BLACKPOOL COUNCIL

ANNUAL REPORT

PORTFOLIO HOLDER FOR URBAN ENVIRONMENT

TO THE

URBAN ENVIRONMENT SERVICE DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

6th OCTOBER 2005

PORTFOLIO HOLDERS ANNUAL REPORT

1.INTRODUCTION

There are ten areas covered by the portfolio, whose functions and responsibilities include; Transportation and Highways, Traffic and Parking; Street Cleansing, Refuse and Waste Services; Operational Services and Building Cleaning; Cemeteries and Crematoriums; Public Convenience and Security; Environmental Services including, Licensing and Trading Standards.

2.TRANSPORTATION AND HIGHWAYS

2.1 One of the main achievements for the area of Transportation and Highways in 2004 was the Central Area Coastal Protection Scheme. Following detailed discussions with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs during 2004, the final submission for the Central Area Coast Protection Scheme was completed in January 2005. An informal notification of the approval of the bid in the sum of £62.3m was received in March 2005 and the formal approval letter was received on 14th April 2005. This scheme will see the reconstruction sea walls and parades between the Sandcastle Water World and Cocker Steps over the next five years. This scheme will be linked with a Masterplan project for the regeneration and improvement of the whole of this section of the Blackpool frontage, including the construction and development of five headlands.

Work commenced to the Central Gateway scheme in June 2004 on the regeneration of the area between Waterloo Road and Bloomfield Road including the construction of the two Climbing Towers, the introduction of a play area and multi-use games area, the redesign of the parking area and significant landscaping. The scheme also incorporated the removal of the Bloomfield Road Bridge and the creation of a new signal controlled junction between Bloomfield Road and Seasiders Way. The total scheme value is £13.5m and completion is programmed for October 2005.

2.2 TRANSPORTATION AND HIGHWAYS ACHIEVEMENTS FOR 2004/5

  • The Southern Gateway scheme, the redesign and improvement of the Watson Road and Sandcastle Car Parks together with lighting and repaving of the Southern Promenade Parade Area from the Car Parks to Harrowside, was completed in August 2004. The scheme cost of £4.4m was funded by Single Regeneration Budget and European Regional Development Funding allocations.
  • The works to introduce pedestrian priority traffic management into the section of Abingdon Street and Church Street, between Talbot Road and Cedar Square commenced in January 2004. The works comprised the repaving of the footways within the area using granite flags and the upgrading of the street furniture, including new lighting, seating, bollards and signing at a contract cost of £1.3m. On completion of the scheme in September 2004, traffic was restricted to public transport vehicles only, that is buses and taxis, and a safer pedestrian environment was created.
  • In association with the traffic management requirements for the Town Centre Pedestrian Priority Scheme, the junctions of Coronation Street/Albert Road, Coronation Street/Hornby Road, Hornby Road/Park Road and Whitegate Drive/Forest Gate were modified and improved to ease traffic flows and accommodate pedestrian crossing movements. As part of the Neighbourhood Road Safety Initiative the junctions of Bloomfield Road/Ansdell Road, Caunce Street/Collingwood Avenue, Whitegate Drive/Condor Grove, Lytham Road/Watson Road and Bloomfield Road/Central Drive was modified and pedestrian Crossing facilities were installed. The total contract value of the above works was £1.46m.
  • During June to September 2004, the section of East Park Drive between the new Blackpool Victoria Hospital junction and Woodside Drive junction was resurfaced and traffic signals installed at these junctions at a cost of £606k.
  • Between January and March 2005, the section of Fleetwood Road from Norbreck Drive and the Queens Promenade/Kelso Avenue junction was resurfaced at a cost of £116k.
  • The resurfacing of Mowbray Drive between Plymouth Road and the Borough boundary was commenced in January and completed in March 2005 at a cost of £250k.
  • Ralumac slurry sealing was carried out to a number of carriageways and included several roads where Ward Councillors had worked together with Officers in identifying roads within their Ward and contributed from the Ward budget. These included Fulwood Avenue, Marhill Road, Branstree Road and Bowland Crescent.

3.TRAFFIC AND PARKING

3.1 One of the main service aims of Traffic and Parking for 2004/5 was to deal with the Councils objectives relating to the reduction of crime and the fear of crime in their car parks. This is a continual process and reaching secure status is one of the major factors that help the Service achieve its goal. The secure scheme provides guidance to Local Authorities on how to establish and maintain a secure environment through the introduction of proven management processes, physical measures and site security systems having considered the local crime within the immediate location

3.2 TRAFFIC AND PARKING ACHIEVEMENTS 2004/5

  • The ‘Secure Car Park’ accreditation was increased from one to six car parks the new sites being, East Topping St, Sands Way, Rigby Rd, Central Coach Station, Lonsdale Car Park, Talbot Surface.
  • Lighting on all secured car parks was brought up to accreditation standard.
  • Pay on foot parking was introduced on the Talbot Rd Multi Storey car park
  • Communications were improved with every Officer now having their own radio.
  • Lining and signing took place throughout the whole year to bring the town centre up to an achievable standard.
  • The Paris payment system was introduced and PIs show the integration process has been a success.
  • There has been a major strategy introduced to improve road safety around schools, wardens visiting on a regular basis and direct phone numbers given to the schools if problems arise and they wish attendants to visit.
  • On street pay and display was introduced for the first time in the town centre, publicity was arranged by PR in consultation with Officers and Members, the introduction was a great success and because of this an expansion is planned for 2005/6.
  • Refurbishment was started on West St car park and 2005/6 expected completion.

