Agenda item

a)         Public Questions (30 minutes)

To receive questions from the public gallery and questions

submitted by residents in advance of the meeting.

 

b)         Leader and Cabinet Questions (105 minutes)

To receive questions from Councillors.

The Mayor began the item with questions from the public.

 

Reflecting the number of public questions received on the issue of bin collections and waste services, Madam Mayor, Councillor Bernadette Khan, announced that to maximise the efficient use of the time available, these had been grouped together and would be put directly to Councillor Collins, Cabinet Member for Clean, Green Croydon.

 

Madam Mayor put the first question on behalf of residents to Councillor Collins, raising concerns about the costs of purchasing the new bins with further detail sought.

 

Councillor Collins responded that the primary objective of becoming a partner in the South London Waste Partnership (SLWP) was to make efficiency gains. Whilst the cost of purchasing the bins totalled £2.3m, Croydon would receive an annual overall cost saving of £5m compared to the previous level of cost with a £2.7m saving in first year. Additionally, there would be further efficiency gains from items such as reducing landfill costs. The objective of the new service was for a £60m saving to be achieved during the eight years of the SLWP contract. However, most importantly this contract was about saving the planet. This was about Croydon playing its part through increased recycling and decreased residual waste.

 

Madam Mayor put a second question to Councillor Collins on behalf of residents, asking about missed bin collections and the difficulties experienced in reporting them.

 

Councillor Collins responded that the SLWP contract was a massive undertaking involving 245,000 bins and 130,000 households, making this one of the largest undertakings in Europe. Likely difficulties in implementing the contract were described from the outset. A period of 12 weeks had been allowed for the new arrangements to bed in. The difficulties experienced had been fewer than were thought likely with less than 1% of bin collections missed from the outset of the new service. Additionally, staff had shown diligence in dealing with 6,000 enquiries received about the new service. The reasons for missed bin collections were being explored with the contractor.

 

On behalf of residents, Madam Mayor asked Councillor Collins about concerns raised regarding the suitability of the larger bins and how requests that had been received for different sized bins were being considered.

 

Councillor Collins responded that one of the difficulties of implementing such a large service change was allowing for differentiation. Added to which there was always going to be an on-going turnover in residents as well as needing to future proof the system to be able to accommodate changes to needs and habits over time. For example, that there had been a rise in packaging waste as there had been an increase in online shopping. However, when implementing such a large service change, it was clear that it was important to start with a uniform system.

 

A key aspect of the new service was containerisation. This was to stop spillage and animals getting into waste containers. Both had caused a lot of on-street waste contamination. This would also allow for a greater volume of recycling and an increased income stream. Whilst it wasn’t possible to give individuals their own bespoke service, the Council would continue to review and consider the waste service provided. However, residents did need to try the new system first. Part of the remit of the contractor was to look at why some residents aren’t recycling. Council staff would work with residents to encourage recycling. Councillor Collins concluded by noting that hundreds of emails had been received from residents saying that they liked the new system.

 

Madam Mayor further asked Councillor Collins, on behalf of residents, why some new bins had not arrived and when they would be delivered.

 

Councillor Collins responded that over 245,000 new bins had been delivered. The company undertaking this task had made some errors including delivering to some households where wheeled bins were not suitable. The company was going back to the 400 households that haven’t received their bins. There would be a check to see whether errors in bin delivery had resulted from communication errors. Bins were to be delivered to all suitable properties.

 

Following the completion of the grouped questions, public questions were opened to those in the gallery.

 

Question: Mr Sas Conradie sought clarification on why the Council was providing £10K of funding for an unsuitable art show.

 

Response(Councillor Lewis): The arts festival was called Tempting Failure and featured over 70 performances. Some may not have been regarded as tasteful. Some explored issues around mental health. One artist’s exploration was of bulimia and anorexia. It was unfortunate this had been misrepresented. There was pride in the Council’s support for a broad range of art.

