Agenda item

The Portfolio Holder is recommended to approve the attached Health & Environmental Services 2010/11 to 2012/13 service plan. 

The Environmental Services Portfolio Holder

APPROVED            Health & Environmental Services 2010/11 to 2012/13 Service Plan.

The Corporate Manager for Health and Environmental Services presented this report on the Service Plan 2010/11 for Health & Environmental Services. It was noted that the draft Service Plan had been reviewed at the last meeting. The main difference between this and the final plan was the addition of the budget figures.

It was noted that the fourth word on page 7 of the agenda should be “compliant”.

National enforcement priorities

The Corporate Manager for Health and Environmental Services expressed concern over the number of Full-Time Equivalent staff hours allocated to the area of Health & Safety, but could not advise taking staff from other areas to address this challenge.

Housing legislation changes regarding Caravan Site Licensing

The Corporate Manager for Health and Environmental Services explained that this was to ensure the health and well-being of caravan site residents and visitors, particularly with regard to fire safety. It was noted that the transience of residents on these sites made this initiative more challenging. He expressed concern regarding conditions on certain specific sites and had initiated a project to address these.

The Pitt Review and Floods and Water Management Bill

The Corporate Manager for Health and Environmental Services explained that there was no Council policy on Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDs), which meant dealing with issues on a case by case basis. It was noted that it was possible that in future the County Council would ask this authority to carry out work on its behalf.

Collection and kennelling of stray dogs

The Corporate Manager, Health and Environmental Services explained that Wood Green Animal Shelter (WGAS), who received stray dogs collected in the District, had increased their fees after maintaining charges at the same level for 10 years. Following negotiation the proposed increase had been reduced from over 100% to 50% and a telephone advice service for owners of dogs with behavioural problems would also be provided.

Cambridgeshire Police had announced that they would no longer receive stray dogs at Parkside Police Station from members of the public with effect from 1 April 2010. The authority had therefore arranged alternative facilities in Wilburton where members of the public could deliver stray dogs outside of office hours. Dogs would then be delivered to WGAS. There would be an annual charge to the Council for this facility. It was noted that the post of Dog Warden had been made redundant after the Council was capped and so the 40-50 seized stray dogs a year were picked up by Health & Environmental Services staff in addition to their normal duties. If the Government’s recent proposals regarding microchipping and compulsory third party insurance resulted in new legislation it would be appropriate to review the dog service, including reconsideration of the Dog Warden post.

Making Cambridgeshire Count

It was noted that the Council might be engaging in specific initiatives arising from this process that could have implications for the service, such as the possibility of entering into shared services with other local authorities.

Reduction in CO² emissions

The Corporate Manager, Health and Environmental Services explained that the refuse and recycling service reconfiguration would lead to reductions in CO² emissions.

Improve conditions of migratory workers

It was noted that the Council did not have reliable data on the number of migratory workers residing in the district, which made this objective particularly challenging.

The Environmental Services Portfolio Holder praised the efforts by officers to ensure that high levels of service had been maintained whilst freezing expenditure at the levels of 2007/08.

The Environmental Services Portfolio Holder

APPROVED            Health & Environmental Services 2010/11 to 2012/13 Service Plan.