4.STREET CLEANSING

4.1The street cleansing service continues to maintain a high standard of cleanliness across the borough. All statutory targets have been met and additional cleansing tasks, such as car parks, conferences and special events absorbed into the service. The ‘streetscene’ initiative saw the establishment of Neighbourhood Environmental Action Teams (NEAT) in six pilot areas across the town. These teams offer a rapid response to incidents of fly tipping, graffiti, blocked gullies, potholes and carry out the weed-spraying programme across the Borough. Funding for NEAT has been from within existing budgets and supplemented with money from the Community Safety Partnership, as many of the issues the teams deal with are considered signal crimes, which affect the quality of life of Blackpool residents. The imminent reorganisation of Technical Services will see the NEAT initiative rolled out across the Borough as part of the new streetscene service. This reorganisation will also result in a unified streetscene workforce, comprising street cleansing, highways maintenance and those elements of grounds maintenance that are not within park areas. The aim is to create a service able to undertake all the work associated with keeping the streets of Blackpool clean, green and safe.

4.2STREET CLEANSING ACHIEVEMENTS 2004/5

  • The cleanliness inspection regime was amalgamated with the highways regime as part of the development of streetscene services across Blackpool. This has enabled more staff to undertake inspections across all the disciplines affecting the town’s streets.

 The streetscene pilot has been so successful, that two residents’ groups have provided additional funding for their own mini-NEAT service.

  • Streetscene employees are trained across all the disciplines and able to issue fixed penalty notices for environmental crimes, such as dog fouling and dumped waste.
  • Projects such as clearing debris from Kincraig lake and repairing and renovating children’s playgrounds have been achieved.

5.REFUSE AND WASTE MANAGEMENT SERVICES

5.1A new waste collection and recycling contract began in April; Onyx was the successful bidder for the contract. In July, the Council began the rollout of the new kerbside wheeled bin service. The majority of households were issued with three wheeled bins for their waste: a green-lidded bin for garden and cardboard waste; a blue-lidded bin for plastic bottles, glass and metal; and a grey-lidded bin for the non-recyclable waste. In addition, each household has a blue bag for waste paper. The new service provides an alternate weekly collection; with recyclables collected one week and the non-recyclables collected the next week. The aim of introducing the service is to divert as much recyclable waste as possible away from landfill, to help contain waste disposal costs and to help ensure the UK complies with European Landfill Directive targets.

5.2REFUSE AND WASTE MANAGEMENT SERVICES ACHIEVEMENTS 2004/5

 The Council exceeded the waste-recycling target set by central government for all local authorities. Blackpool recycled over 18% of the waste generated by the town’s residents.

  • The initial results of the new collection service are very encouraging with residents recycling approximately 50% of their household waste.
  • The household waste recycling centre at Bristol Avenue received a complete makeover.
  • The Council continued to explore the possibility of a countywide waste disposal private finance initiative (PFI) scheme, as part of the Lancashire Waste.

6.OPERATIONAL SERVICES & BUILDING MAINTENANCE

6.1Operational Services and Building Maintenance falls within the Business Services Directorate and includes, asset management capital works and building maintenance. This service has an essential role to play for the effective operation of the Council, albeit not always recognised. During 2004/5 the building cleaning service has been reviewed to improve quality and cost effectiveness. In association with the Head of Procurement Legal Services, Audit and Capital Works (Engineers) ensured that Partnering is developed in line with the Government Guidance. Under the Council’s Procurement Strategy, contracts are now formalised and there is greater understanding of the various contract options.

6.2OPERATIONAL SERVICES & BUILDING MAINTENANCE ACHIEVEMENTS 2004/2005

  • Carried out a review of security/care taking arrangements across the five main corporate office buildings and currently investigating a more responsive and efficient service.
  • Carried out a detailed review of the service areas connected with conference room booking, associated catering and Audio Visual ICT support across the five main corporate office buildings and currently implementing a more responsive and efficient service.
  • Carried out a review the Council’s utility procurement methods to ensure the most economically advantageous prices are obtained and reduce environmental damage to a minimum.
  • Been involved in the establishment of a corporate planned maintenance programme.
  • Complied with and advised on the Disability Discrimination Act in relation to property and service delivery
  • Delivered a capital programme in excess of £40m in the leisure, education and housing areas including the £6m development at Palatine School.
  • Received six awards from the Civic Trust for excellence of design and use of materials for the Solarium, Palatine Library, Boundary City Learning Centre, Boundary Primary School and Park School Stable Block and the Customer First offices in the Municipal Buildings.