 

Question: Mr Robert Smith stated he was in attendance because he had failed to get a response to his emails and calls to the Council. He highlighted that he had failed to gain access to the survey that has determined his property was suitable to accommodate three wheeled bins.

 

Response (Councillor Collins): The SLWP contractor (Veolia) had carried out the survey to determine the suitability of properties for wheeled bins. Residents were able to contact waste services by telephone and/or email to request the outcome of this survey be reviewed. If this request was not successful, the Cabinet Member would meet personally with Mr Smith to look at the suitability of his property. The decision on suitability would be based on the property having a wheeled bin previously and having sufficient space for storage and access.

 

Question: Mr Paul Wills asked if residents were legally obliged to use the wheeled bins provided by the Council for refuse collections.

 

Response (Councillor Collins): Provision was made by the Environmental Act Section 46 requiring residents to participate in the waste service provided.

 

Question: Ms Shaheen Hasen sought to understand who had given permission to lorries using Frith Road and expressed concern that they were having an effect on homes and their foundations.

 

Response(Councillor King): Lidl and Poundstretcher had been operating over an extended time meaning there were no restrictions to how they serviced their stores. This was exacerbated by access to the stores not being part of the public highway. Therefore this was a civil matter between residents and stores. However, misuse of the one way system remained an offence and was enforceable through the police. Officers would be asked to speak to the stores involved and the police on this matter.

 

Question: Mr Terry Fletcher asked why such large bins were being provided for paper and card recycling and noted that his neighbours could only manage to fill these to a quarter of their capacity between collections.

 

Response (Councillor Collins): Recycling levels varied across the borough and there was a need to future proof the new waste system.  It was anticipated that there would be a significant growth in cardboard recycling as online shopping increased. Wheeled bins did not have to be full to be put out for collection.

 

Question: Mr Donald Ekehomen sought to clarify if the sprinkler system now visible on the walls of a number of high rise buildings in the borough met with health and safety needs.

 

Response (Councillor Butler): The Council was going through the process of installation of sprinklers. This had started in 30 out of 40 high rise properties in the borough.  The installation was in its first phase with the second on its way. Sprinkler heads would be boxed in when tested and commissioned. This also applied to valves in communal areas when checked.

 

Question: Mr Guy Salt asked for clarification regarding the survey of his property which had deemed it suitable for wheeled bins despite stepped access to the front and rear.

 

Response (Councillor Collins): Steps meant many properties would not be suitable for wheeled bins. A check would need to be made of the whole of the street and the resident was asked to provide his details so that the checks could be organised.

 

Question: Ms Maura Keane asked a question on the recording of missed bin collections. However, the time allowed for public questions had expired. Councillor Collins asked Ms Keane to write to him personally allowing him the opportunity to respond.

 

LEADER AND CABINET MEMBER QUESTIONS

 

The Mayor then moved to Councillor Questions to the Leader.

 

Announcements

The Leader, Councillor Newman, took the opportunity of the time allowed for his announcements to provide Councillor Patsy Cummings, in her capacity as BAME (Black, Asian and minority ethnic) Champion, with the opportunity to update Council on Black History Month.  It was highlighted that Croydon would be hosting a wealth of events from 2 October 2018.   Those who enriched our culture and heritage would be celebrated. Croydon was at the forefront of diversity and the wider community would be championed. Councillor Patsy Cummings promised that as the Council’s BAME Champion, she would be ambitious for the diverse many and all of the borough’s amazing residents.

 

Questions

In response to a question from Councillor Tim Pollard (Does Councillor Newman welcome the announcement of the Housing Revenue Account borrowing cap being lifted?), the Leader confirmed that the lifting of the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) borrowing cap was welcome in the light of housing crisis and growing pressures on the borough’s housing stock. He highlighted the need to deliver sustainable growth in council housing but that this was made difficult by Right to Buy. In response to the Councillor’s supplementary question (How many council homes is it intended to build during the next 3.5 years?), the Leader further stated that it was intended to build 1,000 affordable homes during the remainder of the administration through the Brick by Brick initiative and noted how the Council would be working with the Mayor of London to provide thousands of new homes.  Councillor Newman called for a more supportive view to be taken in Planning Committee to deliver new homes across Croydon.

