Interview
10.00 am - Joint Head of Streetscene
Minutes:
The Joint Head of Streetscene attended the meeting to discuss grass verges and refuse vehicle access across the District in connection with the Committee’s Review of Residential Parking. Concerns over access for larger refuse vehicles, when cars parked on streets, had been raised for larger refuse vehicles. The Committee wished to understand the need for the use of larger vehicles.
The Committee heard that following a service review Streetscene had purchased 8 by 32 tonne 8x4) refuse vehicles, which had resulted in an extra 150 tonne pay load capacity per week to assist the increased service demand from housing growth. At the time the review was undertaken, the Council’s recycling rate was approximately 39%, with average black bin weights being 22kg, equivalent to 45 bins per tonne. However, the recycling rate was now currently 47% which had resulted in the average black bin weight being reduced to approximately 18kg equivalent to 55 bins per tonne. It was stated that this further assisted incorporating the District’s housing growth potential over the subsequent years.
Members heard that the refuse vehicles needed to be as efficient as possible, which was achieved through optimising performance through increased pay load and work load capacity, and being able to access areas within the District. The Officer stated that overall, the refuse vehicle workers managed to access all areas of the District fairly well.
The Committee enquired about busy periods during the day in which some areas of the District were hard to access. The Officer explained that collection routes were planned so that areas where there would be a high volume of traffic were instead visited at non peak times.
Members discussed the increased size of the refuse trucks and the housing growth within North East Derbyshire. It was stated that Streetscene would always try to maximise the efficiency of stock. However it would be necessary for a review to take place, especially if there was a need to increase collections in areas within the District where housing growth had increased significantly. The Committee heard that refuse teams were able to achieve effective hourly loading rates of 240 to 270 bins per hour, equivalent to four per minute. The Officer commented that over the past several years housing growth had been averaging around 200 per year, however, over the course of the past six months there had been an increase on that average of around 180 to 200 houses. Members were informed that if this level of increase continued, it would prompt a review of the need for additional vehicles and collection staff.
Members asked about the impact the additional pressure was having on staff, in particular on health and safety standards. The Officer commented that there was an alternate and direct loading pattern to ensure staff and public safety when working on the highway. It was also stated that there was monthly checks in line with risk assessments and method statements and that performance was monitored in order to maintain a cost effective and efficient service to residents.
The Officer stated that new government proposals on food waste recycling may require new sustainable funding for separate food waste collections. Members heard that these costs could be offset through a reduction in black bin collections which would hope to encourage greater food recycling.
The Joint Head of Streetscene undertook to provide the Overview and Scrutiny Manager with a list of access ‘hot spots’ within the District that were part of consultations with frontline staff when 8x4 (32 tonne) vehicles were first considered. The locations were put forward by staff when they experienced difficulties with smaller (26 tonne) 6x4 vehicles, further to which, 32 tonne vehicles were established so that they were able to access the areas. The Officer explained that if roads were blocked and refuse workers were unable to access a street, they would return later in the round. However, it was stated that in some circumstances a honeycomb mat could be placed over grass verges to enable access. It was estimated that four to five of these were done each year. Members noted that it was usual practice for the County Council to enforce parking restrictions and distribute leaflets if repeated attempts to access a street was unsuccessful. The Committee heard that CCTV would be installed on all new vehicles for staff and customer safety.
The Officer informed the Committee that refuse vehicles usually had a seven year lifespan, however, due to them not operating on landfill sites and that they now delivered to a Waste Transfer Station, it was intended to extend their utilisation to eight years. The next substantive wave of replacements would fall due in 2022/23. However, Members noted that a report would be submitted to Cabinet in November for the replacement of two refuse vehicles and that 32 tonne (8x4) vehicles now had a rear steer option which provided a reduced turning circle to better aid access arrangements.
Members thanked the Officer for attending the meeting.
The Officer then left the meeting.