Agenda and minutes

Councillor Rob new sent his apologies and Councillor Luke Stubbs attended in his stead.

No interests were declared.

Purpose.

To obtain agreement from the portfolio for a time-limited and area-limited trial for the provision of wheeled bins for refuse.  The report outlines the reasons for the proposal, the proposed length and area for the trial, what will be measured during the trial, the costs of the trial and how the information will be made available for subsequent decisions.

Recommendations.

1.    That a trial be undertaken as described, in the chosen area, for residents to be provided with wheeled bins for refuse.  The trial will last up to six months.

2.    That during the trial refuse will continue to be collected on a weekly basis only form the bins provided.

3.    That officers provide feedback to residents during the trial about the changes in recycling rates.

Paul Fielding, Operations Manager introduced the report and in response to questions, with Collette Hill, Assistant Director of Property and Housing he clarified the following points:

·         If residents find that they have more rubbish than will fit in the bin, they can discuss their needs with the council. 

·         Communication with residents and Ward Councillors started before the trial and will continue throughout.

·         During the trial, the waste operatives will not be able to collect mixed waste (i.e. bins and bags).

·         Fareham, Havant and Gosport provide a 240 litre bin which is collected once a fortnight.  Portsmouth will provide a 140 litre bin collected once a week.

·         Work has also been carried out with residents who live in flats to ensure that they can recycle as much as possible.

Councillor Luke Stubbs noted that this was a good initiative but in some older areas of the city it would be more difficult for residents to have another bin.

DECISIONS

Councillor Luke Stubbs decided that:

1.    A trial be undertaken as described, in the chosen area, for residents to be provided with wheeled bins for refuse.  The trial will last up to six months.

2.    During the trial refuse will continue to be collected on a weekly basis only from the bins provided.

3.    Officers provide feedback to residents during the trial about the changes in recycling rates.

Purpose.

To update the Cabinet Member for Environment & Community Safety on the:

·         Review and assessment of air quality in Portsmouth and the publication of the 2016 air quality progress report.

·         Changes implemented by the Department of Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) to the annual reporting of air quality and the Government's expectations of local authorities in relation to improving air quality.

·         Need to continue to explore options and strategies in order to improve air quality in Portsmouth.

·         Installation and requirement for new DEFRA co-ordinated air quality monitoring in Portsmouth.

Recommendations

That the Cabinet Member for Environment & Community Safety acknowledge the:

a.    Prescriptive statutory changes to the annual air quality reporting processes.

b.    Increased need to monitor and reduce the impact of particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter of 2.55µm or less (PM2.5)

c.    Conclusions of the 2016 air quality progress report and approves the publication of the 2016 report attached as Appendix 1;

d.    Importance of, and supports the installation of, a DEFRA-funded air quality monitoring station in Victoria Park;

e.    Relevance of clean air zones in Portsmouth.

Richard Lee, Environmental Health Manager introduced the report and in response to questions, clarified the following points:

·         There are no new areas of non-compliance.

·         The green station in Anglesea Road will be the size of a BT cabinet with the detector on top inside a metal cage to protect it from vandalism.  Defra will probably fund it for more than five years.  The results are likely to show the highest levels of air pollution in the city, but as people tend to walk past rather than wait there, exposure will be low.

Councillor Stubbs welcomed the report and said he was pleased that the number of areas that are compliant is increasing.  He felt that over time there will be fewer problems because of newer cars with cleaner technology and the increase in electric cars.

DECISIONS

Councillor Luke Stubbs acknowledged the:

1.    Prescriptive statutory changes to the annual air quality reporting processes.

2.    Increased need to monitor and reduce the impact of particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter of 2.55µm or less (PM2.5)

3.    Conclusions of the 2016 air quality progress report and approves the publication of the 2016 report attached as Appendix 1;

4.    Importance of, and supports the installation of, a DEFRA-funded air quality monitoring station in Victoria Park;

5.    Relevance of clean air zones in Portsmouth.

Purpose.

The purpose of this report is to:

·         Update the Cabinet Member for Environment and Community Safety on the current level of food business hygiene compliance in Portsmouth;

·         Set out the programme of inspection during 2016 / 2017;

·         Highlight service risks and non-compliances with the Food Law Code of Practice (FLCofP).

Recommendations

That the Cabinet Member for Environment and Community Safety:

a)    Approves the continuation of a risk-based approach to the statutory and regulatory inspection and enforcement of food business operators;

b)   Acknowledges the reasons for the increasing levels of enforcement and reduction in inspection rates, and the public health importance of this service;

c)    Approves the Food Operating Plan 2016 / 2017 as described in Appendix 1 of this report;

d)   Approves the revisit inspection regime as detailed within section 7.35 and section 7.36.

Richard Lee, Environmental Health Manager introduced the report and in response to questions explained that resources are deflected to other areas of work as the need arises.

Councillor Morgan welcomed the fact that businesses work together to support each other.

Councillor Stubbs was pleased to note that 88% of inspected premises get three or more stars.

DECISIONS

Councillor Luke Stubbs:

1.    Approved the continuation of a risk-based approach to the statutory and regulatory inspection and enforcement of food business operators;

2.    Acknowledged the reasons for the increasing levels of enforcement and reduction in inspection rates, and the public health importance of this service;

3.    Approved the Food Operating Plan 2016 / 2017 as described in Appendix 1 of this report;

4.    Approved the revisit inspection regime as detailed within section 7.35 and section 7.36.

DECISIONS:

1.         Approved the continuation of a risk-based approach to the statutory and regulatory inspection and enforcement of food business operators;

2.         Acknowledged the reasons for the increasing levels of enforcement and reduction in inspection rates, and the public health importance of this service;

3.         Approved the Food Operating Plan 2016 / 2017 as described in Appendix 1 of this report;

4.         Approved the revisit inspection regime as detailed within section 7.35 and section 7.36.