The report covered three areas within the Street Scene Department:

-       Fly-tipping on Byways

-       Little Warley Car Park (also known as Childerditch Common)

-       Investment in Front Line Services to assist with the clearing of Fly-tips and an update on the Neighbourhood Action Team

Fly-tipping on Byways

There had been ongoing issues with fly tipping on byways which were proving expensive to deal with as well as being detrimental to the local environment. 

It was therefore suggested as a trial that the byway (Horsemanside to Murthering Lane) had a temporary Traffic Regulation Order raised.  The effect would be to limit access to specific users. 

Little Warley Car Park (also known as Childerditch Common)

Officers received a representation from Little Warley & Childerditch Village Hall Association with regard to the permanent closure of the car park at Little Warley Common (also known as Childerditch Common).  The reason for the request was outlined in more detail within Section 3 of the report where the recommendations outlined that officers consult statutory bodies to obtain their views on such a closure.  

Investment in Front Line Services to help with Fly-tips and an update on the Neighbourhood Action Team

The front line investment of £80K would allow for an opportunity to support the NATs to work on requests from Members within their wards on a 15 week rota system.  Three new staff would be deployed to undertake predominately the clearing of fly tips alongside the investment of new equipment such as a JCB to assist with the larger fly-tips ourselves rather than use contractors.  It would be noted that any hazardous fly-tips would still need to be removed by specialist contractors. 

Termination of Meeting

During the preceding item, in accordance with Rule 28 of Part 4.1. – Council Procedure Rules, the business of the meeting not having concluded by two hours after its start, Members voted to agree to continue with the meeting for a further 30 minutes.

Cllr Hossack MOVED and Cllr Poppy SECONDED the recommendations in the report and a vote was taken by a show of hands and it was RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY that:

1.    The Committee agreed to the Chief Executive writing to the ECC Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport requesting consideration for a temporary Traffic Regulation Order for the Byway Horsemanside to Murthering Lane.

2.    The Committee agreed to instruct officers to undertake a consultation exercise with identified public bodies (to be determined) to ascertain feedback on the requested closure of the car park at Little Warley Common (also known as Childerditch Common) and to report back to a future committee.

3.    Members noted the arrangements for the Neighbourhood Action Team going forward from 3^rd April 2017 and actively participate in submitting tasks for the Neighbourhood Action Teams. 

Reason for recommendations

Fly-tipping in byways – the expense and difficulty in removing fly-tips was high and as such urgent measures were required to address the issue going forward.

Little Warley Car Park – reason for the recommendation was to allow Officers to obtain further comments from other public bodies associated with the site and to report the findings to a future committee for a final decision. 

Investment into front line services to assist with clearing fly-tips including larger fly-tips, hence to allow Neighbourhood Action Team to work on the Members rota system within the wards.