Health and Environmental Services Committee 8 August 2005

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E95

Health and Environmental Services Committee

Monday, 8th August, 2005

Contents

MEETING OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES COMMITTEE

Members present: Councillor Adamson (Deputy Chairman) (in the Chair); the High Sheriff (Councillor D. Browne); and Councillors Campbell, Jones, Kelly, Kirkpatrick, McCann, McClenaghan, McCoubrey, McMillen, Mhic Giolla Mhín, Mullaghan, O’Neill and Patterson.

In attendance:

Apologies

Apologies for inability to attend were reported from the Chairman (Councillor O’Reilly) and Councillors Cunningham, Cush, Hanna and McMillen.

Minutes

The minutes of the meetings of 6th and 21st June, which had been printed and circulated, were taken as read and signed as correct. It was reported that those minutes had been adopted by the Council at its meeting on 4th July.

Directorate

Proposed Programme of Site Visits

The Committee was reminded that, at its meeting on 6th June, the Director of Health and Environmental Services had undertaken to develop a programme of visits which would enable Members to view, first hand, the work of the Department’s various sections. Accordingly, the Director indicated that each of the Services within the Department had identified certain aspects of their operations which might prove interesting and informative for the Members. These included visits whereby Members could view first hand a number of issues which were facing the Cleansing Section, visits to the Landfill Site, Household Recycling Centres, the Port of Belfast and visits to the Emergency Planning Room within the City Hall and to various projects being undertaken currently by the Community Safety Section. He stated also that it would be possible for an office-based presentation, in conjunction with a site visit, to be undertaken to view the various projects within the Building Control Section.

Several Members expressed the view that it would be beneficial for early notification of the visits to be given, in order to allow Members to attend as many of the visits as possible. The Members also stated that the most appropriate time for the visits to be held would be in the morning, with each visit concluding with discussions over lunch.

After further discussion, the Committee agreed that a programme of site visits, to enable Members to view at first hand the work of the various Sections within the Department, be organised over a three month period on dates to be agreed in conjunction with the Chairman. The Committee agreed further that the visits would be held in the morning with discussions over lunch. The Director undertook to submit a timetable for the programme of visits to the Committee as soon as possible.

Review of Public Administration Further Consultation

The Director informed the Committee that, on 22nd March, the Government had published the “Review of Public Administration: Further Consultation” document which set out proposals for major reforms of Northern Ireland’s Public Administration. The consultation document had contained proposals for the future of the Health and Education Sectors and further options in respect of the future of Local Government. He pointed out that all Council Departments had been asked to consider the Consultation Document in terms of the issues which would impact upon their responsibilities in order to allow for the development of a comprehensive Council response by the 30th September deadline. Accordingly, the Director recommended that a special meeting be held at 12.30 p.m. on 22nd August in order to consider the consultation document and the issues of specific interest to the Committee.

The Committee adopted the recommendation of the Director in this regard.

Quarterly Return of Sickness Absence

The Director submitted a report, copies of which had previously been circulated, on the Quarterly Return of Sickness Absence for the Department for the period from April till June, 2005. He referred to the figures contained within the report, which indicated that the average number of days’ absence per person for the quarter had been 3.07, compared to 2.02 in the previous quarter, and 3.05 days for the same period in 2004. He stated that long-term sickness accounted for 1,367 days out of a total absence of 2,322 days for the quarter which represented 59% of the total absence.

He informed the Committee that the control of sickness absence would remain a priority for the Department and it would continue to be monitored in accordance with the Council’s procedures and appropriate action would be taken thereon.

Noted.

Building Control

Application for the Grant of an Entertainments Licence where Objections had been Received

Culpa, 1 Bankmore Street

The Committee agreed that a special meeting be held to received the objectors, the applicant and/or their representatives in relation to the granting of an Entertainments Licence in respect of the above-named premises, the date of the meeting to be determined in conjunction with the Chairman (Councillor O’Reilly).

