P.I. Ref LPI 16
Third Quarter 2002/03 Comparator Action Plan
Performance Indicator Action Plan Date: 29/01/03
Comments on Current Performance:The monitoring returns for the 3rd quarter 2002/03 show a slight drop in performance of 2%. Such a small drop does not cause the Directorate too many concerns as this period covers the Autumn months where leaf fall, which is classed as litter under the EPA 1990 as a significant negative effect on the monitoring scores recorded. A programme of leaf clearance is carried out through this period and this usually takes about 6 weeks to complete. On a more positive note, it should be noted that in comparison to the same period 2001/02 there has been a 1% increase in performance. However, the Directorate in light of this decline in standards will be ensuring that closer scrutiny is carried out on the service to prevent any further decline in standards and quality.
Barriers to Improvement:
The Directorate is constantly striving to improve street cleansing levels by improving street sweeping techniques (i.e. increased mechanisation), which has increased the frequency of sweeps across the city. The only barriers to this aim is the availability of funding to purchase more mechanised sweepers.
Current/Proposed Action:
New funding has been acquired through New Deal for Communities and SRB, which will allow higher levels of cleansing in areas with known street cleanliness problems. It is mostly in these areas where streets which do not meet high or acceptable levels of cleanliness are found. With the introduction of area specific mini-mechanical sweeping machines, better levels of cleanliness should be achieved with a resultant improvement in the City’s overall cleanliness score. In relation to preventing littering, Salford Pride, the Charter Mark accredited environmental education unit, is constantly carrying out innovative anti-litter, anti graffiti and general environmental awareness raising campaigns, both at schools and at community levels.
The Directorate has also become involved in a Government initiative known as the Local Environmental Quality Pathfinder Programme (LEQPP), whereby it has been chosen as one of only four local authorities to develop best practice guidelines to address issues such as preventing fly-tipping, improving trackside cleanliness, resolving the problem of pigeons fouling under railway bridges etc. This involvement was at the behest of EnCams (formerly Tidy Britain Group) in recognition of previous work with Railtrack in trying to address these very issues. Links with EnCams are also developing an approach to an enforcement programme in dealing with the anti-social practice of littering and fly-tipping, and in addition links were having made with the City’s Neighbourhood Wardens to investigate their ability to enforce on-the-spot fines for littering. Finally the planned increase in litter bins across the City has been achieved, partly through sponsorship deal and a partnerships approach with GMPTE which has allowed over 100 additional litter bins to be sited during 2001/02, with a further 250 planned for 2002/03.
Top Quartile to be Achieved By (Date):
2003 / Lead Officer:
Malcolm Thorpe
Assistant Director (Contract Services)
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