MINUTES OF ENVIRONMENT SCRUTINY COMMITTEE

Tuesday, 25^th July 2000 at 7.30 pm

PRESENT: Councillor J Long (Convenor) and Councillors Dromey, H Patel,

K J Patel, Rands and Sengupta.

Councillors Persuad (Deputy Lead Member for Environment), and Lyon also attended the meeting.

Councillor Moloney attended part of the meeting.

1. Declarations of Interest

There were none at this meeting.

2. Minutes of the last Meeting held on 27^th June 2000

RESOLVED:-

that the minutes of the above meeting be agreed as a true and accurate record.

3. Matters Arising

Abandoned Vehicles Removal

Councillor H Patel questioned whether abandoned vehicles all on one street could be removed at the same time. Mr Suresh Kamath (Deputy Director for Environmental Services) responded that vehicles were removed in the order that they were reported to the Department. Therefore the cars that had been there the longest were removed first but if the contractor was able to move several cars from one street at the same time, they would do so. Councillor H Patel expressed concern that vehicles were remaining abandoned on particular streets for a long period of time. Mr Kamath stated that this could be because the vehicle had been claimed therefore officers would not be able to remove it.

Any Other Urgent Business

Councillor Persaud informed members that at present there were no funds to start a pilot scheme to clean alleyways. However he would continue to review the situation.

4. Deputations

There were none at this meeting.

5. Recommendation Tracking

This report updated members on the outcome of recommendations made by the Committee to the Public Services Deciding Committee in cycles 5 to 9. Members felt that it would be helpful if they received decision tracking reports.

RESOLVED:-

that the report be noted.

PART I - RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE PUBLIC SERVICES DECIDING COMMITTEE

6. Tackling Graffiti

Councillor H Patel had called this item in as he wished to express

This report informed members that graffiti was a growing problem across the borough and there was increasing public concern about the unslightliness that it created. The report suggested how the Council should be responding to the problem.

In response to the call in, the Committee heard that a request for funding would be submitted to the corporate deciding committee in order for funding to be allocated to tackle the problem of graffiti. Members heard that two pilot areas had been selected to target graffiti as experience from other boroughs had shown that tackling a small area which had an active community was often successful. Harlesden have an active environmental group H.E.A.R.T. (Harlesden Environmental Action for Residents and Traders) and Kingsbury have an active community who have expressed concern about graffiti through the Area Forums.

In response to a query from Councillor Rands Mr Kamath stated that the authority had a responsibility to prevent crime. They would look at ways to prevent graffiti through using CCTV and liasing with the police. Members felt that it was important that all departments took measures to prevent graffiti especially on property such as schools. At the end of the discussion the Convenor moved an amendment to clause (ii) below and an additional recommendation as shown in (iii), which were CARRIED.

RECOMMENDED:-

(i) that the report be noted and the setting up of the cross service Working Group on Graffiti be welcomed;

(ii) that the anti graffiti policy as described in the report be adopted across the Borough with initial pilot schemes in Harlesden and Kingsbury and Council occupied offices across the borough. The initiative taken by the Area Forums in raising the profile of this issue be welcomed and the need for a multi-agency approach be noted.

(iii) that a recommendation be given to the corporate deciding committee that a minimum of £100 000 be allocated as funding to tackle graffiti.

7. Kingsbury Pool Planning Brief

Councillor Lorber called in this item for scrutiny but was not present at the meeting. Councillors H Patel, Taylor, Fiegel and Mrs Fernandes called this item in for scrutiny as they wished to express concern.

Members received this report seeking approval for a Planning Brief which had been prepared by the Planning Service in conjunction with internal departments and their advisers, local residents, community and sports groups and members of the local Area Consultative Forum. Members of the Environment Committee had previously agreed a Brief for the site in 1990 but the document had become ineffective and outdated. The Brief is based on the policies in the adopted Unitary Development Plan and would provide guidance to the developers, whether led by the Council or private initiative, on the form of the development in this parkland setting that the Council, as both Planning and Highway Authority, considered acceptable. The Brief also established the planning justification for a proposed Section 106 Agreement associated with the future planning application for the site.

