Issue - meetings

C Thorpe introduced the report to members and ran through the highlights and key achievements.

• Environmental awareness has had a very busy quarter with new initiatives. The Love Parks campaign was more successful than expected.
• The Community Champion awards were held at The Marchmont Arms and awards were given to individuals and local groups.
• The department’s bid for help tackling fly tipping was successful and information leaflets will be distributed raising key messages.
• A lead gardener for the Water Gardens is now in post and the Tree and Woodlands Officer post has been filled.
• Members asked for analysis on reasons for sickness day and the report shows the majority of them are gastrointestinal which is to be expected as staff work in crews of 3-7 and any illness will spread quickly. Musculoskeletal issues are second on the list. Incidences of mental health absence have increased but these mean staff are often off for a longer period of time.
• Number of accidents in this quarter are included in the report, there were 19 vehicle accidents but these were mostly knocking off wing mirrors which is to be expected when crews are visiting every road in the borough.
• Regarding the performance indicators, the department is over target on collections which is impressive as they collect 1.2 million bins in each quarter.

Councillor C Wyatt-Lowe complimented C Thorpe and his team on the Water Gardens. She was pleased to see the smaller islands had been cleared of rubbish but the geese seem to have made a comeback and are pecking holes in the grass. Secondly, the new Swallowdale estate does not seem to have any general litter bins or dog waste bins installed and she asked if they were due to be.

C Thorpe said the dog waste bin contract did not fall under his remit. He was unsure about the situation regarding litter bins and said he would come back to Councillor C Wyatt-Lowe with an answer after the meeting. The geese have had an impact on the maintenance of the gardens. The team are working with others to come up with some solutions. One that has been suggested is to not cut the grass on the edge of the banks so it is difficult for them to get out the water.

Councillor Birnie asked what was the difference between litter and detritus.

C Thorpe said litter was rubbish dropped like crisp packets and detritus was dirt, earth and weeds.

Councillor Birnie said the department had been removing dog waste bins in his ward to see if it was cost effective. He asked if any conclusions could be drawn yet.

C Thorpe said there will be a report to this committee in January about dog waste bins. If dog waste bins are not able to be repaired then they are removed if there is a general litter bin nearby. There haven’t been any complaints as yet.

Councillor Birnie asked if any publicity had been promoted to tell residents that dog waste  ...  view the full minutes text for item 151