Report of the Executive Member for Neighbourhoods

This report provides an overview of work undertaken and progress towards the delivery of the Council’s priorities as set out in the Our Manchester Strategy for those areas within the portfolio of the Executive Member for Neighbourhoods.

The Committee considered the reports of the Executive Member for Neighbourhoods that provided an overview of work undertaken, and progress towards the delivery of the Council’s priorities as set out in the Our Manchester strategy for those areas within the respective Executive Member’s portfolio.

Some of the key points that arose from the Committee’s discussions were: -

·         What was being done to monitor the Biffa contract, noting that residual waste had not been collected after the Christmas period and consideration needed to be given to arranging additional collections over this period;

·         Flytippers needed to be pursued and prosecuted, with perpetrators named and shamed;

·         Welcoming the Executive Member responding to the recommendations made by the Committee in relation to waste storage and fire safety in apartment blocks;

·         Was there any evidence of additional costs as a result to recycling changes being passed onto residents in apartment blocks;

·         The ‘Recycle for GM’ did not always work correctly;

·         Was too much leniency given to business operating within the city centre, who’s activities contributed to rubbish by the enforcement teams; and

·         Consideration should be given to instructing Biffa to collect all waste on their next rounds.   

The Executive Member for Neighbourhoods thanked Members for their continued challenge, noting that the views and concerns of the Committee had been taken into consideration when introducing the changes to recycling collections in apartment blocks. He stated that he was unaware of any costs being transferred to residents as a result of these changes during phase one and two, however if Members were aware of any he encouraged the Members to inform him of these and this would be investigated.

The Executive Member for Neighbourhoods informed the Committee that his work complemented the wider Manchester Green and Blue Strategy, giving the example that options for the licensing of electric vehicles as taxis in the city were being considered to address the issue of emissions and improve air quality.

In response to the comments made regarding the Biffa contract and waste collection over the Christmas period, he stated that Biffa had invested in an additional 12 vehicles and the recent dispute with staff regarding night shift working had been resolved, however the pay dispute was a longstanding issue and negotiations were still ongoing.  In response to the issue raised regarding the app he said he would feed this back and he would also consider the options for additional collections over the Christmas period.

With regard to the issue of flytipping he said that Manchester had a strong record in pursuing and persecuting perpetrators and when prosecutions were successful these were publicised in the local press and via social media. He commented that the dedicated flytipping team was now established, and whilst improvements were being made the issue remained a challenge, however he was committed to addressing this issue that blighted neighbourhoods. 

In response to waste associated with businesses in the city centre he advised that teams would always try and work with premises in the first instance to improve and address any issues, however there were occasions where it was appropriate to expedite enforcement action.

Decision

To note the report.