Agenda and minutes

No apologies had been received.

No interests were declared.

Purpose

To set out how Portsmouth City Council (the Council) will fulfil statutory duties imposed upon it relating to animal welfare licensing for 2018 / 2019 by providing:

·         a summary of the new statutory duties placed upon the Council and animal related business operators (ARBO) within Portsmouth;

·         the scope of the animal welfare service (AWS) and the demands made on it;

·         a profile of animal related businesses in Portsmouth;

·         the business priorities of the Council and AWS relating to animal welfare and licencing;

·         a summary of the service delivery in terms of animal related business premises inspections;

·         a review of key AWS activities identified for 2017 / 2018;

·         how ARBO are likely to be regulated in the future

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RECOMMENDED that the Cabinet Member for Environment and Community Safety:

a)         acknowledges the increased animal welfare licencing related demands placed on available resources as set out in Section 7 and 8 of this report, and the impact of forthcoming changes to governmental regulatory requirements as set out within Section 7; and;

b)        approves the continuation of a demand based approach to the statutory regulatory inspection of licenced animal related businesses and an approach in line with the Council’s Enforcement policy in response to breaches of animal welfare related legislation as set out in Appendix 1;

c)         approves the continuation of the fees and charges currently levied as set out in section 7, Table 1

Richard Lee, Regulatory Services Manager introduced the report and in response to questions explained that approximately 12 pet day-boarders had contacted his team to express concern about the possible impact of the legislation changes.  He has requested guidance from DEFRA and will advise these businesses as soon it is has been received.

Councillor Ashmore was pleased to note that animal welfare had been put first.

DECISIONS

Councillor Ashmore:

1)    Acknowledged the increased animal welfare licencing related demands placed on available resources as set out in Section 7 and 8 of this report, and the impact of forthcoming changes to governmental regulatory requirements as set out within Section 7;

2)    Approved the continuation of a demand based approach to the statutory regulatory inspection of licenced animal related businesses and an approach in line with the Council’s Enforcement policy in response to breaches of animal welfare related legislation as set out in Appendix 1;

3)    Approved the continuation of the fees and charges currently levied as set out in section 7, Table 1.

Report to follow.

David Evans, Leisure & Sports Facilities Manager introduced the report.

There were no questions.

Councillor Ashmore was pleased to note that a good level of consultation had been carried out.

DECISION

The Cabinet Member for Environment & Community Safety agreed:

1)    The two proposed variations to the existing PSPO in the following terms:

·         To exclude dogs on the beach between the Royal Marine statue known as the 'Yomper' and Southsea Castle, between 30th April - 30th September (previously 31st March)

·         To exclude dogs on the beach at Hot Walls 30th April - 30th September (previously 31st March).

2)    That the PSPO be varied and approved in the terms shown attached (appendix 1) to continue to assist with the enforcement of dog fouling offences and dog controls.

3)    That the PSPO be enforced by the Safe, Clean and Tidy team within the Housing, Neighbourhood and Building Services in the same way as for the previous Order. This directorate will be responsible for the administration of all fines and any subsequent prosecutions.

4)    That costs for any changes to signage notifications and other statutory notices be from within cash limits.

Purpose

To agree to incorporate the glass processing into the waste disposal contract - joint contract with Hampshire County Council (HCC) and Southampton City Council(SCC).

RECOMMENDATIONS

That the Cabinet Member approves that PCC agrees with partners to incorporate glass processing into the waste disposal service contract with Veolia Environmental Services.

Colette Hill, Assistant Director of Neighbourhoods, Property and Housing introduced the report.  In response to a question she explained that this is a change to the behind scenes processes and that the location of the banks was constantly reviewed.

DECISION

The Cabinet Member for Environment & Community Safety approved that PCC agrees with partners to incorporate glass processing into the waste disposal service contract with Veolia Environmental Services.

Ratification & update of waste management policy & rollout of wheeled bins for refuse to retain the weekly refuse collection was omitted from the Forward Plan covering 9 October 2018 to 1 January 2019.  The Chair of the City Council's Scrutiny Management Panel has been notified and a public notice published.

RECOMMENDED that

1.    The omission to the Forward Plan for November 2018 be noted and

2.    That publication of the omission notice be noted.

DECISION

The Cabinet Member for Environment & Community Safety noted the forward plan omission.

Purpose

To update the cabinet member on the outcomes of the previously approved weekly wheeled bins and weekly bin bag trials to include feedback from all trials;

To ratify the strategy for retaining weekly refuse collection whilst increasing recycling rates; and;

To update members on the progress of the changes being implemented to retain weekly refuse collections.

RECCOMENDATIONS

That the Cabinet Member:

1)            Notes the outcomes of the weekly wheeled bins and weekly bin bag trials and approves the strategy for retaining weekly refuse collections whilst increasing recycling rates; and;

2)            Notes the progress of the rollout and approves changes to the waste management policy.

Colette Hill, Assistant Director for Assistant Director of Neighbourhoods, Property and Housing introduced the report.

In response to questions, she clarified the following points:

·         As stated in section 2.6 of the policy, exceptions may be permitted during the Christmas period. The trials included two Christmas periods; there was no collection in the first year and during the second, an extra two bags were permitted upon request.  It is important that residents continue to recycle as much as possible throughout the year.  The collection dates for the Christmas period will be widely publicised.

·         Extra recycling material can be put next to the green bin if it is full.

·         Residents are asked to break down cardboard packaging to fit in the bin.

·         There is not a massive recycling market for plastics. 

·         Small electrical items can be put on top of the green bin in a carrier/ paper bag.

·         Work is being carried out to extend the range of items that can be recycled.

·         There is no limit on the number of bags that can fit into the new waste bins, provided that the lid closes.

Councillor Ashmore was pleased to note that a thorough Equalities Impact Assessment had been carried out and that there is an assisted delivery available for residents who might struggle to move their bins due to having a disability.

DECISIONS

The Cabinet Member for Environment & Community Safety noted:

1)    The outcomes of the weekly wheeled bins and weekly bin bag trials and approves the strategy for retaining weekly refuse collections whilst increasing recycling rates

2)    The progress of the rollout and approves changes to the waste management policy