Councillor H Patel expressed concern that there was not enough parking provision in the brief. He also suggested that a multi storey car park or an underground carpark could be built as there were many restrictions regarding on street parking in that area. Mr Geoff Hewlett (Planning Manager) informed members that the planning brief was not compiled to give specific requirements. However the number of car parking spaces for the site would be based on the uses that would be developed. An example was given of tennis courts needing a lot less parking spaces than a bowling alley. Members heard that it was intended to provide community facilities for all different aged groups not just teenagers.

A question was raised on behalf of Councillor McDonald who was unable to attend the meeting. He expressed concern that a library was proposed to be included in the initial planning brief however this was no longer the case. Mr Hewlett informed members that through the consultation process it had been discovered that people were happy to have two libraries however they did not want the library at Stag Lane to close. If a new library was opened it was likely that the Stag Lane library would close therefore it was felt that the space should be used for a facility that residents did not already have.

RECOMMENDED:-

that the Planning Brief be agreed for the purposes of supplementary planning guidance for developers and as a material consideration for assessing any planning application for the site.

8. Exclusion of Press and Public

The following item is not for publication as it contains the following category of exempt information as specified in paragraph 9 schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972:

`Any terms proposed or to be proposed by or to the Authority in the course of negotiations for a contract for the acquisition or disposal or the supply of goods or services.'

9. Dollis Hill House - Marketing Exercise

Councillors H Patel, Taylor, Kansagra and Fiegel called this item in for scrutiny for the following reasons:

Members considered a report which dealt with the marketing exercise undertaken to find a private sector partner to restore and redevelop Dollis Hill House. The available options were considered.

Councillor H Patel felt that the two options to be considered should be submitted subject to alternative options given by members of the public also being considered. He felt that the options given were very similar to Conservative proposals. Mr Kamath responded that all other options had been considered in September and that the two options currently proposed were the only ones that are financially viable. Mr Kamath undertook to write to Councillor H Patel with insurance details regarding this item. Members heard that a leaflet and information pack had been given to bidders.

Members were informed that the public would be consulted on the options available through an article in Brent magazine with a tear off slip that people could send in. There would also be a public meeting in early September and a leaflet drop.

Councillor H Patel summarised the minority view on this issue proposing an amendment to the recommendation that it should contain a proviso to consider any other alternative options from members of the public, which when put to the meeting was declared lost.

RECOMMENDED:-

(i) that the two options outlined in the report be submitted for public consultation.

10. Readmittance of the press and public

RESOLVED:

that the press and public be readmitted to the meeting.

PART II - OTHER SCRUTINY BUSINESS OF THE COMMITTEE

11. Progress on Installation of Street Lighting under PFI Contract - July 2000

Members received a report updating on the progress made in upgrading the Borough's street lighting infrastructure in accordance with the terms of the PFI Lighting contract. Over 7,200 columns had been upgraded, however nearly 1, 000 thousand columns were unconnected. Officers were continuing their efforts to ensure programmed implementation was achieved and that the delays in connections are substantially reduced. A table was circulated at the meeting which provided a further update on progress of the installation of the street lighting PFI contract.

Mr Bob Theobald, the Manager for 24 Seven, informed the Committee that whilst 24 Seven was now one company, the operational teams were still working separately because they had two separate electricity supply networks and two sets of safety rules.

Councillor Dromey expressed concern over the timescale it had taken to connect columns. Streets in his ward had excavations left open for between five and six weeks however the situation had now been rectified. Councillor H Patel passed his congratulations to Websters for the work that they had done. Councillor Rands expressed concern that the proposal to connect 900 columns in the Eastern electricity area by the end of September may be too ambitious. However Mr Theobald informed him that extra resources would be brought in to meet the challenge and offered to return to the Committee to inform members whether or not targets had been met.

RESOLVED:-

that the contents of this report be noted.

12. Promotion of Allotment Plots

Mr Shaun Faulkner (Head of Parks Service) introduced the report which outlined steps taken to promote and improve the take up of allotment plots within the Borough.

