Daren Spring presented the report that provided the detail behind the Street Scene and Leisure Service saving opportunities presented to Cabinet at the beginning of July 2021 for further consideration.

Councillor Redsell questioned why Highways England could not do more to address litter issues in the borough to which Daren Spring stated Highways England cleaning regime was different to Thurrock Councils but they were in regular contact with them and that teams were out this week dealing with the Thurrock stretch on the A13.

Councillor Pothecary thanked Daren Spring for the report and stated her concerns on the impacts of these savings and there had already been a deterioration in business over the last couple of months. That the report had not provided any alternatives only that this was just what was on the table and asked for some further information on whether any alternatives were looked into and why these were not included in the report. Daren Spring noted Councillor’s Pothecary concerns on the reduction of services and stated the elements referred to by Councillor Pothecary had been looked into and this was just part of the overall picture and would have the minimum impact when services were reduced.

Councillor Pothecary referred to the potential risk that reducing the capacity of the street cleansing service would result in less frequent litter picking in some areas to which Daren Spring stated there would be a minimum impact on services across the borough with an increase of the mechanical sweep in some areas.

Councillor Redsell commented that she would like to speak on behalf of the committee when the report was presented to Cabinet.

Councillor Thandi questioned the comparison of services offered now to last year to which Daren Spring stated there had been no change in services offered last year and that the Bartec electronic system was now used to mark off the collections of waste, street cleansing and grounds maintenance work once completed.

Councillor Thandi questioned whether the Council had lost workers over the last year to which Daren Spring stated this was no difference to previous years as permanent staff tended to stay and although there is always a turnover of some agency staff, the Council were able to retain agency staff in many instances.

Councillor Rigby questioned whether the 10 day cycle of litter picking would be reduced to which Daren Spring stated the litter picking cycle may change to a 15 day cycle on major routes but there would be an increase of frequency in the mechanical sweep across these areas of the borough.

Members agreed that the wording in the recommendation 1 be changed from “…recommend approval of the proposals outlined in the report to Cabinet” to “noted the proposals outlined in the report”.

RESOLVED

1.         The Committee considered the report in view of the current and MTFS position and noted the proposals outlined in the report.

2.         The Committee agreed that Councillor Redsell speak on behalf of the committee when the report was presented to Cabinet.