Agenda item - City Environmental Management Modernisation Programme Update

22.6      The Mayor noted that the report had been referred for information and that Item 23(4), Notice of Motion concerning City Clean also related to the subject matter.  She was therefore inclined to take both items together in one debate.

22.7      Councillor Yates stated that given the number of questions, petitions and motions concerning City Clean, it was evident that the service was crucial to the city.  The report sought to provide an update on the projects being undertaken as part of the City Environmental Management (CEM) Modernisation Programme and he felt it would be helpful for all Members to be aware of the actions and outcome of debate at the recent Policy, Resources & Growth Committee meeting.

22.8      The Mayor then invited Councillor Wares to move the Notice of Motion.

22.9      Councillor Wares proposed the Notice of Motion as listed in the agenda on behalf of the Conservative Group and noted that the earlier petition showed the level of concern residents had with the regard to the situation in the city.  He stated that there was a consistent failure for collections to be completed and streets were becoming bin stores across the city.  He questioned whether the report actually dealt with the issue or offered any solutions to the problems faced by the Service and suggested it only added to the pressure on the staff concerned.  He was therefore calling for a report to address the situation and reassure staff that action would be taken to enable them to provide the level of service that was required.

22.10   Councillor Bell formally seconded the motion and reserved his right to speak.

22.11   Councillor Mitchell stated that she was happy to support the motion but noted that a vast majority of the actions requested had already been taken forward.  She also noted that previous proposals to provide additional resources for the Service had been out voted and that had resulted on the need to find ways to bring in income which could be used to support and maintain vital services.  She wished to pay tribute to the crews and staff who were delivering the services.

22.12   Councillor West stated that residents were suffering and there was a need to address the situation and to provide service that was expected by tax payers in the city.  He hoped that action would be taken to resolve the problems that currently existed.

22.13   Councillor Littman stated that it was clear across the city that residents were suffering and that there was no apparent solution being offered.  There had been mistakes made which had not been rectified and there was a clear need to take action to ensure that an effective Service could be provided for all residents.

22.14   Councillor Wealls invited Councillor Mitchell to join him and visit a number of households in his Ward where collections had been missed so that she could see the extent of the problem.

22.15   Councillor Druitt stated that he like all other councillors received a constant number of emails regarding the problems with City Clean and overflowing bins etc.  He hoped that action would be taken to resolve this as soon as possible.

22.16   Councillor G. Theobald stated that changes to the Service and the introduction of wheelie bins had not been planned properly and had led to the problems that were being encountered.  It was not the fault of the staff but that of the decision-makers and they needed to acknowledge that and take appropriate action to rectify the situation.

22.17   Councillor Mac Cafferty stated that he believed residents had had enough and that cuts to front-line services had been to severe and had left the operative in a difficult positon which was no fault of theirs.  He stated that action needed to be taken and hoped that the forthcoming report would address the concerns that had been raised.

22.18   Councillor Bell stated that the notice of motion resulted from the distress and frustration faced by residents in regard to a service that should be provided as a matter of course.  He stated that the workforce should be applauded and thanked for their efforts when they knew that they could not fulfil the requirements of the service.  There was a need to find a solution and to clear up the city so that visitors and residents alike could enjoy it.

22.19   The Mayor noted that the report had been referred for information and before calling on Councillor Wares to responds to the debate moved that it be noted.

22.20   RESOLVED: That the report be noted.

22.21   Councillor Wares thanked everyone for their comments and stated that there was a need to recognise how residents felt about the situation and to take action to resolve the situation.  He therefore hoped that the motion would be supported and a resolution found.

22.22   The Mayor then put the following motion to the vote:

This Council  resolves to request the Chief Executive and the Executive Director of Economy, Environment and Culture to:

a.      Produce a report for the Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committee that details precisely the sustainable solutions to enable refuse, recycling and green waste collections occurring on the published days.

b.      That the report include actual measures to deal with other issues that were sent to Policy, Resources and Growth Committee on 12^th July 2018 (agenda item 11) as well as detailing the constraints and restrictions that prevent modernisation;

c.      That the report further include financial and performance analysis of the commercial waste and garden waste services against their respective previously approved business plans and financial forecasts.

22.23   The Mayor confirmed that the motion had been carried unanimously.