Mr Faulkner referred to points 7.4, 7.5, 7.6 and 7.7 in the report which informed members of marketing strategies that could be used to improve the take up of allotments. Councillor H Patel suggested that a public display could be used to market the allotments and Councillor Rands stated that local garden centres may be happy to display posters. Members heard that at present £12 000 a year was received from the letting of allotment plots within the Borough. However the annual expenditure for the management of these sites was £20 000 per annum.

The Committee heard that it was intended to sell a section of the Gibbons Road allotment site and to use part of the proceeds to improve the infrastructure and facilities on the remainder of the site and other sites. Members were informed that this section of the Gibbons Road allotment site was subject to intense vandalism and had very poor access for the elderly and disabled. Money raised could be used to improve fencing and provide toilets at other allotment sites.

Members were informed that the section of the Gibbons Road allotment site was unoccupied and unused. A report regarding this site was to be presented at a meeting of the Corporate Scrutiny Committee and a recommendation was to refer the report to the Public Services Deciding Committee for them to declare the allotment site surplus to requirements. Members of the Scrutiny Committee felt that this report should be presented to the Environment Scrutiny Committee before it was referred to the Public Services Deciding Committee. Mr Faulkner stated that residents supported the sale of the site and preferred investment to be made in other sites rather than retaining a site that was not used.

Member were informed that there were three different grades of allotment. Grade A allotments would have toilets and decent access whilst a typical grade C allotment may have no sheds or toilets. Members noted that three allotment sites were non-statutory and requested information as to how they could become statutory. Mr Faulkner stated that the non-statutory sites would have to be re classified. At the end of the discussion the Convenor moved two additional amendments as shown in (ii) and (iii), which were CARRIED:

RESOLVED:-

(i) that the contents of the report be noted;

(ii) that officers be requested to make enquires as to how the three non statutory sites could be re classified to become statutory sites;

(iii) that the report regarding the sale of the Gibbons Road allotment site be available to be presented to the Environment Scrutiny Committee before the Public Services Deciding Committee.

13. Revenue Budget Monitoring 2000/1

Members received a report concerning the position of the Environment budget for the period April to June 2000, for services undertaken by E.S. Directorate, the Parks Service, StreetCare and Transportation Services. It also advised members of the financial performance of the other service units under Environmental Services' remit.

Members noted that there was an issue regarding the increased inventory of Streetlights that was resulting in increased payments in the PFI contract and heard that funding would be sought from the Corporate Deciding Committee for future years.

In response to a query from Councillor H Patel, Mr Richard Saunders (Director of Environmental Services) informed Members that it was normal in the first quarter of a year to underspend budgets. Throughout the year staff posts would be filled therefore budget targets would be met.

Councillor Rands questioned whether front opening compost bins could be purchased for elderly residents who often found it difficult to lift the boxes. Mr Saunders stated that he would look at this possibility.

RESOLVED:-

that the contents of the report be noted.

14. Performance Reporting April - June 2000

Members received a report detailing the quarterly performance monitoring statistics for services undertaken by Environmental Services for the period April-June 2000. The report was sent in advance to members as a separate document.

Members that this was the first quarter where all street properties had a green box and that the percentage of recycling had gone down. Mr Saunders informed Members that he had spoken to Mr Chris Lace (Streetcare) regarding the figures for waste and recycling. There was no large publicity budget to encourage people to recycle however adverts had been placed in Brent Magazine and there had been leaflet drops. The Government had issued a Waste Strategy 2000 which meant that recycling figures would have to double in Brent to reach targets set. Councillor Rands suggested that houses which do not use green boxes could be targeted and indicated that incentives could be used to encourage people to recycle. As October is the National Waste Month it was suggested that schools could be visited to encourage recycling.

In response to concerns expressed from Councillors Rands and H Patel, Mr Saunders stated that in future performance reporting reports would be sent in the post to Members. The Committee were informed that discarded car batteries were not recycled and had to be disposed of separately. Members heard that there was not a 24 hour service to report noise nuisance but there was a late night service on Friday and Saturday nights.

RESOLVED:-

that the contents of the performance monitoring report be noted.

15. Any Other Urgent Business

There was none at this meeting.

The meeting ended at 10.25 pm

J LONG

Convenor

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Environment Scrutiny Committee - 25 Jul 2000