7.CEMETERIES & CREMATORIUM

7.1The Council operates two cemeteries and a crematorium throughout the year. Under the direction of the Business Services Directorate, this section is responsible for all administration associated with the provision of the cemetery and cremation service at Carleton and the Layton Cemetery. Carleton has inter-denominational sections for both burials and cremated remains, giving the relatives an alternative to the traditional disposal of strewing or interring in niches.

7.2CEMETERIES & CREMATORIUM ACHIEVEMENTS 2004/5

  • The office at the crematorium was extended to provide a new reception facility for members of the public along with a refurbishment of the current office to provide a better working environment for staffs working there.
  • The grounds maintenance staff were removed from their antiquated building into a new portakabin to provide them with more modern facilities and their building was redesigned to provide room for a floral tearoom to provide the public with somewhere to buy both flowers and refreshments.
  • A further part of Phase II of the Carleton Cemetery was completed to provide more graves for future use along with road and pathways to provide easier access.
  • The Health & Safety project down at Layton cemetery was started and mostly completed during this financial year which meant that memorials which had been laid flat the previous year due to being unsafe were re-erected.
  • New memorial wall completed ready to provide further space for Tablet and Niche inscriptions.
  • Re-dedication of a memorial for the late Troop Sergeant Major Hughes (Charge of the Light Brigade) by HRH the Princess Alexandra which was attended by myself, the Friends of Layton Cemetery and a host of other Council and Civic dignitaries.

8.PUBLIC CONVENIENCES

8.1Most of the Danfo units are now in place, with the final three of the originally agreed contract due for installation this year. The decision was taken to remove public toilets completely from Talbot Square, to provide space for a future Masterplan development. The unit is being relocated to the new central gateway area and is due to be operational by the end of the year. The benefits of the modular design of the toilets are now apparent as a unit is being moved from one Promenade location to another, whilst the coastal defence works take place. It will be returned to its original location once the defences in that area are complete.

8.2PUBLIC CONVENIENCES ACHIEVEMENTS 2004/5

  • The Danfo partnership continues to prove successful, with Blackpool’s public toilets recognised as 7th in the ‘Premier League’ of Local Authority toilets, by the British Toilet Association.
  • Fully automatic toilets are cleaned after each use.
  • Other locations - these toilets are cleaned as often as needed, with mobile teams visiting the various locations regularly to make sure they stay in a clean and hygienic condition.

9.ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES

9.1The Environment Services function covers Environmental Protection, which includes noise and the investigation of all types of alleged statutory nuisances; filthy and verminous premises, Local Authority pollution prevention control - air quality management; Environmental Management and bio diversity; Drainage and Pest Control Services; Dog Control; Food Hygiene and Food Standards Fair Trading. Using CIPFA Trading Standards statistics Blackpool ranks highest or second highest for the number of premises, number of complaints, requests for advice from businesses, total number of enforcement activity, formal cautions issued and the number of prosecutions.

9.2ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES ACHIEVEMENTS 2004/5

  • Funding of £11k secured towards the training of Trading Standards Officers
  • Safer Food Better Business - successfully completed FSA funded pilot scheme.
  • Safer Food Better Business – bid for special grant of £53k to continue work for Food Standards Agency.
  • Alcohol Misuse Enforcement Campaign in partnership with Police and Advocacy with underage volunteers. Fourth highest resource input nationally beaten only by three county councils
  • ‘Nightsafe Initiative’ supported by Home Office and delivery of best practice advice at national seminars by our staff. Scheme expanded to include health and safety staff. Highlighted as Best Practice by Home Office, has lead to an increase from 2 to 64 offences reported.
  • Continued success in reducing illegal street trading, elimination of snake photographers and touts. Zero tolerance campaign launched, 54 offence reports submitted since 1st April 2005, with 24/7 report line for street trading introduced.
  • Magpie Scheme – major success in reducing thefts, recovering stolen goods in partnership with Police (58K worth of goods recovered, 37 offenders detected).
  • Safe and Secure Directory – a list of approved trades people to work in peoples homes. Again intended to reduce criminal activities mentioned above. The Directory is a partnership initiative with Care and Repair, Age Concern and Police (highlighted by G Marsden in House of Commons as example of good practice.)
  • Opening times wider than other Local Authorities now open Saturday morning.
  • Vulnerable person intervention Scheme, not offered by other Council’s.

10.CONCLUSION

The Portfolio of the Urban Environment covers a diverse range of functions across many different departments with the Council. All of these sections share expertise and identify areas of good practice, improve efficiency and effectiveness by exploring economies of scale and ultimately deliver better value for money for the local community and visitors.

Urbanenvironment/annual report/SDCSeptember2005

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