The Bradford South Area Coordinator will submit a report(Document “K”) which provides an update relating to Council Wardens, Environmental Enforcement and Street Cleansing in the Bradford South Area. It highlights a developing approach that delivers on the cleaner/greener agenda at an Area, Ward, neighbourhood and street level that is supported by residents, businesses and community organisations as part of the People Can – Make a Difference Campaign.

Recommended –

That the Bradford South Area Committee notes and welcomes the information in this report.

Overview and Scrutiny Committee: Environment and Waste Management

            (Damian Fisher/Louise Williams - 01274 437146 / 01274 431066)

The Bradford South Area Coordinator submitted a report(Document “K”) which provided an update relating to Council Wardens, Environmental Enforcement and Street Cleansing in the Bradford South Area. It highlighted a developing approach that delivered on the cleaner/greener agenda at an Area, Ward, neighbourhood and street level that was supported by residents, businesses and community organisations as part of the People Can – Make a Difference Campaign.

Appended to the report was information relating to the service requests and performance monitoring for street cleansing and environmental issues being dealt with by Council Wardens.

Concern had previously been expressed about the level of litter, particularly in the Great Horton area; however, the appendices to the report depicted a great improvement in the amount of litter.  This was attributed to an increased presence by the clean team who had worked closely with the enforcement officers  in the area.  The close working relationship between those teams had resulted in the significant improvements seen. 

Members questioned the definition of detritus and it was explained that this referred to the dirt around the gutters.  In previous reports the figure had been low, however, that figure had now increased as less sweeping had been done due to more work being done to obtain a behaviour change around litter.

The weight of the Big Belly Bins and how those receptacles were emptied was questioned.  It was explained that the waste was compacted; a signal was transmitted when the bin was full and doors were opened and the rubbish removed.   The availability of those bins was suggested for other areas and it was explained that the volume of rubbish was analysed in areas to decide if they were suitable for the ‘Big Belly’ type receptacles.  A Member suggested that bins located on Broadstone Way in Holmewood were located inappropriately.  It was suggested that the bins should be located along the route which residents took to their homes from the takeaway restaurants in that area rather than outside of the businesses.

The availability of cashless parking in the Bradford South area was questioned and Members were assured that, although there was little payable parking in the Bradford South area, the ability to pay via the meters was still available. 

The difficulties in catching dog owners whose pets were fouling the area were discussed.  It was explained that Wardens had patrolled the area, however, pet owners often moved on to another patch when they witnessed the wardens presence.  Wardens were being asked to talk to residents about the issues to deter that behaviour.   

An increase in the number of complaints in the Great Horton Ward reported in Document “K” was questioned and it was explained that this was likely because of the increased presence of Council Wardens and residents being encouraged to report issues.

The scope of the Crime Protection Notices and Community Protection Warnings reported in Document K  was questioned.  It was explained that a presentation was being given to the Planning Panels and could be shared with Bradford South Members if they so wished.

It was queried if the mechanical sweeper units differentiated between roads and the amount of detritus and it was agreed to get more technical information about that operation for the next report.

Resolved –

1.    That the information in Document “K” be noted and welcomed.

2.    That the Area Co-ordinator and his staff be thanked for the work outlined in Document “K” and in particular for the efforts undertaken in the Great Horton Ward.

Action: Strategic Director, Place

Environment and Waste Management Overview and Scrutiny Committee