Street Naming

The Committee approved the undernoted applications for the naming of streets in the City, which did not conflict with the existing approved street names and to which the Royal Mail had offered no objections:

Proposed Name Location Applicant Greenwich Mews Off Upper Lisburn Road BT10 VWP Architects


Ivan Close Off York Road BT15 Northern Ireland Housing Executive

Malone Gate Off Upper Malone Road BT9 TOHA Architects

Feedback on Outdoor Concert held at Ravenhill Rugby Grounds 17th June, 2005

The Head of Building Control informed the Committee that the Irish Rugby Football Union (Ulster Branch) had been granted a Fourteen Day Occasional Licence in order to stage a one-off outdoor concert on 17th June at Ravenhill Rugby Grounds, 85 Ravenhill Park. He reminded the Committee that, at its meeting on 25th April, it had considered the application and had received representations from the applicant and the objectors together with the Police Service of Northern Ireland and had resolved that the Council, in its capacity as Licensing Authority, be recommended to grant the application for the outdoor event, subject to:

  1. strict adherence to the safety and cleansing plan for the event;
  2. officers of the Building Control Service facilitating a meeting with the applicant and residents of the area, with a view to addressing any concerns raised; and
  3. the concert being monitored by officers within the Building Control and Noise Pollution Services.

This decision was ratified by the Council at its meeting on 3rd May, 2005.

The Head of Building Control reported that the applicant had produced a comprehensive event safety plan that had been approved by the Building Control Service and had put in place a cleansing plan in conjunction with the Council’s Cleansing Section. Officers of the Building Control Service had facilitated two meetings between the applicant and the residents in the area on 19th May and 7th June. A number of issues had been raised at these meetings and agreement had been reached between both parties on how best to address issues such as litter, street vendors, parking, stewarding/crowd management and noise levels.

He reported also that, during the event, extensive monitoring had been carried out by officers from the Building Control Service to ensure that all matters agreed between the applicant and the residents had been adhered to and to monitor the crowd control elements of the safety plan. He reported that matters agreed between the applicant and the residents had been adhered to and that there had been no adverse issues relating to crowd control or behaviour. In addition, he pointed out that the Noise Control Service had carried out monitoring exercises in four residents’ properties, together with the monitoring exercises undertaken at the event venue. Five complaints had been received by the Council’s Noise Hotline on the night of the event.

After discussion, during which several Members congratulated the officers on the work which had been undertaken in connection with the event, the Committee noted the information which had been provided.

Northern Ireland Building Regulation Advisory Committee

The Committee was informed that Mr. T. Martin, Head of Building Control, had been invited to accept the chairmanship of the Northern Ireland Building Regulation Advisory Committee (NIBRAC) for the next three years. The Advisory Committee, which was a statutory body established under the Building Regulations (Northern Ireland) Order, advised the Department of Finance and Personnel on all aspects of the implementation of new and amended building regulations. The Committee comprised seventeen members, some of whom were drawn from specialists within the industry, in addition to Elected Members who represented the public’s interest. Appointments to the Advisory Committee were made every three years and the role of the Chairman, apart from chairing the main meetings, was to provide strategic direction and high level advice following the work carried out by relevant sub committees. The Committee was informed that the Head of Building Control would receive no salary for the work he would undertake as Chairman of the Advisory Committee and that his appointment would be subject to the rules of the Nolan Commission.

After discussion, during which it was pointed out that the appointment of Mr. Martin would provide an important opportunity for the Council to be viewed as playing a crucial role in advising the Minister in the formulation of policy and legislation that would be of benefit to the public, the Committee authorised Mr. Martin to take up the post of Chairman of the Northern Ireland Building Regulation Advisory Committee.

Revision of Council Requirements for placing Legal Notices in Newspapers in respect of Applications for Entertainments Licences

The Committee considered the undernoted report in respect of the addition of a further newspaper to those newspapers nominated as suitable for applicants to place legal notices.

A Member indicated that the newspaper in question, the Daily Ireland, had been in existence for less than a year and had already featured government advertisements. He stated that the deferral of a decision in the matter would be unfair to those members of the public who purchased only this newspaper on a regular basis and who relied upon it to inform them of public notices. In response, the Director indicated that in addition to the issue of the circulation figures, it would be important to consider also whether additions to the list of newspapers would require changes to the Council’s current policy on the placement of advertisements by Entertainments Licence Applicants. He indicated also that it would be unwise for the Council to allow a situation to develop whereby an applicant for an Entertainments Licence could place the required advertisements in newspapers which might not be widely read within the community in which the premises were located. He suggested that, for this reason, it would be prudent for a decision to be deferred to allow for the review of the Council’s policy on the requirement for the placement of advertisements in respect of applications for Entertainments Licences to take place and pointed out that such a review would be carried out expeditiously in order to allow a further report to be submitted to the November meeting of the Committee.