 

In response to a question from Councillor Fraser (What has been the outcome of the letter written to the Home Office regarding the unmet costs of Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children?), the Leader confirmed that as agreed at last Full Council, a letter with cross party support had been written to the Home Office regarding the underfunding of Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children (UASC). However, this had received no response, not even an acknowledgement of receipt. The Leader called on the Home Secretary to respond. In response to Councillor Fraser’s supplementary question (Is the delay in receiving a response related to Brexit?), on the reasons why no response had yet been received, the Leader agreed that Brexit was causing uncertainty and disruption. A paper on Brexit and its likely impact would be considered by Cabinet and the Council continued to work closely with the borough’s business community.

 

In response to a question and supplementary from Councillor Bennett (Why has the lease of the Addiscombe Boys Club not been renewed and why has there not been any consultation on this decision?), Councillor Hall, the Cabinet Member for Finance & Resources, highlighted that the Council was working with all parties with regard to an alternative location for Addiscombe Boys Club. Those discussions were ongoing. Councillor Hall offered to meet separately with Councillor Bennett to go through the details.

 

In response to a question from Councillor Young (Should the Prime Minister’s apology to the Windrush generation be repeated by the local Conservative Party?), the Leader highlighted that immediate action had been taken after the local elections in May 2018 to address the way in which members of the Windrush community living in the borough had been treated. This included convening a meeting of those affected to allow them to talk about the impact. The Leader called on members of the Croydon Conservative Party to apologise.

 

QUESTIONS TO COUNCILLORS LEWIS, FLEMMING AND AVIS

 

Announcements

 

Councillor Flemming, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Learning congratulated Croydon’s young people on their GCSE results. Early indications had shown improvement in Maths and English but the data needed to be validated. Councillor Flemming highlighted that she was looking forward to Croydon’s second Youth Congress which would now include primary school aged children. All Members had been invited to attend.

 

Councillor Avis, the Cabinet Member for Families, Health & Social Care, highlighted that the Council was working towards Dementia Friendly status. Specific mention was made of Rachel Carse, Dementia Action Alliance and Social Inclusion Co-ordinator, for her hard work in pushing this forward. It was also highlighted that the Life Community Reablement Programme had received a ‘good’ judgement in its first Care Quality Commission inspection. Mental Health Day was on the 10 October 2018. The film events organised by Councillor Janet Campbell, Mental Health Champion, were promoted and attendance encouraged.

 

Questions

 

In response to a question from Councillor Helen Pollard (Why is the Fairfiled development being delayed and the link to the Arnhem community being lost?), Councillor Lewis, Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Sport, highlighted the £30m investment being made in Fairfield Halls recognising that it was the jewel in the borough’s cultural crown which would provide five venues from spring next year. The entrance to this exciting venue would be called the Arnhem Foyer.

 

In response to a question from Councillor Degrads (Will there be a review to ensure the best location is selected for the Crystal Palace Festival and will this take into consideration the views of the local community?), Councillor Lewis, noted the Crystal Palace Festival was held on the Bromley border but research had found that more attendees came from Croydon. As a result, the festival was offered support to ensure it went from strength to strength. So far, the deficit from last year had been addressed with an ongoing focus on securing additional funding and business planning. In response to the Councillor’s supplementary question (Would Westow Park be a suitable location for the festival?), Councillor Lewis agreed Westow Park would be a sensible alternative location for the festival.

