Minute
North Lanarkshire Council · 24 August 2022
Back to Environment and Place Committee — 24 August 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 PLACE - 24 AUGUST 2022 89 24 August 2022 at 2 pm. A Hybrid Meeting of the ENVIRONMENT AND PLACE COMMITTEE PRESENT Councillor Masterton, Convener; Councillor Goldie, Vice-Convener; Councillors Cairns, Carragher, Crichton, Di Mascio, Jarvie, Leckie, Lennon, Linden, Loughran, McBride, M. McCulloch, McDade, McKay, McPhilemy, Nolan, Patton, Reddin, Roarty, A. Stubbs, Wilson and Woods. ALSO PRESENT In accordance with Standing Order 64(a) Councillors Hughes and Smith attended as substitutes for Councillors Mitchell and Thomas respectively. CHAIR Councillor Masterton (Convener) presided. IN ATTENDANCE The Head of Environmental Assets; Head of Asset and Procurement Solutions; Head of Regulatory Services and Waste Solutions, and Democratic Services Manager. APOLOGIES Councillors Mitchell and Thomas. Prior to consideration of business, the Convener indicated that he would be taking agenda item 4 – Developing North Lanarkshire's Journey to Net-Zero Greenhouse Emissions – as the first item of business. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST IN TERMS OF THE ETHICAL STANDARDS IN PUBLIC LIFE ETC. (SCOTLAND) ACT 2000 1. There were none. DEVELOPING NORTH LANARKSHIRE'S JOURNEY TO NET-ZERO GREENHOUSE EMISSIONS 2. There was submitted a report by the Head of Asset and Procurement Solutions (1) reminding the Committee that achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions is a significant task and challenge for the Council which has set its own ambitious timescale for achieving this ahead of the nationally set 2045 date; (2) examining the Council's net-zero progress and journey to date and some of the actions that it is required to achieve and/or facilitate through national policy development and regulation over the next few years, and (3) indicating that the absence of a defined North Lanarkshire pathway to net-zero indicates that there is a gap in the Council's knowledge and expertise and that, therefore, external assistance is required. Decided: (1) that the continuous improvement in climate change governance within the Council be acknowledged;
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ENVIRONMENT AND PLACE - 24 AUGUST 2022 90 (2) that it be acknowledged that other Scottish local authorities face similar challenges to the Council in reaching net-zero by 2030; (3) that the efforts of Services in terms of their current commitment to net-zero be recognised; (4) that it be acknowledged that there are key points in the Council's journey to net-zero pre-determined via legislation and regulation (current and impending); (5) that, whilst acknowledging the excellent progress made to date within existing resources, it also be recognised that there is a need for external assistance to facilitate the next steps of the Council's Climate Change Delivery Programme, and (6) that further updates on progress be provided. BUSINESS REGULATION SERVICE PLAN 2022-2023 3. There was submitted a report by the Head of Regulatory Services and Waste Solutions (1) confirming that all local authority regulators for food and occupational health and safety must plan their enforcement and advisory activities and, in accordance with independent auditor preference, present that plan before a relevant Committee before its approval, and (2) attaching, as an Appendix to the report, the Service Plan 2022-2023. Decided: that the Business Regulation Service Plan 2022-2023 be approved. UPDATE PAPER - ACTIONS TAKEN RELEVANT TO RODENT COMPLAINTS 4. There was submitted a report by the Head of Regulatory Services and Waste Solutions (1) reminding the Committee that, following a motion to the Council on 13 August 2020, it had been agreed to record and analyse all reports of rat sightings made to the Council and to report the data to the relevant Committee at regular intervals; (2) explaining that at its budget meeting of 2 March 2021 the Council awarded an additional £150,000 to Protective Services to treat defined priority areas experiencing high levels of rat infestation; (3) reporting that over the financial year 2022/23 it had been agreed that there would be a continuation of a free rodent control service delivered by the Council's Protective Services Division, and (4) providing an update on the steps that continue to be taken in respect of the action plan which is being devised in order to direct resources to the areas of most significant concern. Decided: that the actions that have, and will continue to be, undertaken to address identified problem areas be supported. CEMETERIES MEMORIAL MANAGEMENT UPDATE 5. There was submitted a report by the Head of Environmental Assets providing an update on memorial management across the authority and outlining proposed improvements to cemetery and structure management. During consideration of this matter, the Committee requested that a report be brought to a future meeting providing an update regarding general cemetery maintenance. Decided: (1) that the progress in making safe known memorial risks be endorsed, and
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ENVIRONMENT AND PLACE - 24 AUGUST 2022 91 (2) that the commencement of a new inspection regime in 2023 to cover all memorials to an agreed timescale, details of which would be brought to Committee in Cycle 1 2023, be endorsed. P002.1(4) TREE ASSET MANAGEMENT AND ASH DIEBACK DISEASE 6. There was submitted a report by the Head of Environmental Assets (1) explaining that inspections which had taken place over the previous 12 months have consolidated the Council's understanding of the risks that are present in the Environmental Assets tree stock and the level of remediation work required to reduce those risks to a tolerable level in line with agreed strategy; (2) highlighting that the strategy covers only trees within Council ownership, which are managed and maintained by Environmental Assets, and Council owned trees adjacent to highways and schools; (3) explaining the known impacts of Ash Dieback Disease, which are fast becoming evident within North Lanarkshire as inspections of tree assets continue; (4) seeking support for the establishment of an Ash Dieback Action Plan to tackle the corporate risk in not remediating these trees appropriately, and (5) setting out the developing plans around placement planting to mitigate against the change in the landscape and loss of what could be a considerable quantity of trees over the course of the next five to ten years. Decided: (1) that the approach to tackling Ash Dieback Disease in North Lanarkshire by initially commissioning a desk-based data investigation exercise to inform an Ash Dieback Action Plan, as recommended in the Ash Dieback Toolkit Scotland, be approved; (2) that the significant ongoing resource required to effectively tackle the corporate risk associated with this endemic disease be recognised and that consideration be given to further budget to allow continued remediation in line with the Tree Risk Assessment Management Strategy, and (3) that the progress of the planting of the climate emergency wood at Strathclyde Country Park in Spring 2022, and the continued work that will take place in Autumn 2022 at Calderbank and Palacerigg Country Park, be endorsed. WINTER SERVICE POLICY AND PROCEDURES 2022/23 7. There was submitted a report by the Head of Environmental Assets (1) presenting the Committee with details of the proposed Winter Service Policy and Procedures for 2022/23; (2) explaining that the Council has an obligation under the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 to take such acts as it considers reasonable to prevent snow and ice endangering safe passage of pedestrians and vehicles over the public roads; (3) indicating that this obligation is discharged by the Council’s Term Maintenance Contract with its partner, Amey Public Services (APS), and (4) advising that, to ensure that these obligations are met, the Council is required to annually review its processes and procedures and approve an annual refresh of its policy. Councillor Loughran, seconded by Councillor McPhilemy, moved, as an Amendment:- “In reference to paragraph 2.13 The number of salt bins provided across the network has continued to grow from 760 (2010 to 2793 including 24 within recycling centres). • the Council acknowledges this presents a significant challenge across the network to effectively service, both in anticipation and during adverse weather conditions. In reference to paragraph 2.15
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ENVIRONMENT AND PLACE - 24 AUGUST 2022 92 • an analysis of salt bin provision should be carried out, to identify high priority salt bins within the Service; • the Council recommends a Working Group be tasked to evaluate and maximise both Service and community resilience, in anticipation and during adverse weather conditions; • all conclusions of the Working Group be returned to a later cycle of Environment and Place Committee for consideration.” Thereon, the Convener indicated that he was content that the Amendment be incorporated into the terms of the report. Decided: (1) that the contents of the report and accompanying Appendix be noted; (2) that the proposed Winter Service Policy and Procedures 2022/23, as the base for Winter Service Delivery in the coming year, be agreed; (3) that the pilot scheme that will look at route-based forecasting, which would inform future policy decisions, be approved; (4) that the intervention level be amended in line with adjacent local authorities and implemented as part of the Enterprise Contract which will commence in June 2024; (5) that it be acknowledged that the growth in the number of salt bins being provided across the network presents a significant challenge to effectively service, both in anticipation and during, adverse weather conditions; (6) that an analysis of salt bin provision be carried out to identify high priority salt bins by the Service; (7) that a Working Group be tasked to evaluate and maximise both service and community resilience, in anticipation of, and during, adverse weather conditions, and (8) that all conclusions of the Working Group be reported to a future Committee for consideration. DUMBRECK MARSH AND GARREL BURN RIVER RESTORATION 8. There was submitted a report by the Head of Environmental Assets (1) providing a summary of the successful river restoration project completed on the Garrel Burn at Dumbreck Marsh, Kilsyth; (2) explaining that the project aimed to improve habitats across the site and to also provide improved public access and flood resilience and was delivered in partnership with the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency; (3) reporting that the project had been completed successfully in April 2022 with contract costs being significantly higher than anticipated due to environmental complexity and design constraints, however, the additional spend was largely met by additional external funding from Water Environment Scotland and the Scottish Government. Decided: (1) that the successful delivery of this major project, bringing significant environmental benefits to North Lanarkshire, be recognised; (2) that the partnership working with the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency, bringing additional benefits to the Council, be recognised, and
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ENVIRONMENT AND PLACE - 24 AUGUST 2022 93 (3) that the additional costs incurred in the contract due to the complex nature of the project be acknowledged. CONTRACT AWARD FOR THE PROVISION OF WASTE MANAGEMENT AND RECYCLING SERVICES FOR BULKY WASTE 9. There was submitted a report by the Head of Regulatory Services and Waste Solutions seeking approval of the award of a contract for the provision of Waste Management and Recycling Services for bulky waste to Dow Group Limited. Decided: that the award of the contract to Dow Group Limited at the maximum value of £6,100,918, exclusive of VAT, be approved. CONTRACT AWARD FOR THE TREATMENT AND DISPOSAL OF KERBSIDE COLLECTED CO-MINGLED FOOD AND GARDEN WASTE 10. There was submitted a report by the Head of Regulatory Services and Waste Solutions seeking approval of the award of a contract for the provision of Treatment and Disposal of kerbside collected co-mingled food and garden waste to Levenseat Limited. Decided: that the award of the contract to Levenseat Limited at the maximum value of £8,550,000, exclusive of VAT, be approved. CONTRACT AWARD FOR SUPPLY AND FIT FOR VEHICLES AND PLANT 11. There was submitted a report by the Head of Regulatory Services and Waste Solutions seeking approval of the award of a contract for the supply and fit of tyres for vehicles and plant including associated services to McConechys Tyre Service Limited. Decided: that the award of the contract to McConechys Tyre Service Limited at the maximum value of £960,000, exclusive of VAT, be approved. CONTRACT AWARD FOR THE PROVISION OF LANDFILL CONSULTANCY SERVICES 12. There was submitted a report by the Head of Regulatory Services and Waste Solutions seeking approval for the award of a contract for the provision of Landfill Consultancy Services to RPS Consulting Services Limited. Decided: that the award of the contract to RPS Consulting Services Limited at the maximum value of £900,000 be approved. CONTRACT AWARD FOR TREATMENT AND DISPOSAL OF RESIDUAL WASTE FROM HOUSEHOLD WASTE RECYCLING CENTRES 13. There was submitted a report by the Head of Regulatory Services and Waste Solutions advising the Committee of the decision taken, in accordance with Condition 21.3.2 of the Council’s General Contract Standing Orders, for the award of a contract, split across two lots, for the treatment and disposal of residual waste from household waste recycling centres, on 14 March 2022 to Patersons of Greenoakhill Limited for a value not exceeding £18,000,000, exclusive of VAT.
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ENVIRONMENT AND PLACE - 24 AUGUST 2022 94 Decided: that the award of the contract in accordance with General Contract Standing Orders to Patersons of Greenoakhill Limited for both Lot 1 and 2 at the maximum value of £18,000,000, exclusive of VAT, be acknowledged. CONTRACT AWARD FOR THE DESIGN AND BUILD OF NEW BELLSHILL WASTE AND FLEET DEPOT 14. There was submitted a report by the Head of Regulatory Services and Waste Solutions advising the Committee of the decision taken in accordance with Condition 21.3.2 of the Council’s General Contract Standing Orders for the award of the contract for the design and build of a new Bellshill waste and fleet depot to Tilbury Douglas Construction Limited for a value of £5,320,440.50, exclusive of VAT. Decided: that the award of the contract to Tilbury Douglas Construction Limited at the value of £5,320,440.50, exclusive of VAT, be acknowledged. CONTRACT AWARD FOR THE PROVISION OF LICENCE, SUPPORT AND MAINTENANCE FOR CIVICA IT SOLUTION 2022 - 23 15. There was submitted a report by the Head of Regulatory Services and Waste Solutions advising the Committee of the decision taken in accordance with Condition 21.3.2 of the Council’s General Contract Standing Orders for the award of a contract for the provision of licence, support and maintenance for Civica IT Solution 2022-23 to Civica UK Limited for a maximum value of £107,996.84, exclusive of VAT. Decided: that the award of the contract to Civica UK Limited, at the maximum value of £107,996.84, exclusive of VAT, be acknowledged. CONTRACTS AWARDED BELOW COMMITTEE APPROVAL THRESHOLD 16. There was submitted a report by the Head of Asset and Procurement Solutions notifying the Committee of the contracts awarded between 1 January to 30 June 2022 with a value below the financial threshold requiring committee approval. Decided: that the contracts awarded below committee approval threshold between 1 January to 30 June 2022, as per the process within the Council’s General Contract Standing Orders, be noted. VALEDICTORY 17. The Convener indicated that this would be N. Paterson’s last meeting of the Committee as she was leaving the Council, and proceeded to, on behalf of the Committee, thank her for her support and hard work.