Decision details

The Panel considered the latest trends, priorities and pressures in terms of departmental performance as reported in the Quarterly Service Report (QSR) for the first quarter of 2012/13 (April to June) relating to Environment, Culture and Communities (ECC).

The Director of Environment, Culture and Communities gave a presentation in respect of the ECC Department’s QSR and Service Plan. As the Environment, Culture and Communities Department was no longer overseeing the Housing function within the Borough Council, this had impacted on data in the QSR.

Major variances in revenue had occurred in relation to Waste Management Refuse Collection Contract, Waste Management Disposal, Car Parking Income, Development Control Income, Cemetery and Crematorium, Landscape Services Vehicles, Coral Reef Income, Primary Authority Income, and Licensing Income.

The amount of waste going to landfill was expensive, so the current decrease in waste going to landfill enabled significant savings to be made. The number of people using car parking in the Town Centre had decreased and less people were purchasing season tickets which was a concern. Coral Reef was still performing well. Figures in relation to staff turnover and staff sickness had decreased.

There had been resistance from some members of the public to car park charging at The Look Out and there had been a technical breakdown with the card payment system which was being investigated. The weather impacted on landscape services and golf club income had decreased.

A Recycling Incentive Scheme was being established and was due to be operational from April 2013. The Primary Authority scheme enabled companies to buy into added services, such as food and trading standards advice, and health and safety advice. Waitrose were the biggest company buying into this service from Bracknell Forest at present and were being given trading standards advice. It was thought that standards in general could be improved in this way.

In response to Members’ questions, the following points were made:

• The recycling scheme would seek to increase participation as 25% of people were still not recycling, and would also seek less contamination of products for recycling. Not all plastics were recycled as some plastics had a low product value.
• The issue with the card payment system at The Look Out was being investigated by the companies responsible for the system and would be resolved as soon as possible.
• Members of the Panel would be provided with further information on the amount of revenue generated from car parking charges at The Look Out.
• Free parking at The Look Out was funded by the Crown Estate if a cycle permit was purchased as the cost of a cycle permit covered the cost of parking. There would be no cycle permits from April 2013 as people would then be able to cycle for free.
• Members of the Panel would be provided with clarification of staff annual sickness rates for 2010/11 and 2011/12 for the Environment, Culture and Communities Department.
• Reports regarding the Recycling Initiative Scheme would be considered by the Borough Council’s Executive in November. There was a short time frame in which to make a bid for funding from Defra; a bid was made for £108,000 out of the £600,000 available funding for all of the UK and the bid was successful. This was the start of the process and there would be opportunities to consider the scheme over the next two years. It was a requirement of Defra to make sure that the scheme delivered against its targets. A progress update would provided on the Recycling Incentive Scheme at the next Panel meeting on 22 January 2013.
• There were approximately 350 casual posts in Environment, Culture and Communities, some of which were students employed during the busier summer months.
• Panel members would be informed if any additional cycle paths had been established to and at The Look Out.
• Leaves were a landfill cost of approximately £25,000 annually and there was a pressure now to pay this. Defra and MPs had been contacted regarding this cost and possible alternatives.