 

In response to a question from Councillor Gatland (What progress has been made to improve the quality of Croydon’s corporate parenting?), Councillor Flemming highlighted that work had been commission to look specifically at the GCSE results of looked after children and to ensure that Personal Education Plans were providing support throughout the school life of those within Croydon’s care. There was also a focus on other aspects such as health assessments and such items were discussed at the Corporate Parenting Panel.

 

The outcome of Ofsted’s Monitoring visit that took place during the preceding week was embargoed. Councillor Flemming noted that progress had been made but there remained no complacency about what else needed to be done. The focus was on quality assurance and increasing permanency for young people. Councillor Flemming noted the commitment across the chamber to corporate parenting as was demonstrated through the work of the Children & Young People Scrutiny Sub-Committee.

 

In response to the Councillor’s supplementary question (What is being done to address social worker vacancies and what evidence is there of the Councillor’s leadership driving an improvement in corporate parenting?), Councillor Flemming highlighted that the vacancy rate for social workers was historic, extended beyond Croydon and applied equally to adult social care. The Council was developing a package of support to encourage social workers to come to Croydon. Additionally, the improvement journey was continuing with leadership being provided from the outset. All Croydon’s children mattered and they would be given all the support they deserved and needed.

 

In response to a question from Councillor Canning (Are you aware of the Open House initiative that occurred on 22 and 23 September and its success?), Councillor Lewis noted the importance of the Open House initiative and that it was right to give public access to buildings of architectural merit. This year’s event was successful with the four tours of Fairfield Halls oversubscribed many times, demonstrating the interest in the venue reopening next year. In response to the Councillor’s supplementary question (Has the Cabinet Member visited Croydon Airport?), Councillor Lewis welcomed the encouragement to visit the historic Grade 2 listed Croydon Airport which was open on the first Sunday of every month.

 

In response to a question and a supplementary question from Councillor Redfern (How many children in need or with child protection plans in place are stuck without adequate action being taken?), Councillor Flemming clarified that at the time of Ofsted’s monitoring visit in the preceding week, there were no children in Croydon’s care that were judged at immediate risk of harm.  Work was ongoing to reduce any risk of harm to Croydon’s children. This included improving permanency by extending access to foster placements beyond the age of 18 (where this suited the child and the carer). The Best Start Family Service was also working on its early help strategy.  However, it was also important that this was a shared commitment and that children’s services were working in partnership with others such as the Police and health services to ensure children’s safety.

 

In response to a question from Councillor Pelling (What is being done to encourage the widest participation in the Parklife consultation and what action is being planned to mitigate the effect of the development on local residents?), Councillor Lewis noted that consultation on the Parklife proposals for Purley Way Playing Fields were continuing and developments were being planned to minimise impact on residents.  This included facilities being sited at least 100m from properties, car parking was to be moved away from housing, and landscaping was being used to improve the safety of the children’s play area.  The outside gym was also being moved to lessen impact on neighbours. CCTV would be used to help resolve antisocial behaviour issues.  Officers were working hard to integrate resident and Member feedback into the scheme.  In response to the Councillor’s supplementary question (How will the location of playing pitches preserve the iconic view?) Councillor Lewis highlighted that there was a long way to go in the planning process for the development and therefore there was still opportunity for resident and Member views to be considered.

 

In response to a question from Councillor Ward (With regard to the corporate parenting role played by all Councillors, could clarity be provided on the delegation of duties and responsibilities?), Councillor Flemming congratulated the Councillor on his work as Chair of the Children and Young People Scrutiny Sub-Committee and his commitment to Croydon’s children and his passion for ensuring they received the best services.  Councillor Flemming highlighted her commitment to the Corporate Parenting Panel left nothing out of scope in terms of the local offer for looked after children and care leavers. She reiterated that the invite remained open to all looked after children to participate in the work of the Panel.

