SCRUTINY INVESTIGATION INTO LITTER BINS
COUNCILLOR BOB KERR EXECUTIVE MEMBER FOR
ENVIRONMENT
DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENT: IAN PARKER
26 SEPTEMBER 2006
PURPOSE OF THE REPORT
1.
To set out details in response to the Action Plan, which forms part of the Final
Report of the Environment Scrutiny Panel into the Council’s Litterbin Policy.
BACKGROUND AND EXTERNAL CONSULTATION
2.
During the summer of 2006 the Environment Scrutiny Panel undertook a review of
the arrangements relating to the provision of Council funded litterbins.
3.
An action plan based on the Scrutiny Panel’s recommendation is attached. The
recommendations are as follows.
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)
That the current budget provision of £6,991 is inadequate to respond to the
demands for the provision of litterbins and that the annual budget be
increased to £60,000 per year until the service is at the required standard
and then set the budget at a minimum of £30,000 thereafter
The development of a sustainable Litterbins Policy
A solution to costly re-instatement works is established
A GIS based solution to managing the litterbin assets is introduced
The use of post mounted plastic bins is brought to an end
The current sponsored litterbin agreement is terminated, and alternative
advertising revenue based on litterbins is investigated.
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SERVICE RESPONSE/OPTION APPRAISAL/RISK ASSESSMENT
4.
Recommendation (a) would require commitment to additional budget provision. It
is suggested that if this additional finance is to be forthcoming it could be made
available from financial year 07/08. That to address previous levels of funding the
suggested £60,000 per year is made available for two years (07/08 and 08/09).
That the budget from 09/10 would be set at £30,000. This would permit a
comprehensive review of litterbin provision and the establishment of a stock of
litterbins to respond to demand.
5.
Recommendation (b) can be implemented in conjunction with the increased
budget provision in Recommendation (a). The availability of an established stock
of bins will permit target times for replacement bins, and response to requests for
new bins.
6.
Recommendation (c). The provisions in this recommendation have been overtaken
by revision of the installation of new bins. This utilises bolts to secure the bin such
that if the bin is removed there are no trip hazards present should there be a delay
in fitting a replacement bin. Further a stock of bins should ensure that in the
majority of instances any bin removed could have its replacement fitted at the
same time.
7.
Recommendation (d) has already been partly implemented. A survey of all bins
currently located has been completed based on the Council’s GIS system. A
process to allow for a monthly review of new installations is being developed with
the GIS team.
8.
Recommendation (e) has already been put into operation. Plastic post-mounted
bins were found to be inadequate to handle the larger items of litter such as pizza
boxes. In addition there were concerns about their flammability and consequent
damage to lampposts to which most are affixed. Consequently no further plastic
post-mounted bins have been procured.
9.
Recommendation (f) Notice of termination of this contract has already been given
to the company concerned. There is a six month notice of termination included in
the contract and this will mean that with a period to allow a staged removal of bins
from the locations across the town will not see all of these post mounted litterbins
removed until March 2007. The market for advertising on the Councils litterbins is
judged to be limited, particularly in context of the initiatives the Council already has
in place to permit advertising on bus shelters lampposts and roundabouts. Most
advertisers seek locations where potential customers are in greatest numbers, and
this is most often at junctions along major roads, these locations are not
necessarily where the greatest amount of littering occurs. For this reason the
opportunity to fund litterbins through advertising is not seen as practicable
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FINANCIAL, LEGAL AND WARD IMPLICATIONS
10.
Financial – The additional budget provision would be subject to approval of the
revised budget amounts as set out in the |Scrutiny Action Plan and the Service
response.
11.
Ward Implications- The provision of litterbins covers all wards.
12.
Legal Implications- There are none identified, other than completion of any legal
processes associated with the termination of the Contract for the current
sponsored litterbin operation.
RECOMMENDATIONS
13.
To accept the actions detailed in the response to OSB recommendations on the
Investigation into Litterbins Policy
REASONS
14.
The Executive need to take a decision on the Scrutiny Panel’s recommendations
in light of the Service responses and consideration given by the Corporate
Management Team.
BACKGROUND PAPERS
The following background papers were used in the preparation of this report:
Final Report Investigation into Litterbins Policy of Overview and Scrutiny Board.
AUTHOR: Kenneth Sherwood
TEL NO: 251888
______________________________________________________
Address: ken_sherwood@middlesbrough.gov.uk
Website: http://www.middlesbrough.gov.uk