Health and Environmental Services Committee 11 December 2006
From Nigov
Health and Environmental Services Committee Monday, 11th December, 2006
MEETING OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES COMMITTEE
Members present
Councillor O'Reilly (Chairman); and Councillors Adamson, Campbell, Cush, Hanna, Jones, Kelly, McCann, McClenaghan, McKenzie, Mhic Giolla Mhín, Mullaghan and O'Neill.
Also attended
Councillors Cobain, Ekin and McCausland.
In attendance
- Mr. W. Francey (Director of Health Environmental Services)
- Mr. A. Hassard (Head of Environmental Health)
- Mr. T. Martin (Head of Building Control)
- Mr. S. Skimin (Head of Cleansing Services)
- Mr. T. Walker (Head of Waste Management)
- Miss L. Hillick (Committee Administrator)
Apologies
Apologies for inability to attend were reported from Councillors Cunningham and Kirkpatrick.
Minutes
The minutes of the meeting of 6th November 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 December, subject to the amendment of the decision under the heading "Allegating - Adherence to Contract Schedules", to provide that a report outlining those proposed alleygating schemes where the Roads Service had not completed its determinations within the agreed time scales be submitted to the Committee and that the Divisional Roads Manager be invited to attend a future meeting of the Committee.
Notice of Motion: Litter Reduction Initiatives
The Committee was reminded that the Lord Mayor, at the meeting of the Council on 4th December, in accordance with Standing Order 11(e), had referred to the Health and Environmental Services Committee the undernoted Notice of Motion which had been proposed by Councillor Ekin and seconded by Councillor Long:
"The Council welcomes the efforts of Council officers in the initiation and operation of litter prevention and public awareness campaigns under the Brighter Belfast banner and affirms its commitment to education and litter awareness as the only effective means of reducing litter and waste, in the long term. The Council accepts that such a commitment will require an investment in time,
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effort, funding, imagination and widespread leadership but considers that a successful campaign should be able to produce measurable results within a two-year period. The Council will monitor progress on litter reduction through regular reports, incorporating physical as well as financial measures, to the Health and Environmental Services Committee.
In addition, the Council calls upon the organisers of all public events, whether supported by the Council or not, to co-operate with the Council's policy of keeping Belfast clean and attractive by working imaginatively and proactively with Council officers to reduce the amount of litter being dropped in the City's streets and open spaces during and around those events.
Council does not accept that it is satisfactory for the litter to be dropped only to be picked up later; no matter how speedily and effectively that is done.
We encourage all those groups who already take an interest and take action in anti littering and clean-ups, to continue their good work.
The Council recognises that the organisers of events, be they sporting, cultural, social, community or other; are not necessarily the perpetrators of littering, but believes that, if they maintain and actively encourage high levels of cleanliness, and litter awareness, they have a unique opportunity to demonstrate leadership within the wider community, which could be of social and financial benefit to the whole community."
Councillor Ekin, with the permission of the Chairman, advised the Committee that it was imperative that organisers of all public events in the City, whether supported by the Council or not, be encouraged to co-operate with the Council's policy of keeping the City clean and attractive by working with Council officers to reduce the amount of litter being dropped in the City's streets and open spaces during such events.
After discussion, the Committee noted that a further report in the matter would be submitted for its consideration in due course.
Alleygating - Delays in Consultation Process
The Committee considered the undernoted report.
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After discussion, the Committee adopted the recommendation and noted that the Divisional Roads Manager, Mr. T. McCourt, had requested details of the delays which had occurred and had undertaken to investigate and respond to the Council. He had indicated also that he was willing to attend a future meeting of the Committee to discuss the issue in more detail.
Building Control
Amusement Permits: Application for the Grant of an Amusement Permit
Jet Amusements, 32-46 Castlereagh Road
The Committee considered the undernoted report in respect of the grant of an Amusement Permit.
After discussion, the Committee agreed that the Council, in its capacity as Licensing Authority, be recommended to grant the application for an Amusement Permit in respect of Jet Amusements, 32-46 Castlereagh Road, subject to the undernoted mandatory conditions:
(i) that the premises are not used for an unlawful purpose or as a resort of persons of known bad character;
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(ii) that that part of the premises where machines with a maximum payout of £25 are situated be separated from the remainder of the premises by an effective physical barrier; and
(a) notices be displayed prominently at the entrance to and inside the area indicating that access is prohibited to persons under the age of 18; and
(b) access to that area be observed and supervised at all times.