 

In response to a supplementary question from the Councillor (Can clarity for Councillors regarding their corporate parenting role be stated in the constitution?), Councillor Flemming further stated that the initial pack provided to all Members once elected made their roles and responsibilities clear including as corporate parents. However, there was a need to be careful. Whilst not against putting responsibilities into writing the Councillor noted that she didn’t want to stipulate and make it that Councillors think there are things that they should not do. Clearly, it was the role of all Councillors to act towards those in Croydon’s care as they would towards their own children.  The Councillor again highlighted that this wasn’t just the responsibility of the local authority and/or those within the children’s service team. Needed to ensure good working across the council and with external partners to get the best outcomes for those in the Council’s care.

 

 

QUESTIONS TO COUNCILLORS BUTLER, ALI AND SHAHUL-HAMEED

 

Announcements

 

Councillor Butler, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Homes & Gateway Services, announced that following the good example of Elim Housing Association, the Council would be ending fixed term tenancies for its properties. This would ensure residents felt part of the community and had a future as part of Croydon.

 

Councillor Shahul-Hameed, Cabinet Member for Economy & Jobs, highlighted her recent attendance at the Croydon Business Excellence Awards 2018. These saw Bluebird Care awarded the Croydon Business of the Year award. Croydon Council introduced two new categories this year.  The winner of the Love Your Local Trade category was Nix Hair and Beauty. The Inspirational Young Person of the Year was Laurence Grant.  Special thanks were given to Councillor Letts, the Council’s Business Champion, for her support of the awards. An Economic Summit would take place at Boxpark on 22 November 2018 and all Members were encouraged to attend.

 

CouncillorHamida Ali, Cabinet Member for Safer Croydon and Communities, noted that Cabinet in October would formally adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of anti-Semitism. This had been employed across the Council since December 2016, however, to give this official recognition, it would be formally adopted by Cabinet.

 

Questions

 

In response to a question from Councillor O’Connell (Has public protection been subsumed into the larger streets team?), Councillor Hamida Ali welcomed the opportunity to bring clarity to the community safety review. There had been a restructure in the Place Department which was still ongoing in relation to community safety. This had seen a reorganisation of some frontline services, specifically in relation to enforcement. However, this review was ongoing in terms of how the organisation responded to community safety issues. The review had been commissioned to look at how the organisation responded more broadly and this would include how resources were organised for community safety. There was political and organisational commitment to address safety issues in the borough, as demonstrated  through the commitment to address youth violence, where Croydon’s work had been acknowledged as best practice.

 

In response to the Councillor’s supplementary question (Please can the Cabinet Member confirm her priorities.), Councillor Hamida Ali reiterated that community safety functions had not been subsumed under the streets team.

 

In response to a question from Councillor Canning (Is the Cabinet Member aware of the community safety issues being experienced in Wandle Park?), Councillor Hamida Ali highlighted that the Council and Police were aware of community safety issues in Wandle Park. A joint agency group was allowing partners to work together to address antisocial behaviour issues. There had been an increase in uniformed patrols, safer neighbourhood patrols and advice provided to the café owners. Physical improvements were being investigated and the Council was in the process of redeploying CCTV cameras. 

 

In response to the Councillor’s supplementary question (What has been the effect of recent boundary changes on Safer Neighbourhood teams?), Councillor Hamida Ali informed Members that as a result of the recent boundary changes, the Police were matching their Safer Neighbourhood teams with the new Ward boundaries.

 

In response to a question from Councillor Hale (Does the Cabinet Member agree that it will be much easier to build Council homes now the Housing Revenue Account borrowing cap has been lifted?), Councillor Butler confirmed that she also welcomed the lifting of the HRA borrowing cap and that she shared the Leader’s other concerns about Right to Buy and questioned how the Government expected Councils to raise money to buy new homes when under Right to Buy these would be sold at a discount in three years. In response to the Councillor’s supplementary question (The Council has missed its housing targets so far. Therefore, how ambitious will it be going forward?), Councillor Butler highlighted the administration’s ambitious housing targets and called on all to support new schemes through the Planning Committee.  The Cabinet Member highlighted that the Council was working with the Mayor of London and the Greater London Assembly to submit a bid to fund house building in the thousands. There was a commitment to building two thousand homes in the next administration but there was a desire to deliver beyond this.