After discussion, it was

Moved by Councillor McCann, Seconded by Councillor O’Neill,

That the Committee agrees that, under Article 3 and Schedule 1 to the Local Government Miscellaneous Provisions (Northern Ireland) Order 1985, the Council be requested to amend the requirement for the placing of legal notices in respect of applications for Entertainments Licences to include the Daily Ireland, in addition to the Belfast Telegraph, the Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland Edition), the Irish News and the Newsletter, as one of the newspapers in which applicants must place at least one of their public notices.

Amendment

Moved by Councillor Kirkpatrick, Seconded by Councillor McKenzie,

That the Committee agrees to defer any decision on the matter for a period of three months to allow a policy to be established, with clear guidance on advertisements for applications under all of the legislation administered by Building Control Services.

On a vote by show of hands nine Members voted for the amendment and four against and it was accordingly declared carried.

The amendment was thereupon put to the meeting as the substantive motion, when nine Members voted for and four against and it was accordingly declared carried.

Environmental Health

Draft Safety of Sports Grounds (Northern Ireland) Order 2005

The Head of Environmental Health submitted a report in respect of a consultation document on a Draft Safety of Sports Grounds (Northern Ireland) Order 2005 and a proposed response to the consultation document, copies of which are set out hereunder.

After discussion, the Committee agreed to continue to support the introduction of safety at sports grounds legislation in Northern Ireland and agreed that the response document as set out above be forwarded to the Department for Culture, Arts and Leisure as the Council’s agreed position in respect of the Safety of Sports Grounds (Northern Ireland) Order 2005.

Consultation on the Transposition of the Environmental Noise Directive

The Committee considered the undernoted report in respect of the transposition and implementation in Northern Ireland of Directive 2002/49/EC of the European Parliament relating to the assessment and management of environmental noise

After discussion, the Committee agreed that the undernoted response document be forwarded to the Department of the Environment as the Council’s response to the implementation of the Environmental Noise Directive 2002/49/EC.

Air Quality Support

The Committee considered a report in respect of the appointment of a Scientific Officer (Air Quality). A copy of the report, with the exception of the appendices referred to therein, is set out hereunder.

After discussion, the Committee agreed that an additional post of Scientific Officer (Air Quality) be created, for a three-year period, within the Environmental Health Service’s structure, subject to additional funding for the post being secured through the Environment and Heritage Service’s Air Quality Grant Scheme.

Procurement of Tender for Sampling Services from the Landfill Site

The Head of Environmental Health informed the Committee that the Environmental Protection Unit provided support and services in relation to the requirements of the Landfill Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2003, Water (Northern Ireland) Order 1999 and the Ground Water Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1998 and undertook a regular programme of sampling for a range of parameters at the Dargan Road Landfill Site. The samples were taken on a quarterly and annual basis and sent to a specialised laboratory for detailed analysis for a number of indicator parameters. The result and trends were monitored for compliance with the above regulations.

He stated that the main objectives of the monitoring were to demonstrate that the design measures in place were effective, to show that discharge had not caused significant environmental impact by comparison with baseline data, to give warning of changes requiring further investigation and to manage the site to ensure that it did not cause significant environmental impact.

The Committee was informed that the contract for the analysis of the samples would expire in August 2005 and that the monitoring would continue after the closure of the landfill site. He suggested, therefore, that it would be necessary that the contract for the carrying out of the analysis be awarded for a further three year period in order to ensure continuity and consistency of approach.

The Head of Environmental Health indicated that it was anticipated that the cost of procuring the required analytical services would be approximately £40,000 per annum and, accordingly, he proposed that tenders be sought for the provision of the necessary services.

After discussion, the Committee approved the commencement of a tendering exercise in respect of the provision of a service for the analysis of samples taken from the Dargan Road Landfill Site.

Environmental Health Services Strategy

The Head of Environmental Health reminded the Committee that the Environmental Health Service had undergone significant change during the past two years, with the merger of the Consumer Protection and Health Protection Services resulting in considerable management and structural changes. The combined service had a complement of 136 officers based at four locations throughout the City and provided a wide range of environmental health services to residents, businesses and visitors.

The Committee was informed that, following extensive consultation with staff and the public, an Improvement Plan for 2005/2006 had been developed as part of the strategic development process to ensure the effective delivery of efficient environmental health services for all the citizens of Belfast. The Improvement Plan had reflected the main themes that would form the basis of the Council’s single Improvement Plan, namely, governance, customers, performance management and resource allocation and planning.

