Agenda item

This report provides information on the Public Realm Contract, its scope, proposed improvements; savings and how it will be managed.

Chris Whyte (Head of Recycling and Waste) introduced the report which informed Members on the Public Realm Contract in terms of scope, proposed improvements, savings and how it would be managed.  He explained the contract offered annual savings of £1.3m over a nine year period with the option to extend.  The contract will incorporate waste and recycling from 1 April 2014 and street cleansing from 1 September 2014 whilst introducing new services such as commercial waste collections.  The contract performance will be monitored by a newly created client team with 65 operational targets and four main contractual targets which would carry financial incentives and penalties.  It was explained that risk would be that of the contractor with changes already implemented such as bins being left at the end of driveways resulting in a reduction of vehicles and crews accumulating to a £300,000 saving.  It was clarified that if a resident failed to put there bin in the correct place then it would not be collected for a further two weeks whilst tags were currently being left on bins explaining why they were not collected to educate residents in the future.  A 98% compliance rate was currently being reported with complaints being dealt with on an individual basis where it may not be possible due to physical ability and the property access to place the bins close to the curb.  It was highlighted that Veolia had a £250,000 annual education/communications budget which would be able to address language barriers across the borough.  Additionally fleet crews would log information electronically which would be fed directly to the office, enabling residents queries to be dealt with effectively and to enable problem areas to be detected and education to occur.  During queries it was explained that the work currently undertaken in relation to hotspots was an extra resource in relation to the current process however once the new contract came into force on 1 April 2014, Veolia would be required to clear flytipping within 24 hours of being reported.  It was further clarified that smaller bins would be available upon request on return of a fully sized wheelie bin and future residents being offered the option of a smaller bin.  Members queried the state and maintenance of the rubbish removal trucks.  It was explained that the vehicles would be brand new and were designed to last the length of the contract with Veolia responsible for repairs and replacements to ensure all vehicles were up to standards whilst meeting the required green standards.  During discussion it was confirmed quarterly meetings with residents would continue, with community champions sought and working in partnership with Brent Housing Partnership to ensure a seamless service.  Members queried the target for generated commercial waste.  It was clarified that there was no target as such although Veolia would benefit greatly by increasing commercial waste as it would subsidise the contract.  In response to a request for a map of problem areas, it was explained that all areas will be required to meet a grade B standard at all times in the future with online monitoring enabling problem areas to be identified and rectified promptly.  The Head of Recycling and Waste informed members of incentive schemes for residents such as improvements to blocks of flats and local community spaces if improvements to recycling levels were made.  Members raised concerns regarding illegal disposal of commercial waste and difficulties customers may face when contacting the Council via phone.  It was explained that an app would be made available allowing residents to report rubbish issues easily with photos if required as well as crews also being able to report issues immediately.  Concern regarding flytipping from residents outside of the borough and how they would be educated and addressed was expressed.  Chris Whyte informed the Committee that prosecution was the most appropriate route to stop flytipping from out of the borough with CCTV a key role in successful prosecutions, with the Council receiving any revenue from prosecutions.  It was confirmed that complaints would be dealt with in line with the Council complaint’s policy with Veolia hoping to have even shorter response times.  A shared system would give the Council and Veolia access to complaints and information recorded by crews. 

RESOLVED:

Members noted the report