and officers be asked to prepare a draft scoping report for the next meeting, together with more background information, on the problem of charity waste at News Year Green Lane Civic Amenity Site.   

The Committee was provided with an update on Weed control as requested at the last meeting.

Members were informed that at the Cabinet meeting on 21 January 2016 agreed a new contract for weed control within the Borough.

The new contract would provide a high quality weed control programme across the Borough that assisted in the maintenance of the highways and housing estates to be weed free and increase resident satisfaction.

Members were informed that weed control was also a key element in achieving the Green Flag Awards and contributed to the 'In Bloom' campaign.

The addition of a vegetable dye in the applications allowed for visual monitoring of the works that also allowed both Members and residents to see when works had been carried out.

The new contract was more comprehensive and had been updated to incorporate additional areas of work such as tree boxes and housing garage areas that wouldl provide a more inclusive service across the Borough. 

Reference was also made to technological advancements with the new supplier, for example GIS mapping and reporting, so officers could report where chemicals had been applied to be able to supply more accurate information to Members and residents. In addition, the vehicles that were used to apply the chemical on the highway, used an electronic eye to only spray the weeds and therefore were more efficient.

The Committee was informed that the contract reflected possible changes to the future use/restriction of chemicals and included a trial of a non chemical treatment.  

The Committee noted that these changes would improve the service to residents.

Members asked that at an officer be requested to attend a future meeting to provide Members with further information  

RESOLVED –

1. That the information provided be noted.    

Noted.

The Committee asked that consideration be given to briefings at future meetings on cemeteries and the size of plots, an update on the use of Khat in the Borough and CCTV within the Borough.    

Noted.