The Head of Environmental Health stated that staff within the Department were the key resource for the delivery of effective and efficient environmental health services. Therefore, it was essential that relationships were built, that staff were motivated and acted in a professional manner and that there was a shared understanding of the role of the Service in improving the health and well-being of the City and the impact the Service would have upon improving the quality of life of the citizens of Belfast. He suggested that a considerable amount of investment must be undertaken in order to ensure that the staff acquired ownership of the shared goals and that motivation be improved. Accordingly, he recommended that an organised team building and service development session for staff be organised during October and he outlined the objectives and the indicators which would be used to measure the success or otherwise of the team-building exercise. He reported that the cost of holding such an event would be in the region of £90 per person attending and that the total cost of approximately £12,600 would be met from within existing training budgets from each of the Units within the Service. He recommended further that the Chairman and the Deputy Chairman (or their nominees) be invited to attend an appropriate part of the event.

After discussion, the Committee agreed to adopt the recommendations of the Head of Environmental Health and agreed also to approve the attendance of the Chairman and the Deputy Chairman (or their nominees) at an appropriate part of the Team-building and Service Development event. In addition, the Committee authorised the payment of the appropriate travelling, subsistence and attendance allowances in connection therewith.

Council Input to the Alley-Gating Pilot Scheme

The Committee was reminded that, at its meeting on 7th February, it had agreed to make finances available for the maintenance and legal costs associated with erecting and maintaining approximately 210 alley-gates as part of a pilot scheme, that Council take responsibility for the public liability insurance and that a tendering exercise be undertaken in relation to the supply of gates associated with the pilot scheme. The Committee was reminded also that it had noted that the cost involved in the scheme would be: £10,000 for year one; £30,000 for year two; and £35,000 for year three. At its meeting on 18th April, the Committee had delegated authority to the Director of Health and Environmental Services to approve the select list and successful tender for the supply and erection of alley-gates under the pilot scheme.

The Head of Environmental Health informed the Committee that the Belfast Community Safety Partnership had secured funding in the sum of £240,000, over a two year period, from the Northern Ireland Office in order to deliver the Pilot Alley-gating Scheme in South Belfast (Lower Windsor) and North Belfast (Little America), since these areas had the highest domestic burglary figures in the City. He reported that the money should enable the purchase and erection of approximately eighty gates to proceed and would permit Bryson House to be engaged as a partner in the delivery of the Scheme. It was anticipated that the first gates would be erected in November in the North of the City.

He reported that, in order to supplement this grant and hence widen the project to cover areas in the East and West of the City, the Community Safety Partnership had applied to the Department of Social Development for grant aid in the sum of £277,000 under Phase II of the Neighbourhood Renewal Investment Fund and it was anticipated that a decision on the application would be made in the near future. The Committee was informed that the Pilot Scheme would be monitored not only to test the effectiveness of the gates but also the lengthy procedures which were required to be undertaken prior to the erection of the gates and, providing it was successful, the evaluation carried out at the end of the scheme would make proposals on how the system could be rolled out to other areas of the City.

It was reported that the Council’s Urban Development Service had been engaged to act as Project Managers and had appointed consultant structural and civil engineers and quantity surveyors to develop a design specification for the gates, advice on the selection of contractors and the administration of the contract during implementation. The Head of Environmental Health explained that, should the Community Safety Partnership be successful in obtaining grant aid from the Belfast Regeneration Office, the total amount available for the installation and erection of gates would be approximately £420,000, which would permit the erection of a further ninety gates making 170 in total. He indicated that the remainder of the funding would be used to pay Bryson House for the delivery of the community consultation and legal process as associated with the project, independent evaluation and environmental improvement schemes. The consultants’ fees could amount to £37,800.

The Head of Environmental Health explained that, should the consultant’s costs be met from the grant aid available for the capital work, this would result in approximately fifteen gates not being erected.

Accordingly, he recommended that in order to ensure the erection of as many gates as possible during the Pilot Scheme the Council, as lead partner on the Community Safety Partnership, should provide further financial assistance of up to £37,800 to cover the costs associated with the design of the gates specification, advice on the tendering processes and administration of the contracts. He pointed out that under the Northern Ireland (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Northern Ireland) Order 2002, the Council had authority to contribute to the work of the Community Safety Partnership.

After discussion, the Committee adopted the recommendations of the Head of Environmental Health.

Environmental Health Conference – Limavady

The Committee was informed that the Environmental Health – Making the Difference Conference would be held in Limavady on 15th and 16th November, 2005. The event, which was targeted specifically at Elected Public Representatives and key public health professionals, aimed to generate a better understanding of how environmental health made a wider contribution to communities. The Conference would seek to generate ideas for the future role of Local Authorities in Community Planning and the development of a more unified approach to serving and representing communities. The cost of attending the two-day Conference, including accommodation, would be £195.

After discussion, the Committee agreed to approve the attendance at the Conference of the Chairman, the Deputy Chairman (or their nominees) and one Member from each of the Party Groupings on the Council not represented by the aforementioned Members, together with the Director of Health and Environmental Services, the Head of Environmental Health (or their nominees) and one Environmental Health Manager. The Committee agreed also to authorise payment of the Conference fees, together with the appropriate attendance, travelling and subsistence allowances in connection therewith.

Cleansing Services

Phase Two of Anti-Litter Campaign

The Head of Cleansing Services reminded the Committee that, under the Brighter Belfast Initiative, funds had been made available for the provision of an integrated Anti-Litter Campaign. Phase One of the Campaign had been devised and implemented during the period from March, 2004 till November, 2004 and post campaign research had indicated that it had raised successfully the awareness of littering, as an issue, with 86% of the general public.

He advised the Committee that Phase Two of the Campaign had been designed to build upon the high recognition figures and to develop that awareness into behavioural changes regarding littering habits. He outlined the main elements which would be contained within Phase Two of the campaign which consisted of media advertising and poster and events promotion. He indicated that the media advertising would consist of television and poster advertisements and, in this regard, the Members viewed one thirty second and three ten second videos of advertisements which were running currently on local television. In addition to the thirty second and ten second television advertisements, the Campaign would include also poster site advertisements, copies of which were displayed for the information of the Members.

The Head of Cleansing Services outlined the programme of events and promotions which had been planned. This included the Community Billboard Challenge, an event sponsored by Coca Cola which had provided £1,000 in prizes for four area winners. He pointed out that Phase Two of the Campaign had been designed to change the public’s littering behaviour on a long term basis, which would have an environmental benefit for the City in terms of cleanliness and attractiveness.

After discussion, during which several Members commended the officers on the Campaign which had been run and suggested a number of reward schemes which might contribute also to the reduction in littering throughout the City, the Committee noted the information which had been provided.

Amendment to Cleansing Area Boundaries

The Head of Cleansing Services reported that a review of the street cleansing operations throughout the City had been undertaken during the past two years and, as a result of the review, a balancing of managerial responsibility had been undertaken. This had resulted in the geographical area controlled by the Area Cleansing Manager in the South of the City being increased with a subsequent reduction in the East Cleansing Area. There were no financial implications involved. As a result of the operational boundary change, it would be necessary to amend the recorded staffing structure in both areas as follows: 

	East Area	South Area	Net Change
Precinct Sweeper Driver	-1	+1	0
Entry Squad Labourer	-2	+2	0
Sweeper Labourer	-3	+3	0
Total	-6	+6	0

The Committee approved the amendments to the Cleansing Service’s area structures.

Street Cleansing Report on Cleanliness Index

The Head of Cleansing Services submitted for the Committee’s consideration the undernoted report in respect of the standard of cleanliness throughout the City

After discussion, the Committee agreed to note the contents of the foregoing report.

Waste Management

Northern Ireland Landfill Allowances Scheme and Recycling Rates Update

The Director of Health and Environmental Services submitted a report in relation to the Northern Ireland Landfill Allowances Scheme and Recycling Rates. A copy of the report, with the exception of the appendices referred to therein, is set out hereunder.

After discussion, during which the Head of Waste Management informed the Committee that the Department would continue to monitor the scheme and the recycling rates, the Committee noted the contents of the report.

arc21 2010 Capacity Requirements

The Committee considered the undernoted report in respect of the Council’s infrastructural capacity requirements up to 2010 in relation to arc21 and the Council’s Waste Management Plan.

In response to a question, the Director indicated that the location of the sites would emerge from the tender processes. The arc21 Councils had been encouraged to offer sites to any prospective contractors but it would also be open to the tenderers to use other sites. He reminded the Members that the Council had agreed to the use of land at the North Foreshore for arc21 facilities.

After discussion, the Committee adopted the recommendations contained within the foregoing report.

Update on Waste Communication Plan

The Committee considered the undernoted report in respect of the Waste Communication Plan.

After discussion, the Committee adopted the recommendations contained within the foregoing report.

arc21 Austria Study Visit

The Committee was informed that the arc21 Joint Committee had agreed to a series of visits to view more advanced waste management technologies of the type that Arc21 would be seeking to develop within the Region. The Head of Waste Management reported that, in line with the approach of identifying suitable sites to visit in order to see good practice operations first hand and to provide education to Members and officers on the potential future technologies, it was proposed to organise a visit to an appropriate destination to consider technologies which arc 21 would be procuring to meet 2010 Landfill Directive targets.

