The Highland Council
Agenda
16
Item
Transport, Environmental and Community Services Committee Report
TEC
26 May 2011
No
42/11
Review of Street Cleaning
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 agree the scope of the review.
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
agree the scope of the review.
1.2
It is proposed that the review will examine two mains areas:
1. “Zoning”
2. Operational Practices
1.3
A Project Team, with representatives from the 3 Operational Areas has been set
up to carry out the review. The Project Team reports to a Project Board chaired
by the Director.
1.4
Operatives will also be consulted and will have the opportunity to put forward
proposals to help achieve a more efficient service.
1.5
The Trade Unions have been consulted on these proposals and will continue to
be consulted.
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
It is proposed to take a report to the TECS Committee in August 2011 seeking
Members approval for any changes to the current allocation of Zones following
the detailed review.
3.
Review of Operational Practices
3.1
In parallel with the review of the Zoning the Project Team will carry 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.
Proposed changes to Management Structure
4.1
Members will be aware of the proposals for management restructuring from an
earlier report on the agenda.
4.2
The review of Street Cleaning will take account of the proposal to transfer the
street cleaning function from the Head of Roads and Community Works to the
Head of Waste Management (should Members approve the earlier
recommendation), and will consider the arrangements for operational
management and supervisory staffing structures.
4.3
It will be important to retain flexibility across the Service to allow resources to be
used in the most effective way. For example street cleaning staff are currently
involved in winter maintenance, and that will need to continue.
5. Implications
5.1
These proposals are intended to achieve savings.
5.2
There are no legal implications arising as a direct result of this report.
5.3
There are no equality implications arising as a direct result of this report.
5.4
There are no climate change implications arising as a direct result of this report.
5.5
There are no risk implications arising as a direct result of this report.
6. Recommendations
6.1
Members are invited to agree the scope of the review for Street Cleaning.
6.2
Members are invited to note that further reports will be taken to the TECS
Committee in relation to “Zoning” and operational practices.
Signature:
Designation:
Director of Transport, Environmental & Community Services
Date:
16 May 2011
Report Author:
Debbie Maguire