Agenda item

The Panel will receive a presentation of the Environmental Services Client Manager (Parks & Streets).

The Panel received a presentation from the Client Manager Parks and Streets on the operation of the Veolia Contract – Parks and Streets.

During the presentation Councillor Dhindsa commented that fly tipping was a problem in west Watford (particularly in relation to discarded mattresses) and asked whether analysis could be conducted at the village level.  The Client Manager Parks and Streets explained that the software allowed for drilling down to determine hot spots.

Councillor Hastrick raised the issue of overgrowing trees in North Western Avenue (an unadopted road) that were causing problems to residents and asked how this issue could be resolved as it was private land.  The Client Manager Parks and Streets asked that Councillor Hastrick send him the details and he would progress the matter.

ACTION – The Client Manager Parks and Streets

Councillor Collett asked why there had been no award ceremony for the Green Flag award in Woodside.  The Client Manager Parks and Streets explained that there had only been a ceremony in Oxhey this year but he was looking to expand this more widely in 2015.

Councillor Dhindsa commented that there seemed to be a poor service from Hertfordshire County Council with regard to the maintenance of overgrown hedges.  The Client Manager Parks and Streets explained that previously issues were reported to WBC but now reports were made direct at the county level.  However, if problems were experienced he asked that Councillor Dhindsa should inform him and he would take matters forward.

At the end of the presentation the Chair asked if Members had any questions.

Councillor Dhindsa expressed the view that since Veolia had taken over the contract all was not negative; with the graffiti removal service extremely good.  However, he expressed concern about the street cleaning service in Vicarage and Whippendell Roads making particular reference to leaves not being properly cleared from the surrounds of a local school.  The Client Manager Parks and Streets explained that Veolia had a cleaning plan with regards to leaf removal but their deposit on the streets was somewhat weather dependent (such as in windy weather).  Consequently, the problem could return quite quickly after initial removal.  As a result, Veolia did not have a set measurable standard but rather would respond to issues as they arose and return to the same location where necessary.

In response to a question from Councillor Joynes about the methodology for clearing chewing gum from streets, the Client Manager Parks and Streets explained that this was removed by Veolia in response to reports.  Such removal was priced in to the contract and he advised that the Councillor should report any issues to him and he could then give instruction to Veolia to clear.

Councillor Scudder returned to the issue of leaf clearing explaining that he had recently been talking with the contractor.  They had commented that this had been a particularly bad year for leaf deposits as the autumn period had been elongated.  Consequently, demands on their services had been greater putting  added pressure on delivery.

The Chair asked for clarification on the zero percent figure in respect of finds of graffiti and fly tipping in certain locations.  The Client Manager Parks and Streets explained that this meant that this could mean minor amounts found resulting in this having a ‘B’ score rather than A; which meant completely clear.

The Chair asked whether Veolia carrying out self monitoring was a good idea; drawing the analogy of children marking their own work resulting in higher grades.  The Client Manager Parks and Streets said that his department was able to access the figures and that with regard to the N195 measure; they conducted joint inspections with Veolia.  This was a new process and the measures would become more accurate over time.  Also, a forthcoming independent review would highlight any discrepancies and enable Veolia to be formally approached.  Information from communities and Members would also help provide an accurate picture.

Councillor Dhindsa raised an issue about overflowing bins in Harwoods and Chester Roads.  The Contract Monitoring Officer Parks and Streets undertook to investigate the issue.

ACTION – Contract Monitoring Officer Parks and Streets.

In response to a question from Councillor Dhindsa in relation to funding streams for the planting of trees, the Client manager Parks and Streets explained that a £15K annual budget for the service was cut as part of savings approximately three years ago.  However, it was open to Members to seek funds for such issues through Neighbourhood Forum budgets, for example.

Councillor Dhindsa asked how frequently subways were cleaned as there was a smell of urine on the ring road subway at Vicarage Road.  The Contract Monitoring Officer Parks and Streets explained that such areas should be cleaned and she would find out about frequency and report back to the Panel.

