Agenda item
EXECUTIVE MEMBER FOR ENVIRONMENT AND TRANSPORT - PERFORMANCE PRESENTATION
Minutes:
Councillor Webbe gave a presentation on the work of the Environment and Transport Directorate. A copy of the presentation would be interleaved with the agenda.
In the discussion the following points were
made:
·
On the issue of Fuel Poverty, over 700 households
had received ‘Energy Doctor in the home’ measures and
advice and that the 50 high-risk households identified had received
substantial energy efficiency packages through ‘ Warmth on
Prescription’. In addition over 4700 households had signed up
since November 2013 ensuring a savings of £1.1million for the
residents. The committee was informed that the Council had
delivered a successful partnership with Robin Hood Energy with a
view of encouraging residents to switch to lower tariffs especially
low income earners and those using smart meters.
·
SHINE (Seasonal Health Interventions Network) - In
2016, 2,399 vulnerable residents had been referred with each person
being offered an average of four to five interventions. The meeting
was advised that as a result of its success SHINE had been rolled
out to all over London with EDF funding.
·
Following the success of the Bunhill Heat Energy Centre (phase1), work was
ongoing especially with regards to replicating similar schemes
around the borough using defunct London Underground stations. The
installation of PV panels on Council buildings had resulted in
savings of £75k a year and the switch to LED lighting had
resulted into a further £120k savings.
·
Air quality measures such as text notifications to
inform residents about pollution levels; promoting travelling by
public transport; the launch of Archway ‘Zero Emissions
Network’ and working with Mayor on ‘Ultra Low Emissions
Zone were initiatives the Council continues to promote to ensure
that residents live in a healthy and clean environment. In response
to concerns about banning diesel vehicles in inner London and its
impact on lower income earners, the Executive Member acknowledged
that consultation was on going and the introduction of electric
/hybrid vehicles would be implemented on a phased basis. A
suggestion for the committee to revisit a previous review into the
impact of diesel vehicles on the various social groups was
noted.
·
With regards to Strategic Transport, the meeting was
advised that dangerous junctions at Old Street and Highbury Corner
were in the process of being transformed and consultation regarding
the road network around Kings Cross will commence around 2018. It
was suggested that TFL should give due consideration to the siting
of pedestrian crossings especially around stations. Members were
also notified that following Council lobbying with TFL, the lift
replacement works at Caledonian Road station were being carried out
without unnecessarily closing the station. The Executive Member
informed Committee that Islington’s first cycle Quietway was almost complete and with the extra TFL
funding the Council would continue its cycle improvement programme
up to 2021/2. In addition Committee were informed that as part of
its air quality programme the Council over the next 10 months
would increase the number of EVCP (
Electric Vehicle Charging Points ) from 10 to more than 100
bays
·
On the issue of waste and recycling, the Executive
Member advised that in spite of the fall in recycling rate to 29.4
% in 2015/16, Islington still remained the third highest recycling
authority within inner London. She acknowledged that issues about
contamination would need to be tackled and addressed by improved
ways of communicating the message especially to a widely diverse
borough. On the issue of recycling in Estate blocks the meeting was
informed that bespoke measures had been designed to suit different
estate blocks. Residents had been consulted with options such as
designated chute systems for recycling and others with option of
street level collection points. On the question on whether the
Council is able to measure recycling performances, the meeting was
advised that adequate infrastructure would have to be in place and
introduction of technology in the future would enable Council
patterns and analyse recycling performances. Members welcomed the
news that complaints regarding missed collections had fallen after
resolving a few technical hitches.
·
SES Cleaning Operational Performance – The
Executive Member informed Committee that the arrival of new
vehicles, mechanical sweepers and improved back office digital
systems had resulted in an improvement with street cleaning. On
concerns that housing association residents were being penalised
for fly tipping, the Committee was advised that it was the
responsibility of housing associations to inform their tenants of
fly tipping issues and where Council are notified to remove fly
tipping on highway safety grounds, a charge would be levied. In
addition the meeting was advised that for future developments,
planning consideration would include issues such as lumber storage
and secure cycle storage which should alleviate issues around fly
tipping.
· The Executive Member informed the Committee that with regards to Parks in the borough, user satisfaction was up from 93% last year to 96% and that Islington would be representing London in ‘Britain in Bloom’ competition this year. In addition the meeting was advised that the Cemetery Grounds Maintenance Service was now being provided in house. Finally the meeting was informed that the Council had secured a £1.8m Lottery funding for Caledonian Park Clocktower project.
RESOLVED:
1) That the presentation be noted.
2) That Communication with residents regarding issues around recycling should be enhanced.
3) That Council Officers to liaise with housing providers on fly tipping concerns on their estates.
4) That the committee be circulated with the previous review on Air Quality and consideration be given to looking at the effect of diesel vehicles on various social classes.
Supporting documents: