Minute
North Lanarkshire Council · 9 November 2022
Back to Environment and Climate Change Committee — 9 November 2022 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE CHANGE - 9 NOVEMBER 2022 43 9 November 2022 at 2 pm. A Meeting of the ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE CHANGE COMMITTEE PRESENT Councillor Loughran, Convener; Councillor McPhilemy, Vice-Convener; Councillors Carragher, Di Mascio, Goldie, Leckie, Lennon, Linden, Masterton, McBride, M. McCulloch, McDade, McKay, Mitchell, Nolan, Patton, Roarty, A. Stubbs, Williams, Wilson and Woods. ALSO PRESENT In accordance with Standing Order 64(A) Councillors Robb, Hughes and Smith attended as substitutes for Councillors Crichton, Jarvie and Thomas respectively. CHAIR Councillor Loughran (Convener) presided. IN ATTENDANCE The Head of Regulatory Services and Waste Solutions; Green Space and Country Park Manager and Democratic Services Manager. APOLOGIES Councillors Crichton, Jarvie, Reddin and Thomas. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST IN TERMS OF THE ETHICAL STANDARDS IN PUBLIC LIFE ETC. (SCOTLAND) ACT 2000 1. There were none. BUTTON BATTERY AWARENESS PLEDGE 2. There was submitted a report by the Head of Regulatory Services and Waste Solutions (1) explaining that over the course of the previous 18 months, two young children within the UK had died after swallowing a button or coin battery; (2) indicating that many more children have suffered life changing injuries for the same reason, and (3) seeking approval for the Council, as an organisation committed to public protection, to become a signatory to the Button Battery Awareness pledge. Decided: that the Council be a signatory to the Button Battery Awareness pledge. CLYDE CLIMATE FOREST REGIONAL CONCORDAT 3. There was submitted a report by the Head of Regulatory Services and Waste Solutions (1) providing background on the Clyde Climate Forest Programme; (2) outlining the vision for the programme and detailing the steps taken to date by the Council to contribute to the regional initiative, and (3) outlining the commitment for the longer term vision requested of the Council.
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ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE CHANGE - 9 NOVEMBER 2022 44 Decided: (1) that the Council's initial engagement with Clyde Climate Forest be endorsed, and (2) that the Council become a signatory to the Clyde Climate Forest Regional Concordat. CHARGES FOR ATTESTATIONS FOR EXPORTS FOLLOWING EU EXIT 4. There was submitted a report by the Head of Regulatory Services and Waste Solutions (1) seeking approval for the introduction of charges for Support Attestations provided to Food Business Operators to facilitate the export of products of animal origin to the European Union and movements to Northern Ireland under the Northern Ireland protocol; (2) explaining that, in North Lanarkshire, this process currently pertains only to businesses exporting fish and shellfish; (3) advising that from 1 January 2020 until 31 March 2022, local authorities had been able to recover the charge of £100 per Support Attestation from Food Standards Scotland; (4) detailing that, effective from 1 April 2022, Food Standards Scotland was no longer paying local authorities for Attestations; (5) highlighting that the direction is now that local authorities should recover the costs associated with providing Attestation from the exporting businesses directly, and (6) intimating that the Council intends to introduce the charge of £100 per Support Attestation recoverable direct from the exporting business(es) concerned. Decided: that the introduction of a £100 charge for each Support Attestation under Regulation (EU) 2017/625 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 March 2017 on official controls and other official activities performed to ensure the application of food and feed law (which is being elected as domestic UK legislation in order that businesses can continue to trade with the EU) be approved. ELECTRICAL VEHICLE (EV) INFRASTRUCTURE PROPOSED TARIFFS 5. There was submitted a report by the Head of Regulatory Services and Waste Solutions (1) providing an update on the status of the Electrical Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Network and the proposed introduction of tariffs; (2) informing the Committee that the Electrical Vehicle Infrastructure Fund (EVIF) has replaced the Local Authority Installation Programme (LAIP) and is an annual funding programme which further develops EV charging networks so that EV drivers can confidently travel throughout Scotland, and is funded by the Scottish Government and administered by Transport Scotland; (3) providing details of the number of EV charging points across North Lanarkshire; (4) explaining that, during the early phases of implementation of EV charging points, there had been an expectation by Transport Scotland that there would be no tariffs for users of the EV chargers, however, the significant increase in electricity costs between 2020/21 and 2021/22, together with the ongoing maintenance costs associated with charging points, will create an unsustainable pressure on Council budgets where proposed electricity costs for 2022/23 are estimated to be in the region of £852,000 and it is expected that, should the rise in electric vehicle usage continue, these costs will very quickly run into tens of millions of pounds; (5) intimating that the aim of the tariff model is to move towards a point where the growing EV network and infrastructure is financially sustainable and, as a minimum, covers the cost of the charging opportunity provided to the users of EVs; (6) explaining that three main options for tariffs for EV charging points have been identified namely Option A – Fixed Rate: a single rate is applied regardless of the amount of electricity consumed; Option B – Costs Only: customers are charged a rate based on the number of units of electricity consumed, which could have a minimum charge and encompass all costs, and Option C – Fixed Rate Plus Costs: a fixed rate is applied to use the charge point and customers are also charged per unit of electricity consumed; (7) recommending that Option B offers the most equitable and flexible charging model for the user and the Council; (8) advising that, should the introduction of tariffs be approved by the Committee it would be the intention to commence charging on 1 January 2023 and tariffs would be set at that time by the Head of Regulatory Services and Waste Solutions, and (9) outlining proposals in regards to the regulation of bays including the requirement for the introduction of a Traffic Regulation Order to limit the time permitted to stay in a charging bay and to include an overstay fee in the tariff.
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ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE CHANGE - 9 NOVEMBER 2022 45 Decided: (1) that the information contained in the report relating to the current and future costs, assumptions and plans associated with operating public electrical vehicle (EV) charging points, including future commercial opportunities, be approved; (2) that the introduction of tariffs for the use of Council EV charging points from 1 January 2023 be approved; (3) that this tariff be set in accordance with the principles outlined in the report and would be regularly reviewed thereafter to ensure that the tariff is in line with market fluctuations and realistically tracks costs being incurred, and (4) that the introduction of a restricted time period for the use of charging points, to be enforced through a relevant Traffic Regulation Order, be approved. ILLEGAL SIGNAGE AND ATTACHMENTS TO STREET FURNITURE 6. There was submitted a report by the Head of Regulatory Services and Waste Solutions (1) seeking approval of an amended policy which seeks to introduce a more proactive and efficient procedure to address illegal signs, and to introduce a policy regarding the attaching of fixings including bunting, signs, hanging baskets etc., to ensure industry standards structural assessments are undertaken to ensure the stability of the asset and to safeguard public safety; (2) advising that, in the main, signs, flags, bunting and for sale boards are erected without consent from the Council and this constitutes an offence under Sections 59 and 100 of the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 and that, in 2007, the former Planning and Transportation Committee had approved procedures for illegal signage to be removed by Environmental Health through their Environmental Protection Officers, and, since then, the structure of the Service has significantly changed, and (3) outlining the proposals in relation to the removal of illegal signage and attachments to street furniture. Decided: (1) that any illegal signs and fixtures on street furniture be removed by local teams or contractors appointed on behalf of the Council and disposed of immediately; (2) that signs and other fixtures not be permitted on street furniture or lighting columns unless a robust design check is undertaken to ensure their stability and to safeguard public safety, and (3) that all costs associated with such requests be met by the applicant. LITTER BIN STRATEGY 7. There was submitted a report by the Head of Regulatory Services and Waste Solutions (1) advising the Committee of the outcome of the litter bin consultation as required by a motion agreed by the Council at its meeting on 7 October 2021 and seeking approval of the new strategy that would enable modernisation of the Service and see a consistent approach to the litter bin provision across North Lanarkshire; (2) providing information on the number of bins across the Council and the associated costs of servicing those; (3) reminding the Committee that at the Council meeting on 7 October 2021 a motion was agreed namely "that this Council instructs Environmental Assets to carry out a review of the sites and emptying schedule of the new waste bins. This review would include a consultation with the Community Boards and other community groups through the existing NLC corporate communication network. The aim of the review would be to establish whether the current sites are the most appropriate to facilitate the needs of residents for the disposal of litter and dog waste. The results of this review would be brought back in a future report to a future Environment and Transportation Committee"; (4) highlighting that the Service undertook an exercise to review all street bins across the C
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ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE CHANGE - 9 NOVEMBER 2022 46 Council and that this review was based on criteria developed and updated as part of a draft strategy that was constructed in 2015 following market research but had not been implemented at the time; (5) providing details of the proposed Litter Bin Strategy, highlighting that it would not be possible to provide bins in every street, therefore they would be focussed on considered locations and identified hotspots, as detailed within the report; (6) providing a narrative on how the Service responds in respect of those bins which require more frequent servicing and also on the introduction of sensor technology which would be considered upon completion of the full roll-out of the new bins; (7) outlining the details of the consultation and providing a summary of the outcome from that exercise; (8) explaining the different types of litter bins that it is proposed be installed, together with details of proposed locations, and (9) informing the Committee of additional initiatives in relation to grassed areas to be used for dog walking, maintenance and servicing and the introduction of technology. Councillor Masterton, seconded by Councillor Goldie, moved as an Amendment:- "Add an additional recommendation: Agree to bring a report back to the Environment and Climate Change Committee within the next year to update Committee, and consider any improvements required to the Litter Bin Strategy, as a result of the roll-out of the strategy across the remainder of North Lanarkshire and the recommended changes to the current system." Councillor Wilson, seconded by Councillor Nolan, moved, as an Amendment that the terms of the report be approved on the condition that the proposed reduction in bin capacity remain at 20% and not extended to 40%, in line with the 2019 Council budget decision. Following consideration of both Amendments by the Committee, it was agreed that they be incorporated within the recommendations in the report. Arising out of discussion, the Head of Regulatory Services and Waste Solutions confirmed that he would inform Members of the Committee of the reason for the proposed increased reduction of bin capacity from 20% to 40%, and also provide further detail on any additional savings implications. Decided: (1) that the outcome of the public consultation exercise be acknowledged; (2) that the introduction of the Litter Bin Strategy be approved; (3) that the installation of new bins across of North Lanarkshire and the removal of the existing small capacity bins, where appropriate, be approved; (4) that a report be brought back within the next year to update the Committee, and to consider any improvements required to the Litter Bin Strategy as a result of the roll-out across North Lanarkshire and the recommended changes to the current system, and (5) that any reduction in the capacity of bins be restricted to 20%, and not be extended to 40%. LIGHTING UP PARKS APPRAISAL 8. There was submitted a report by the Head of Regulatory Services and Waste Solutions (1) advising that the report had been produced in response to a motion agreed by Council in March 2022 which had requested a report on lighting solutions in all Council parks; (2) summarising the existing lighting provision in parks, including the recent programme of renewable lighting improvements, and (3) providing information on the options appraisal which involved the recent programme and providing a basis for any further investment.