ACTION – Contract Monitoring Officer Parks and Streets

Councillor Dhindsa expressed concern about the cleanliness of the pond in the High Street making particular reference to litter being blown in because there was now no verge surrounding the pond preventing this.  He asked who was responsible for the cleaning.  The Client Manager Parks and Streets explained that this was the responsibility of Veolia.  The Contract Monitoring Officer Parks and Streets commented that the pond was cleaned daily – the outside by 7a.m. and all of the pond water by 10a.m. 

Councillor Martins asked whether the cleaning of the surfacing around the pond could cause damage.  The Client Manager Parks and Streets advised that damage would not be caused as cleaning was conducted gently and advice had been taken on this aspect.

Councillor Dhindsa complimented the Watford town centre for the general good standard of cleanliness.

In response to a question from Councillor Dhindsa about problems with the weeding of footpaths in Vicarage Ward, the Client Manager Parks and Streets explained that work was ongoing in this regard and there had been some issues with a new herbicide which it was hoped would be resolved thereby improving the situation. 

Councillor Counter made reference to item ES14 in the Performance Report stating that she would have liked to have seen more detail in respect of the 18 complaints - but it was good that there had been no actual objections.  The Client Manager Parks and Streets said that he was seeking to get more descriptive information in this regard which he would provide to the Panel.

ACTION – Client Manager Parks and Streets

Councillor Dhindsa asked whether it was possible to determine the take up of recycling by the public – drawing an analogy of his knowledge of practices in a local prison.  The Contract Monitoring Officer Parks and Streets explained that some analysis had recently been conducted at Wiggenhall Depot which she could make available to the Panel.  She also undertook to inform the Panel of how Veolia publicised recycling schemes to the public.

ACTION – Contract Monitoring Officer Parks and Streets

Councillor Scudder commented that the research could be used to target recycling approaches to the right areas.

Councillor Joynes asked whether food waste should be wrapped before being discarded.  The Contract Monitoring Officer Parks and Streets said that this was not necessary and the waste could be put straight in to the appropriate receptacle.

The Chair asked when the ballot was to take place with regard to Oxhey Grange and Paddock Road allotments.  The Client Manager Parks and Streets said it was hoped these would take place sooner rather than later but commented that two recent meetings had been poorly attended.  As a result the matter may not go straight to ballot.  He stated that the Council would not proceed if the ballot outcome was negative.

Councillor Hastrick asked about the importance given to Green Flag awards.  The Client Manager Parks and Streets explained that this was a real priority and the ideal would be that more parks in Watford achieved the award.  However, some parks needed investment and the funding available would reduce owing to Section 106 monies being replaced by the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL)  In the future, growth bids would be made on capital which may provide funds for the next four to five years.  There was also the potential to obtain grant funding for improvement projects.

In response to a question from Councillor Dhindsa about the cricket pitch at Cassiobury, the Client Manager Parks and Streets confirmed that this was maintained by the trained staff that also looked after Woodside.  He undertook to check why the Cassiobury pitch was not roped off out of season.

ACTION – Client Manager Parks and Streets

In response to a question from the Chair about the removal of fencing around the tennis courts in Cassiobury Park and some concerns around this expressed by Councillor Dhindsa; the Client Manager Parks and Streets explained that this was part of the restoration of the park with particular regard to enhancing its historic features and this included the former Carriage Drive which runs alongside the redundant tennis courts.  He explained it would have been disproportionate to retain the fencing having regard to the low number of people using the former tennis courts.  Also, modern design principles did not provide for the fencing of areas and as such the redundant courts were now restored back to the park.  He concluded by saying that there were no adverse comments about removing the fencing during an 18 month consultation period.

Councillor Collett expressed concern about the number of staff available to Veolia to clean the Woodside ward – particularly in relation to Nottingham Close and Sheriff Way.  She felt that after the cleaning of shop fronts there was insufficient capacity for street cleaning.  She explained that she had received a number of complaints from residents groups in the locality and suggested that another member of staff should be employed.  The Client Manager Parks and Streets undertook to look in to the issue and report back to the Panel commenting that agency staff were being replaced by full time employees that should improve the situation.

ACTION – Client Manager Parks and Streets