Safer Pub Accreditation Scheme
The Committee considered the undernoted report.
The Committee adopted the recommendation.
Application for the Variation of an Entertainments Licence
Dubarry's, 10-14 Gresham Street
The Head of Building Control submitted for the Committee's consideration a report in relation to an application for the Variation of an Entertainments Licence in respect of Dubarry's, 10-14 Gresham Street.
He reported that no written representations had been received and the Police Service of Northern Ireland had offered no objections to the application. However, he pointed out that, given the lateness of the hours applied for, he considered that it was appropriate that the matter be brought to the Committee's attention.
After discussion, it was
Resolved - That the Council, in its capacity as Licensing Authority, be recommended to grant the variation of a Seven-Day Annual Entertainments Licence in respect of Dubarry's, 10-14 Gresham Street, in that entertainment in the form of music, singing and dancing or any other entertainment of a like kind, be permitted on the ground, first and second floors as set out hereunder:
|Monday to Saturday |11.30 a.m. to 3.00 a.m. | | |the following morning | |Sunday |12.30 p.m. to 3.00 a.m. | | |the following morning |
Naming of Streets and Numbering of Properties
The Committee approved the undernoted applications for the naming of streets in the City which did not conflict with existing approved street names and to which the Royal Mail had offered no objection:
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|Proposed Name |Location |Applicant | |Antrim Close |Off Antrim Road, BT15 |Macrae Hanlon Spence Architects | |Antrim Mews |Off Antrim Road, BT15 |Macrae Hanlon Spence Architects | |Rusholme Walk |Off Rusholme Street, |Northern Ireland Housing Executive| | |BT13 | |
Waste Management
Tender for the Collection and Disposal of Fridges and Freezers
The Committee considered the undernoted report.
The Committee adopted the recommendation.
Installation of Recycling Points
The Head of Waste Management reminded the Committee that, at its meeting on 9th February, 2004, it had agreed that details in respect of land to be utilised as mini-bring centres be submitted for consideration by the Committee prior to licence arrangements being signed.
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Accordingly, he sought the Committee's approval to locate recycling points at the undernoted locations:
- Garnerville Presbyterian Church, Glenmachan Road
- Musgrave Park
- Holylands:
(a) City Church, University Avenue; (b) Wine Flair, Penrose Street; and (c) Stranmillis Embankment.
The Head of Waste Management reported that, in order to ensure that each recycling point was used effectively and to minimise the potential for vandalism or nuisance, the Waste Management Service had engaged the public and/or residents of the vicinity to ensure that there was community support. He pointed out that, as glass could not be collected in the blue bin system, it was extremely important that local collection points were provided to assist in the diversion of this resource away from landfill. He reported that the cost of installing each recycling point was approximately £1,000, provision for which had been made within the Department's Revenue Estimates.
The Committee approved the location of mini-bring centres at the aforementioned locations.
Tender for the Reception, Treatment and Disposal of Street Litter Collected by the Council's Mechanical Sweepers
The Committee considered the undernoted report.
The Committee adopted the recommendation and granted the approval sought.
Tender for the Reception and Transfer of Bulky Household and Commercial Wastes to Landfill
The Head of Waste Management reminded the Committee that, with the imminent closure of the Dargan Road Landfill Site during April, 2007, provision had been made for the construction of a Waste Transfer Station at the site. The purpose of the station would be to bulk-up domestic, commercial and other wastes for loading into bulk haulage vehicles, which would then carry the waste to landfill sites and, potentially, to other facilities within the Belfast City Council area.
He pointed out that Planning delays had meant that the Waste Transfer Station would not be completed before August, 2007 and that the Council had been transporting household waste directly to the arc21 landfill sites. This had resulted in additional travel time for vehicles and, due to the opening hours of the landfill sites and other operational constraints, it was not possible to directly haul the bulky household waste or commercial waste to new sites. It was, therefore, necessary to put alternative arrangements in place during the period from April, 2007, until the opening of the Transfer Station.
