The Head of Neighbourhood Services presented a report providing information in regards to maintenance and cleansing including cleansing programmes and highway surface water drainage for the major towns within the borough.

The Head of Neighbourhood Services explained that since 2010, there had been an ongoing programme of financial savings to meet reductions in public funding and as a result there had been a reduction in staff and service levels to meet savings targets. He outlined the street cleansing tables and explained that they were often adapted to change the frequency of cleansing and litter picking to ensure a service was provided in all areas. He explained that the Cleaner Streets Team had recognised that in these austere times to be able to maintain a satisfactory service provision, closer working with Town Councils was required.

The Head of Neighbourhood Services outlined progress in a project relating to dog fouling, the introduction of TIKSPAC posts, 3^rd sector working and volunteering and other street cleansing team activities and drainage. He explained that there was little opportunity for his staff to undertake enforcement so outsourcing on a self- funding basis was being considered.

A Member raised a concern regarding dog fouling and sports pitches and playgrounds and asked if any progress had been made. The Head of Neighbourhood Services explained that Public Spaces Protection Orders and improved powers were being considered before consultation. In some places these areas were the only areas available for dog walking and it could be a challenge to implement any proposals. A member stated that bag dispensers next to the bins appeared to be a positive and effective way of dealing with the issue. 

The Head of Neighbourhood Services was asked if there had been any prosecutions for dog fouling in BCBC and he confirmed there had been no prosecutions within BCBC for dog fouling.

A Member welcomed the idea of enforcement and suggested working with other authorities to share best practice. Social media campaigns and apps where incidents could be reported could be the way forward. The Head of Neighbourhood Services confirmed that he was considering an app for environmental complaints such as street lights and pot holes.

A Member stressed the importance of co-ordinating the work of the 3^rd sector and volunteers with the work of BCBC and that equipment and information packs could be provided to help with the work. Concerns were raised that following the reduction in staff from 41 to 18, were there any guarantees that the schedules could be fulfilled. The Head of Neighbourhood Services agreed that there had been significant reductions in resources but every effort had been made to make the best use of what was available and the key areas were the last to be touched.

A Member referred to the decline in the appearance of the streets with overflowing bins and inadequate gully inspections and clearance. He outlined problems in his area and suggested that the issue should be dealt with more proactively.    

A Member referred to Keep Wales Tidy and how packs had been developed and how individuals were matched to different organisations. The Group Manager Street Works explained that a new system was being developed by Keep Wales Tidy, BAVO and BCBC.

A Member praised the front line staff working in all conditions to empty bins and commented that problems had been exacerbated by the bin emptying scheme, bags not being delivered and bins being filled with household rubbish.

The Leader agreed that front line staff were a credit to the authority. More cuts would have to be made in the future and the dilemma was a decline in cleanliness or reductions to services for Looked after Children or other vulnerable groups.

The Head of Neighbourhood Services acknowledged the hard work of the teams and how the high levels of productivity could be demonstrated. A Member praised the Cleaner Streets Operations Officer and his positive approach to developing solutions. The Member added that there was a community responsibility and the time taken to photograph incidents could be better used to pick up the litter and resolve the problem immediately. If there was scope, roving CCTV cameras could be used in problem areas within the Borough.

A Member raised the problem of litter falling from full refuse wagons when they were being driven up hill with the sides open. The Head of Neighbourhood Services suggested that if this was an issue, they should contact him with details and he would remind the contractor.

A Member asked if there had been a reduction in the size of the garden waste sacks. The Head of Neighbourhood Services confirmed that the two had been compared side by side and they were identical.

A Member suggested that a reminder should be sent to the Police encouraging them and PCSOs to tackle the issue of dog fouling. The Leader agreed to raise the matter with the Police and Crime Commissioner.

RESOLVED:            Members noted the report.