 

In response to a question from Councillor Mann (What support is being given to local businesses in the face of adverse conditions?), Councillor Shahul-Hameed clarified that business partnerships were being set-up to provide support to the borough’s district centres.  In the case of Crystal Palace, where the district centre fell across five boroughs, support was being organised through the Chamber of Commerce. Additional support was being provided to local businesses through £150K of rate relief, the enterprise loan fund, business advice surgeries and other similar initiatives. In response to the Councillor’s supplementary question (Is the Chamber of Commerce back in operation?), Councillor Shahul-Hameed highlighted it was the role of the new Regeneration Manager to communicate with other boroughs and to coordinate support for businesses including in areas such as Crystal Palace.

 

In response to a question from Councillor Perry (In light of the lifting of the Housing Revenue Account borrowing cap, will Brick by Brick continue to ride roughshod over the views of residents?), Councillor Butler highlighted that the Council was working through Brick by Brick to deliver homes in the borough. It was intended to use this as a way to offer shared ownership homes and to listen to those in temporary accommodation and on the housing waiting list. In response to Councillor Perry’s supplementary question on community concerns about Brick by Brick, Councillor Butler stressed no housing scheme had been forced through. Every scheme had been developed in discussion with local residents with the vast majority not appearing at Planning Committee because there were no significant objections. All schemes had been altered in response to residents’ feedback.

 

In response to a question from Councillor Audsley (What is being done to address youth violence?), Councillor Hamida Ali stated that a Public Health response to youth violence must be evidence lead, and long term in outlook. The community safety review would examine the gap between the current approach and a Public Health approach. Whilst the Home Secretary was promoting this approach to tackling youth violence, it was undermined by cuts to services such as Public Health and the Police and the funding deficit could not be offset by short term or one off pots of funding.

 

In response to the Councillor’s supplementary question (What is being done to understand more about the Public Health response to youth violence?), Councillor Hamida Ali agreed there was a need to look at other contributory factors to youth violence and highlighted the forthcoming youth summit would provide a further opportunity  for consultation and engagement on the issue. Councillor Hamida Ali also noted the need to look at factors such as school exclusions and whether or not these were a contributory factor in youth violence.

 

QUESTIONS TO COUNCILLORS COLLINS, KING AND HALL

 

Announcements

 

Councillor Collins, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Clean, Green Croydon, gave his thanks to residents for their patience and understanding during the introduction of the new waste service. He highlighted that this new service had already resulted in a 9% increase in recycling in Croydon bringing this up to 45% overall.

 

Councillor King, Acting Cabinet Member for Environment, Transport and Regeneration, informed Members of a possible delay in the Blackhorse Lane project to replace two bridges. The statement of works by the contractor, Morgan Sindall, stated that the work would be completed in early 2020. However, the delay was not acceptable. A letter of objection had been written to Transport for London (TfL). This sought to understand what changes had caused the delay and what could be done to reduce it. The Council was seeking clarity on what steps would be taken including sanctions.

 

Councillor Hall, Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources, noted that the Government had allocated additional funding for adult social care with £1.4m forthcoming for this year in Croydon. However this was not sufficient to cover the Government’s reduction in local government funding.

 

Councillor Hall also announced that the Council had signed-up to the Employers with a Heart Charter which supported and gave extra leave to those with premature babies.

 

Questions

 

In response to a question from Councillor Mohan (Why were some new bins only delivered hours before the start of the new collections and how many collections have been missed?), Councillor Collins noted he was aware of the situation in Park Hill where bins had been delivered late. However, he also highlighted that only 0.68% had been missed of the three quarters of a million collections that have happened successfully since the launch of the new service. Some disruption had been anticipated at the start of the new waste service which was anticipated to last for the first 12 weeks of operation. Councillor Collins apologised to residents for missed collections and highlighted the hard work of officers in working to embed the new service.