The Head of Waste Management explained that there would be a period of approximately four months in which the bulky household and commercial wastes could not be bulked up for transport to the Cottonmount Landfill Site. It was proposed, therefore, that tenders be sought from competent waste operators within the Council area for the provision of a Waste Transfer Station for the loading and hauling of approximately 6,000 tonnes of bulky household and commercial waste, including
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foodstuffs, to the arc21 procured landfill sites. The contract would be required to run until the scheduled opening of the Council's own Waste Transfer Station and the Service had held discussions with the Procurement Unit to ensure that the proposals were in accordance with the Council's purchasing protocols. Other Councils within arc21 had expressed also an interest in being able to access this contract and any tender documents produced would be prepared in such a manner as to permit them to enter into the contract.
Accordingly, he recommended that the Committee:
(i) approve the commencement of a tendering exercise for the provision of a Waste Transfer Station contract, incorporating the reception, loading and haulage of the Council's bulky household and commercial wastes to landfill sites designated under the arc21 landfill disposal contract, for a period of four months, commencing 1st April, 2007, extendable thereafter in weekly periods until such time as the Transfer Station was operational;
(ii) agree that the tender documents be drawn up to enable other arc21 Councils to access the contract; and
(iii) grant delegated authority to the Chief Executive and the Director of Health and Environmental Services, in consultation with the Chairman, to accept the most advantageous tender received.
The Committee adopted the recommendations and noted that the cost of the contract was estimated to be approximately £120,000, provision for which had been made within the Department's Revenue Budget for 2007/2008.
Tender for the Collection of Household Asbestos Materials
The Committee was informed that the Waste Management Service had operated since May, 2005 a service for the collection and disposal of a range of asbestos materials from domestic households within the Belfast City Council area. Although there was no legal obligation on the Council to provide such a service, it was considered that it provided households with a solution to the problems associated with securing a proper disposal route for such hazardous waste.
The Head of Waste Management explained that these wastes were collected by a licensed contractor and disposed of in compliance with the Hazardous Waste Regulations (Northern Ireland) Order 2005 and the relevant Duty of Care legislation, including the Pre-Notification Consignment Note system required for the removal of hazardous waste. The contract currently served, on average, twelve properties per month and during the previous year over 8 tonnes of asbestos based products had been removed safely from domestic households within the City.
The Head of Waste Management pointed out that, in order to enable the Council to continue to provide this service, a tendering exercise was required to procure the services of a competent company to collect, remove and dispose of asbestos waste. It was proposed that the collection of waste would be limited to one visit per household within any twelve month period and that the maximum amount of waste removed from any one property during this time would be set at 120 kilogrammes. It was envisaged that the duration of the contract would be approximately one year, with the option to extend for two further periods of twelve months, subject to satisfactory performance. The cost of the provision of this service over a three-year period would be approximately £40,000 and would reduce the incidence or likelihood of dumping of this type of waste, the costs of which would be considerable. Accordingly, he recommended that the Committee authorise the commencement of a tendering exercise for the collection and disposal of asbestos from domestic households.
The Committee granted the authority sought.
Environmental Health
Publication of Food Hygiene Information
The Committee considered the undernoted report.
The Committee granted the approval sought.
Appointment of Public Analysts
The Head of Environmental Health reminded the Committee that, under Article 27 of the Food Safety (Northern Ireland) Order 1991, the Council was required to appoint one or more suitably qualified persons to act as analysts for the purposes of the functions conferred on it by that Order.
He stated that, following the closure of Ruddock and Sherritt, Public Analysts, a tendering process had been undertaken on behalf of the Northern Ireland Chief Environmental Health Officers' Group for the provision of future services in Northern Ireland. Subsequently, Eurofins Laboratories Limited had been awarded the contract.
The Head of Environmental Health pointed out that the contract had commenced on 4th September, 2006 and would run for a period of approximately two years. The contract period may be extended by a period or periods of up to three years with the Northern Ireland Chief Environmental Health Officers' Group retaining options to extend for minimum twelve month periods. He explained that the company had a number of Public Analysts who were suitably qualified, in accordance with the statutory requirements, and, accordingly, he recommended that the Committee approve the appointment of Messrs. Ron Ennion, Gary Burton, Jeremy Wootten, Duncan Arthur and Kevin Wardle, Dr. Andrew Smith, Mrs. Joanne Hubbard and Miss Elizabeth Moran as Public Analysts to the Council.
