MIDDLESBROUGH COUNCIL

Environment Scrutiny Panel Service - Response – Maintenance of Open Spaces

Executive Member for Environment: Tracy Harvey

Executive Director of Corporate and Commercial Services:
Tony Parkinson

17th February2015

PURPOSE OF THE REPORT

1.Toupdate the Executive on the work done by the Environment Scrutiny Panel on its investigation into the maintenance of open spaces in Middlesbrough.

SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS

2.The Executive is asked to support the service response and associated action plan.

IF THIS IS A KEY DECISION WHICH KEY DECISION TEST APPLIES?

3. / It is over the financial threshold (£150,000)
It has a significant impact on 2 or more wards
Non Key / x

DECISION IMPLEMENTATION DEADLINE

4.For the purposes of the scrutiny call in procedure this report is

Non-urgent / x
Urgent report

If urgent please give full reasons

BACKGROUND AND EXTERNAL CONSULTATION

5.This report summarises the finding of the Environment Scrutiny Panelfollowing their investigation into the maintenance of open spaces in Middlesbrough and provides a response from the Service. The recommendations from the panel’s final report are in paragraph 8.

  1. The Environment Scrutiny Panel have considered the maintenance of open spaces in Middlesbrough, expressed views on a range of issues and produced a report. A copy of the full report is attached as Appendix A.
  1. The Scrutiny Panel have put forward ten recommendations to which the service has responded within the action plan:
  1. The recommendations were:

a)That the scripts used by the contact centre be updated in light of the recent budget reductions to ensure that accurate advice is given to residents when enquiries relating to the maintenance of open spaces are submitted. The department’s service promises should also be refreshed and updated to reflect the current budget position.

b)That guidance be produced and published in the Love Middlesbrough magazine and on the Council website which advises residents of the actions they are legally entitled to undertake directly outside of their premises in respect of tending grass verges, weed removal and litter picking.

c)That a wild flower initiative is undertaken on a key grass verge gateway into Middlesbrough as a trial project in an effort to fully assess the potential benefits of introducing this type of scheme in Middlesbrough.

d)That Community Councils be approached by the department to establish if there is interest from individual Community Councils to fund / sponsor the provision of bedding plants / wildflower projects / bulb planting schemes in their respective wards and to inform Community Councils of the individual beds that will be grassed if the necessary funds cannot be raised.

e)That the contract for business sponsorships for roundabouts be retendered in an effort to generate additional income for the Council.

f)That work be undertaken to establish the feasibility of developing new business opportunities (e.g. public sale of plants)at the Council’s nursery for the benefit of Middlesbrough residents.

g)That a targeted enforcement campaign be undertaken at the recycling bring sites to send a clear message to perpetrators that fly tipping is not acceptable.

h)That the creation of apprenticeship opportunities be included in the business planning process for the ADM for EPCS, in an effort to increase the number of employment / apprenticeship opportunities for young people in Middlesbrough in this area of work in the future.

i)That when new roundabouts are installed careful consideration is given to future management requirements and that an ‘invest to save’ approach is adopted in respect of prominent roundabouts in Middlesbrough with a view to reducing ongoing revenue costs.

j)Thatdiscussions be held with Erimus Housing in respect of the future arrangements for the maintenance of open spaces across the town. The feasibility of the responsibility for the maintenance of all open space land across the town to be managed by the Council in the future should be explored. The joint visits previously undertaken by Erimus and Council officers should also be reinstated.

IMPACT ASSESSMENT (IA)

7.An impacted assessment is not required.

FINANCIAL, LEGAL AND WARD IMPLICATIONS

8.Financial – The proposed actions have no significant cost implications, and could potentially generate additional income. Any additional costs will be absorbed within existing budgets.

9.Ward Implications – The maintenance of open spaces is important to residents and affects all wards throughout the town.

10.Legal Implications – There are no legal implications at this stage.

RECOMMENDATIONS

11.The Executive is asked to support the service response.

REASONS

12.To allow the service to progress in whilst delivering the required budget reductions, contributing to the Council’s strategic outcomes and delivering the maximum levels of benefit for Middlesbrough.

BACKGROUND PAPERS

14. The following background papers were used in the preparation of this report:

Appendix A – Environment Scrutiny Panel, Maintenance of Open Spaces in Middlesbrough - Final Report.

AUTHOR: Tom Punton

TEL NO: 01642 728300

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Address: Civic Centre, Middlesbrough

Website:

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