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
C
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