Overview and Scrutiny Committee - Thursday, 1st August, 2024 7.00 pm - Agenda and minutes

NOTED: The appointment of Cllr S.J. Masterson as Standing Deputy for the Committee for the 2024/25 Municipal Year in place of Cllr M.D. Smith.

To confirm the Minutes of the Meeting held on 13th June, 2024 (copy attached).

The minutes of the meeting held on 13th June, 2024 were agreed as a correct record.

To receive the 2023/24 Annual Report (copy attached) from SERCO on their activities during the year. The report covers SERCOs purpose, vision, mission and values, alongside details of performance in the key areas of refuse and recycling and management of street cleansing and grounds maintenance

The item will be introduced by Rushmoor’s Environmental Contracts Service Manager, Ruth Whaymand and representatives from SERCO, including Aaron Straker, Contract Manager.

The Committee welcomed Ms Ruth Whaymand, the Council’s Environmental Contracts Service Manager and Mr Aaron Straker, SERCO Contract Manager who were in attendance to present SERCO’s 2023/24 Annual Report. Also present was Cllr Becky Williams, Neighbourhood Services Portfolio Holder, who had been invited to attend for this item.

Ms Whaymand set the scene and explained what would be covered during this session. She recapped the process by which the contract had been awarded in 2017 and provided an overview of the service areas involved. It was stressed that the relationship between the Council and SERCO was a very close one, with a ‘one team’ approach to service provision. A number of changes had been made to the contract since 2017, including the introduction of weekly food waste collections and alternate weekly collection for rubbish and recycling.

Mr Straker started by setting out background information about SERCO and how the company operated. In relation to the services delivered at Rushmoor. These could be set out under three headings:

·                    Collections

·                    Street Cleansing

·                    Ground Maintenance

The Committee was provided with data in relation to domestic collections, including various performance measures. It was confirmed that such information was discussed between SERCO and the Council at monthly performance review meetings. Mr Straker admitted that the missed food collection rate was higher than he would like and steps were being taken to address this. The Committee discussed the collections section of the presentation and made the following comments:

·                    Important that residents eligible for the assisted collection scheme know how to access this – confirmed that this should be arranged through the Customer Services team

·                    Currently an issue around the replacement of broken food waste bins – ensure SERCO made aware on every occasion

·                    Will be interesting to see how the development of AI impacts on this service area

·                    Explained that the Council uses Portsmouth City Council for internal audit as the Council’s internal auditor does not have capacity to carry this out

·                    Publicity needs to be clearer on the disposal of vapes

·                    Discussion around collections from properties where bins are unavoidably stored permanently on pavements and collections from HMOs and flats

·                    Clarified that a 3% pay rise would result in £35,000 increased expenditure

·                    In relation to the Megaskip proposal, SERCO have quoted for a pilot involving regular collections from high-risk areas using a box van

·                    Confirmed that missed bin stats rely on resident reporting on every occasion

In relation to street cleansing, Mr Straker explained that SERCO provided four cage teams, responsible for cleansing specific sites such as shop fronts, parks and car parks, along with emptying the 800 litter bins in the Borough. In addition to the cage teams, there were two town centre barrow beats that were aimed at keeping Aldershot and Farnborough town centres clean and tidy. The Hit Squad was a team of streets operatives that cleansed roads across the Borough using one large and two small mechanical sweepers. Finally a team of public toilets operatives was responsible for the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

To consider the Work Plan for the 2023/24 Municipal Year (copy attached).

The Committee noted the current Work Plan and that there would be two meetings in September, with the CIPFA report being considered on 12th September and, on 19th September, Chief Inspector Cox and the Council’s Community Safety Team would be in attendance.

The Progress Group was due to meet on 15th August to plan the Committee’s future activities.