Decision details

Opposition Motion from Cllr Alan Schneiderman - The State of Barnet's Streets

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Is Key decision?: No

Is subject to call in?: No

Decisions:

Councillor Alan Schneiderman moved the motion in his name.  Councillor Dean Cohen moved the amendment in his name.  Councillor Anne Clarke moved the amendment in her name.  Debate ensued.

 

The amendment in the name of Councillor Dean Cohen was put to the vote. Votes were recorded as follows:

 

For

37

Against

0

Abstentions

24

Absent

2

 

The motion in the name of Councillor Dean Cohen was declared CARRIED.

 

The amendment in the name of Councillor Anne Clarke was put to the vote. Votes were recorded as follows:

 

For

24

Against

37

Abstentions

0

Absent

2

 

The motion in the name of Councillor Anne Clarke was declared LOST.

 

The substantive motion as amended by Councillor Dean Cohen was put to the vote.

 

It was unanimously AGREED.

 

RESOLVED that:

 

Council knows how important a clean environment is to local residents, as well as how a neglected street scene can have a detrimental impact on levels of crime, disorder, and how safe people feel.

 

Council notes that the cleanliness of Barnet's streets has been deteriorating, with increasing complaints to local councillors about litter and detritus on pavements and roads, overflowing and uncollected street and park litter bins, fly-tipped rubbish and uncollected autumn leaves.

 

Council notes that this has been made significantly worse by the thousands of missed bin collections across the borough since 4 November.

 

Council notes that in 2007/08 every residential street in Barnet was swept 13 times a year, with regular cleaning of town centres and regular street litter bin collections. 

 

Council notes that LB Barnet's street cleaning policy for residential streets is now entirely re-active, and streets are only inspected or swept if someone reports an issue to the Council.

 

Council believes an urgent review of street cleaning and environmental enforcement is needed within the budget envelope

 

Council instructs the Environment Committee to:

 

·       review all current policies on street cleaning and environmental enforcement, together with the impact these are having on the level of litter and fly-tipping across the borough;

 

·       consider best practice in other boroughs including regular monitored community skips for bulky waste, closer working with private landlords and tenants on disposal of bulky waste, and ways to make it easier for residents to report issues to the Council - through a mobile device app for example;

 

·       improve engagement with the community on environmental issues, including more systematic support for community groups that are concerned about the state of our streets, and working with businesses, especially fast food outlets, to ensure they are minimising litter on surrounding streets;

 

·       and following this review, make recommendations to improve the cleanliness of Barnet's streets within the budget envelope; and

 

·       Consider developing a timed, alternate side, mechanical cleansing pilot with an appropriate parking initiative.

 

Publication date: 01/02/2019

Date of decision: 29/01/2019

Decided at meeting: 29/01/2019 - Council

Accompanying Documents: