This is an HTML version of an attachment to the Freedom of Information request 'Zoning of land in terms of EPA90 / COPLAR'.

 
 
The Highland Council 
Agenda 
 
 
Item 
Transport, Environmental and Community Services Committee  Report 
 
17 November 2011 
No 
 
Review of Street Cleaning - Review of Zoning 
 
Report by Director of Transport, Environmental and Community Services 
 
Summary 
 
This report updates Members on progress in relation to the review of Street Cleaning 
and invites Members to approve the outcome of the review of the zoning for street 
cleaning. 
 
 
1. Introduction 
 
1.1  
Members will recall that the savings measures agreed by the Council as part of 
the Revenue Budget for 2011/12 & 2012/13 included a review of Street 
Cleaning. This report updates Members on progress and invites Members to 
approve the outcome of the review of zoning for street cleaning. 
 
1.2 
A Project Team, with representatives from the 3 operational areas has been set 
up to carry out the review of zoning. The Project Team reports to a Project 
Board chaired by the Director of TECS.  
 
2. 
Review of Zoning  
 
2.1 
The Environmental Protection Act 1990 requires that, for the purpose of street 
cleaning, areas are categorised into Zones. Each Zone has a defined 
cleanliness standard and a response time to return the area to that standard in 
the event that the standard is not met. 
 
2.2 
In order to ensure the Council is complying with the relevant legislation it is 
essential that the litter Zones are allocated correctly, and that the approach is 
consistent across the Council. 
 
2.3 
The table in Appendix A (taken form the Environmental Protection Act 1990) 
shows categories, Zones, the cleanliness standard required for each, and the 
response times to return areas to the appropriate standard. 
 
2.4 
For example if the cleanliness of an Area designated as a Zone 1 falls to 
Cleanliness Standard B, we have 6 hours to return the Area to Standard A. If the 
same area falls to Cleanliness Standard C, we have 3 hours to return the area to 
Standard A. 
 
2.5 
The Cleanliness Standards are defined in the Environmental Protection Act 1990 

as: 
 
 
Standard A 
No litter or refuse 
 
 
Standard B 
Predominantly free of litter and refuse, apart from a few small 
items 
 Standard 

Widespread 
distribution 
of litter and refuse with minor 
accumulations 
 
Standard D 
Heavily littered with significant accumulations 
 
2.6 
Members of the Project Team have attended Ward Business Meetings to 
discuss the review of zoning with Ward Members, and to consider the comments 
made by Members.  
 
2.7 
The outcome of the review has resulted in a detailed list of all “streets” in the 
Highland Council area showing the current “Zone” and the proposed “Zone”. In 
the majority of cases there is no change; however in some cases the Zones 
have been changed to comply with categorisation set out in the Environmental 
Protection Act 1990. 
 
2.8 
Given the size of the document it is not practical to append this information to 
this report and a copy of the outcome of the review will be available in the 
Members Lounge. Information can also be provided to Members on a Ward 
basis. 
 
3. 
Review of Operational Practices 
 

3.1 
In parallel with the review of the Zoning the Project Team is carrying out a 
review of the operational practices. This will be closely linked to the Zoning as 
the allocation of Zones will affect the frequency of treatment and the hours of 
operation.  
 
3.2  
The main areas identified for the review are listed below: 
 
•  Hours of working including options for flexible working patterns  
•  Potential for integration with other parts of the Service  
•  Overall staffing levels 
•  Options to increase utilisation of plant and equipment 
•  Overall requirement for plant and equipment 
 
3.3 
Some of the proposals may require changes to existing working patterns and 
there has been early consultation with the Trade Unions. We will continue to 
consult with the Trade Unions as the review develops. 
 
4. Implications 
 
4.1 
These proposals are intended to achieve savings. 
  
4.2 
There are no legal implications arising as a direct result of this report. 
 

4.3 
There are no equality implications arising as a direct result of this report. 
 
4.4 
There are no climate change implications arising as a direct result of this report. 
 
4.5 
There are no risk implications arising as a direct result of this report. 
 
 
5. Recommendations 
 
5.1 
Members are invited to approve the outcome of the review of zoning for street 
 
cleaning. 
 
5.2 
Members are invited to note that further reports will be taken to the Committee in 
relation to operational practices. 
  
 
 
Signature: 
 
 
Designation: 
Director of Transport, Environmental & Community Services 
 
Date: 
4 November 2011 
 
Report Author: 
Debbie Maguire, Community Works Manager, INBS