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ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE CHANGE - 9 NOVEMBER 2022 47 Decided: (1) that the progress made in providing sustainable lighting within North Lanarkshire's parks and green spaces on key routes over the previous two years be acknowledged; (2) that, in general terms, it be acknowledged that the provision of solar lighting is the most appropriate choice for lighting paths within the Council's parks and green spaces where appropriate, and (3) that the intention to continue to implement sensitive and sustainable lighting solutions on a project by project basis, as resources allow, be supported. RESILIENCE PLANNING AND BUSINESS CONTINUITY UPDATE 9. There was submitted a report by the Head of Regulatory Services and Waste Solutions (1) reminding the Committee that the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 and the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 (Contingency Planning) (Scotland) Regulations 2005 define local authorities as Category 1 Responders and, as such, the Council is required to fulfil the statutory obligations in respect of contingency planning and business continuity; (2) reporting that the overall resilience and business continuity arrangements were extensively tested throughout the Council's response to the Covid pandemic and that, in summary, the maintenance of all critical services throughout the period of the pandemic demonstrated the robustness and depth of the resilience and business continuity arrangements in place; (3) summarising the outcome of the response by the Council to the pandemic; (4) advising that, to compliment the ongoing review process, the Council's Internal Audit Team also undertook a review of the current corporate resilience arrangements and issued a report with their findings in July 2022 and that, although the report concluded that there existed a "reasonable assurance" that effective business continuity resilience planning measures were in place, several improvement actions were also identified and agreed by the Service; (5) informing the Committee that an action plan had now been agreed which would deliver on all the recommendations detailed within the Internal Audit report and which also includes a review of the existing guidance document to provide further clarity to Services, leading to improvements in the overall quality and robustness for individual business continuity plans, and (6) providing an overview of the staffing arrangements in relation to the Council's Resilience Development Team. Decided: that the ongoing improvements to the Council's business continuity and resilience planning arrangements be supported. RATIONALISATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF WASTE AND FLEET SERVICE ASSETS - PROGRAMME OF WORK 2.1 10. There was submitted a report by the Head of Regulatory Services and Waste Solutions (1) providing an update on the proposals within the Waste and Fleet Service to maximise the use of the Council's assets in line with the Council's Programme of Work No. 2.1; (2) summarising proposals to move towards an electric/low emission fleet for the Council; (3) outlining the Council's rationalisation programme for the waste service; (4) informing the Committee that, although discussions were still at an outline planning stage, it was the intention that the Bellshill eco park site would go live in Spring/Summer of 2024 and that further updates on this project would be provided to the Committee at future dates; (5) advising that the Waste Service has applied for, and was granted, full planning permission for a material recovery facility for the hardstanding area at the former Dalmacoulter Landfill Site, although it should be noted that this does not involve the treatment of any waste but simply the sorting and bulking of waste which is then sent for treatment at another plant; (6) indicating that the intention was that the Council would enter into a longterm lease with a private contractor who would design, build and finance the material recovery facility on the site, however, over the period of the planning application, the complexities involved brought into question the value of any such longterm contract being sustainable and that, in light of this, a business case exercise was now commencing to
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ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE CHANGE - 9 NOVEMBER 2022 48 determine what the best option for the site would be with three options being considered namely (a) design, build, finance and operate by a private contractor; (b) design, build, finance and operate by the Council, and (c) that the land be marketed with accompanying planning permission to deliver a capital receipt for the Council, and the intention being to provide a business case by May 2023 with an outcome from that to be reported to the Committee; (7) providing an update on a proposal to locate the entire Waste and Fleet Service at the Bellshill complex and reporting that, after reviewing the two Services, it was further decided that basing several refuse collection vehicles and Additional Support Needs (ASN) school buses within the northern half of the Council area would deliver a more efficient operation and that this has now been delivered with the appropriate supporting welfare facilities located within the Wardpark facility; (8) advising that planning consent had now been obtained to operate the facility as a waste transfer station to allow the bulking of waste collected within the north area of the authority and to reduce the number of vehicle movements to disposal outlets, and that work would now commence in line with the business case for the Dalmacoulter facility to determine how best to proceed with the development; (9) reporting that the Council was now engaging the services of a private consultant to determine the viability of the footprint of the closed landfill areas at Dalmacoulter and Auchinlea as potential solar farms with further information to be provided in the form of an update report to the Committee around May 2023; (10) outlining proposals in relation to the decarbonisation of the Council's fleet and the corresponding requirement for an appropriate infrastructure across all depot and office facilities to ensure sufficient power and charging points are available; (11) detailing the number of charging points across the Council area together with their location and noting that these charging facilities are for the exclusive use of Council vehicles; (12) indicating that the Council now has a vehicle replacement programme in place for all light commercial vehicles which will see a graduated approach to an entire electric/low emission fleet by 2027/2028, and (13) advising that, in line with the digital transformation of the Service, it will now move to a complete online service for trade waste. Decided: (1) that the ongoing proposals for the Bellshill Waste and Fleet complex be supported; (2) that the work associated with the introduction of an eco park within the Bellshill complex be supported; (3) that the actions now being taken across the Dalmacoulter, Auchinlea and Wardpark facilities be endorsed; (4) that the progress and actions proposed to allow the decarbonisation of the Council fleet be supported, and (5) that the move of the trade waste service to a fully digital registration process be supported. POW P025.1(2) UPDATE: USING GREEN SPACE TO IMPROVE HEALTH, WELLBEING AND SOCIAL OUTCOMES 11. There was submitted a report by the Head of Regulatory Services and Waste Solutions (1) highlighting work undertaken in the previous 12 months to improve health and wellbeing activity in green spaces, a key outcome for this element of the Programme of Work; (2) reporting that, utilising Scottish Government Nature Recovery and Smarter Choices Smarter Places funding, and one-off funds awarded to improve sustainability in parks, the Community Green Space and Green Space Projects continued to deliver more accessible and, more biodiverse spaces for the residents of North Lanarkshire, and beyond, to enjoy; (3) outlining work that has been achieved through the additional temporary staff resource, including the biodiversity enhancements of sites and large-scale public engagement projects, and (4) providing detail on upcoming projects to enhance the local green spaces of North Lanarkshire.
