Agenda item

Notice of motion No. 1 – Highways and Streetscene Contract

From Councillors Jeff Osborn and Helen Osborn

Details of the motion attached and for the benefit of members, the rules taken from the constitution on how motions are dealt with at the meeting.

The Chairman reported receipt of the following motion:

Notice of Motion no. 1 – Highways and Streetscene Contract

From Cllrs Jeff Osborn and Helen Osborn

Cllr Jeff Osborn moved the following motion which was duly seconded by Cllr Helen Osborn:

‘Preamble

A number of members including myself have received several complaints on the grass cutting service or lack of it since commencement of the new Highways and Streetscene contract on 1 June 2013.

It is our view therefore thatthe Council should receive convincing reassurance that the recent problems with the grass cutting service will not reoccur.

Action

That Council instructs the Environment Select Committee to:

• undertake regular and close monitoring of this element of the new contract with Balfour Beatty Living Places;
• to consider what lessons can be learned from how this contract was implemented to assist with planning future similar contracts and
• to make recommendations as appropriate to the Executive’.

Cllr Jeff Osborn spoke to his motion expressing his concerns over the highways and streetscene contract. He explained that he had received several complaints that grassed areas had not been cut. Cllr Helen Osborn echoed such concerns and asked how the contract was being monitored and managed. She also considered that lessons should be learnt when considering future contracts.

A lengthy debate ensued during which the following main points were made:

·         negative impact on residents

·         lack of proper equipment provided to carry out the work

·         quality of service was not consistent

·         some play areas particularly affected which rendered them unusable

·         health and safety concerns over possible injuries in long grass

·         problems exacerbated by recent wet weather

·         transfer of appropriate number of staff had also been an issue

·         that lessons should be learnt from this

·         reputational damage to the Council

·         Councillors had not been kept informed

Cllr John Thomson Cabinet member for Highways and Transport responded to the motion. He explained that some difficulties had arisen partly due to the weather and partly due to not knowing how many staff would TUPE to the new contract until commencement of the contract. He reminded Council that he had made every effort to keep members fully informed by having circulated three separate briefing notes to members. The Managing Director of Balfour Beatty Living Places (BBLP) would be taking feedback from this meeting and addressing members’ concerns. He confirmed that BBLP were putting things right quickly and catching up with the work at their own costs.

Cllr Thomson pointed out that grass cutting was a very small element of a considerable value contract with BBLP and he was happy that Councillors seemed content with the remainder of the contract.

Cllr Thomson did not think it right for Council to dictate to Scrutiny on what it should be taking up as issues. He considered that it was up to Scrutiny to determine its own workplan and priorities. Should Scrutiny decide to look into the contract, he confirmed that he would be happy to attend its meetings to provide any input and information required.

Cllr Jeff Osborn with the consent of his seconder, amended the motion to read that ‘That Council asks instructs the Environment Select Committee to…..’

On being put to the vote, the above motion was LOST and it was therefore

Resolved:

That notice of motion no. 1 on the Highways and Streetscene Contract be NOT adopted.