He reported that, following consultation with the Local Government International Branch, London, the Municipality of Loeven, Austria, had been identified as a suitable location and had indicated that it would welcome a visit from arc21 to see its approach to waste management. He stated that the Municipality utilised a variety of technologies for treating and recycling waste and it had been proposed that a group of representatives from arc21 would visit the location in October to view a range of treatment facilities including, in particular, organic waste treatment operations and mechanical biological treatment plant.

Accordingly, he recommended that the Committee approve the attendance of the Council’s Joint Committee Representatives (or their nominees), together with one Member from each of the other Political Groupings on the Council not represented by the foregoing Members, together with the Director of Health and Environmental Services and the Head of Waste Management (or their nominees).

The Committee adopted the recommendations and authorised the payment of the appropriate travelling, accommodation, subsistence and attendance allowances in connection therewith.

Internal Waste Plan

The Committee considered a report in respect of the implementation of the Internal Waste Plan. A copy of the report and the Executive Summary of the In-house Waste Management Strategy are set out hereunder.

After discussion, the Committee approved the contents of the Internal Waste Plan, authorised the necessary expenditure as set out in the foregoing report and agreed that it be adopted as the Council’s policy.

Tender for Collection and Recycling of Scrap Materials

The Committee was reminded that, at its meeting on 18th April, it had delegated authority to the Director of Health and Environmental Services to commence a tendering exercise in connection with the collection and recycling of scrap metals from the Council’s Recycling Centres and Civic Amenity sites for a period of up to three years.

The Head of Waste Management reported that, in response to a public advertisement, one tender had been received for this service. The tender had been evaluated by officers from the Waste Management Services and the Procurement Unit using a range of pre-agreed criteria.

He recommended that the Committee approve the acceptance of the tender received from Avenue Recycling Limited, 208 Tates Avenue, Belfast for the collection and recycling of scrap metals from the Council’s Recycling Centres and Civic Amenity sites for a one-year period, with an option to extend the contract for a further two year period, subject to the completion of a form of contract and a satisfactory performance.

The Committee adopted the recommendation.

Tender for the Supply and Delivery of 360 Litre Wheel Refuse Containers

The Members were informed that the Council had, in January, 2003, adopted the arc21 Waste Plan as the means of achieving the targets for waste reduction and recycling as set out in European Community and National Legislation. A detailed implementation action plan had been produced, which identified the Council’s actions and associated costs in order to meet recovery targets up to the year 2020. The plan comprised various initiatives, including kerbside collections recycling schemes, bring schemes, household recycling centres and a range of educational programmes.

The Head of Waste Management reminded the Members that the Council was implementing currently a programme of introducing blue bins and black boxes for dry recyclables and brown bins for garden waste. Households on multi-bin schemes would be changing to alternate week collections for black landfill bins and the blue and brown recycling bins. However, it had become apparent that some households could recycle more that 240 litres per fortnight and would benefit from a larger capacity blue bin. In addition, some households with larger families or households which had residents with medical conditions might require additional black landfill bin storage capacity to accommodate their needs.

The Head of Waste Management stated that, whilst recognising that before issuing these bins there would be a need to put in place an assessment process which would seek to minimise the potential of some households seeking to merely continue to use their landfill bin collection as normal but with a larger bin, it had been anticipated that approximately 3,000 large capacity bins would be required through a call-off contract. Accordingly, he sought the Committee’s approval for the commencement of a tendering process for the supply and delivery of 360 litre wheeled refuse containers for distribution to households within the City.

The Committee granted the authority sought.

Report on Waste Management Contracts Awarded under Delegated Authority

The Committee was reminded that, at its meeting on 6th June, it had delegated authority to the Director of Health and Environmental Services to award a contract in respect of a Hook Lift Container emptying service.

The Head of Waste Management reported that, in response to public advertisement, one tender had been received. The tender had been evaluated against pre-agreed criteria and had been considered to be satisfactory. Accordingly, he reported that under the authority delegated to him, the Director of Health and Environmental Services had awarded the contract to Avenue Recycling Limited, 208 Tates Avenue, Belfast, for a one-year period, with an option to extend the contract for a further two years on a yearly basis, subject to a satisfactory performance. The estimated cost per annum would be approximately £75,000 and provision for the amount had been made within the Revenue Budget.

The Committee noted the information which had been provided.




Chairman

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