 

In response to the Councillor’s supplementary question (What was the costs of supplying the new bins?), Councillor Collins informed Council that the total cost of the new bins was £2.3m in total including publicity activities. Overall, the new waste service would result in a benefit to the revenue budget of £2.7m in the current year.

 

In response to a question from Councillor Canning (Please can an update be provided on the introduction of the bulky waste collection.), Councillor Collins noted an increase in bulky waste collections from 1,300 in a month up to 2,100. This had resulted from making these collections free and the issue of how to speed up collections was to be explored with the contractor, Veolia.

 

In response to the Councillor’s supplementary question (What is being done to raise awareness that it is illegal to fly tip rubbish?), Councillor Collins highlighted fly tipping was unacceptable and that activity was happening to highlight this message through the Council’s media and communication channels. Another campaign would be run and the Council’s website would provide clarity on what could be collected.

 

In response to a question and a supplementary from Councillor Stranack (Is the Cabinet Member aware of the difficulties residents have faced in reporting issues regarding waste collections and will those that have experienced missed collections be compensated?), Councillor Collins noted additional resources had been made available to respond to calls and emails from residents regarding the new waste service. This included 6,000 phone calls and the ability of the Council to impose penalties on the contractor as a way of enforcing the contract was highlighted.

 

In response to a question from Councillor Fraser (What is the impact of the lack of published proposals/policy by the Government on the future of local government funding?), Councillor Hall agreed that currently there was no published Government proposal on the future of local government funding. This was affecting the Council’s ability to plan its Medium Term Financial Strategy.

 

In response to the Councillor’s supplementary question (Is the lack of information as a result of the Government’s focus on Brexit?), Councillor Hall highlighted that other Councils were also being affected by reductions in local government funding. These included Sussex and Northampton where bankruptcy was a possibility and only statutory services were being provided.

 

In response to a question from Councillor Creatura (Is the Cabinet Member aware that not all properties have a place to store wheeled bins and that this is causing residents to experience accessing in leaving their properties?), Councillor Collins highlighted that the new waste service depended on bins not being left on streets. It would take a few months to review where bins remained on streets and the Council would need to review if the contractor was not returning the bins or if residents genuinely didn’t have enough space to store them off the street.

 

In response to the Councillor’s supplementary question (Have residents been consulted on the provision of wheeled bins?), Councillor Collins agreed that the contractor was required to return bins to properties. Officers were picking this up in their discussions with the contractor.

 

In response from a question from Councillor Mann (Is it possible for residents to use recycling centres in neighbouring boroughs which may be located closer to their properties than those within the borough?), Councillor Collins said he would explore reconfiguration of landfill sites to allow use of those out of borough by Croydon residents. Currently, this wasn’t allowed on the basis that other Council’s would not pay for the landfill of non-residents. It was also noted that bulky waste collections had been introduction to assist residents that didn’t have cars. 

 

In response to a question from Councillor Brew (Is the Cabinet Member aware of difficulties faced by residents in Cliff End Purley in using wheeled bins with steps from properties to the pavement?), Councillor Collins agreed that carrying waste bins down 10 to 30 steps did not sound sensible. However, an assessment of the whole street would have to be made before this could be progressed further.

 

In response to a supplementary question, regarding missed garden waste collections since the start of the service, Councillor Collins noted that officers were meeting with Veolia and that tougher penalties for missed collections would be used.

 

In response to a question from Councillor Prince (Please can an update be provided on Transport for London’s plans for the Fiveways area following the completion of the last consultation.), Councillor King noted that more cycle provision in the borough was planned. It was anticipated that this would come forward for planning in 2019 with a proposed two year build.