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ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE CHANGE - 9 NOVEMBER 2022 49 Decided: (1) that the continued significant effort to improve health, wellbeing and social outcomes through effective use of the Council's green space be acknowledged; (2) that it be recognised that the planned investment this year across a range of engagement exercises, including participatory budgeting, and research into changing behaviours around active travel, together with the delivery of further projects which will contribute to tackling the twin crises of biodiversity loss and climate change through investing in the Council's green spaces, and (3) that the impact that these interventions can have on addressing inequalities in accessing green space be recognised. AMEY PUBLIC SERVICES LLP: OPERATIONAL AND FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE MONITORING REPORT FOR 1 OCTOBER 2021 TO 30 SEPTEMBER 2022 AND FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE TO 31 JULY 2022 12. There was submitted a report by the Head of Regulatory Services and Waste Solutions outlining Amey Public Services (APS) Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) performance against its business objectives and Council priorities for the period from October 2021 to September 2022 and its financial performance as at 31 July 2022. Decided: (1) that APS LLP’s operational performance up to 30 September 2022, along with service delivery highlights over the previous 12 months, be acknowledged, and (2) that APS LLP’s financial performance as at 31 July 2022 be acknowledged. CONTRACT AWARD FOR SUPPLY AND DELIVERY OF HOUSEHOLD WASTE BINS 13. There was submitted a report by the Head of Regulatory Services and Waste Solutions seeking approval for the award of a contract for supply and delivery of household waste bins to SSI Schaefer Limited for an initial period of 36 months to commence on 28 November 2022 and not to exceed a contract value of £1,500,000. Decided: that the award of the contract for the supply and delivery of household waste bins to SSI Schaefer Limited to the maximum value of £1,500,000 exclusive of VAT be approved. PROCUREMENT OF THE PROVISION OF THE RECYCLING AND TREATMENT OF KERBSIDE COLLECTED GLASS, METAL AND PLASTICS 14. There was submitted a report by the Head of Regulatory Services and Waste Solutions (1) notifying the Committee of action taken by him in terms of a variation/modification to the current contract for the recycling and treatment of glass, metal and plastics which was undertaken in accordance with Regulation 72 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015 to extend the original tendered term of the contract to allow the re-procurement process to be undertaken, and (2) seeking approval for the award of a new contract for the recycling and treatment of kerbside collected glass, metal and plastics to Levenseat Limited for an initial period of 36 months anticipated to commence on 16 January 2023 and advising that it was estimated that the contract would generate an income to the Council of approximately £1,833,544.38.
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ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE CHANGE - 9 NOVEMBER 2022 50 Decided: (1) that the decision taken by the Head of Regulatory Services and Waste Solutions to apply a modification to the current contract be acknowledged, and (2) the award of the new contract to Levenseat Limited, with the contract generating approximately £1,833,544.38 of income over the five year period, be approved. CONTRACTS AWARDED BELOW COMMITTEE APPROVAL THRESHOLD 15. There was submitted a report by the Head of Asset and Procurement Solutions notifying the Committee of contracts awarded between 1 July to 30 September 2022 with a value below the financial threshold requiring Committee approval. Decided: that the contracts awarded below Committee approval threshold between 1 July and 30 September 2022, as per the process within the Council’s General Contract Standing Orders, be noted.