The Committee adopted the recommendation.
Update on the Work of the Belfast Community Safety Partnership
The Committee agreed to note the contents of a report in relation to the work which was being carried out currently by the Belfast Community Safety Partnership.
Review of Management Structure of the Environmental Health Service
The Committee considered the undernoted report.
The Committee adopted the recommendation.
Response to the Consultation on Proposed Regulations to be Made Under the Smoking (Northern Ireland) Order 2006
The Head of Environmental Health reported that the Smoking (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 had been approved at Westminster on 9th October, 2006 and had formally become law on 14th November. The Order would come into effect in Northern Ireland on 30th April, 2007, and would prohibit smoking in all enclosed workplaces and public places.
He pointed out that a consultation exercise had been carried out by the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety during the period from 25th September till 3rd November on the draft regulations underpinning the Order and views had been sought on a range of issues including the definition of "enclosed" and "substantially enclosed" premises, requirements for the content and display of no smoking signs, exemptions to the legislation and arrangements in respect of fixed penalty notices. In view of the short consultation period, it had not been possible to submit a report for the Committee's consideration and, as a result, a response had been drawn-up and submitted to the Department on the basis that it was required to be ratified by the Committee and the Council. Accordingly, he recommended that the Committee agree to the response to the draft regulations submitted to the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety. A copy of the response was available upon request from the Department.
After discussion, the Committee adopted the recommendation.
Allocation of Staff to Carry Out Promotional/Educational Duties in connection with the Smoking (Northern Ireland) Order 2006
The Head of Environmental Health reminded the Committee that the Smoking (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 would prohibit smoking in all enclosed workplaces and public spaces. District Councils would be the enforcing authorities for the legislation and the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety had allocated funding for the employment of Smoke-Free Environments officers to work with businesses to enable them to comply with the legislation. The role of these officers would be to provide advice and assistance and generally raise awareness of the new legislation.
He pointed out that, following discussions, the Chief Environmental Health Officers' Group in Northern Ireland had agreed that the most efficient way to manage the project would be to appoint one Council as the employing authority and then to place officers within Councils as required. This would avoid duplication of expenditure on recruitment/employment and Omagh District Council had agreed to take on the role of the employing authority. It had been agreed further that two of these officers would be based within Belfast City Council and work with businesses located in the Council area. Interviews had been held for these posts and Ms. R. Flynn, currently employed as a Technical Officer within the Environmental Health Service, had been a successful candidate. Further interviews were being held in relation to the appointment of the second officer to be placed within the Council. A Regional Manager for the project had been appointed and had indicated a desire to be based within Belfast City Council.
He explained that the Department had allocated funding to cover the costs of the two Smoke-Free Environments Officers and recommended that the Committee agree to the secondment of Ms. R. Flynn to work for Omagh District Council for a period of eleven months as a Smoke-Free Environments Officer, Grade SO2. In addition, he recommended that the Committee agree that a further officer be seconded to the Council by Omagh District Council as a Smoke-Free Environments Officer for a period of eleven months and that the Regional Manager for the Project be based within Belfast City Council.
The Committee adopted the recommendations.
Alleygating Officer
The Committee considered the undernoted report.
The Committee granted the approval sought.
Response to Consultative Document on Proposals for the Transfer of Petroleum Licensing Functions from District Councils to the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland and Related Matters
The Committee considered the undernoted report.
The Committee adopted the recommendation.
Emergency Planning Society
Flu Pandemic Event
The Head of Environmental Health reported that the local branch of the Emergency Planning Society aimed to raise awareness on important issues such as major risks and how to mitigate those risks by sharing information and promoting contacts and networking in the Emergency Planning community. The Council's Emergency Co-ordination Officer, in his role on the Executive Committee of the Society, had been involved recently in the organisation of a high profile training event aimed at raising awareness of a potential flu pandemic. The event, which had been held on 26th October, had involved key speakers from the health sector, private sector and the media and had included a scenario based workshop.
He explained that it was crucial that service delivery organisations had as much information as possible to assist them to plan for a pandemic flu of global proportions. This was not just a matter for the Public Health Sector but affected all areas of government, business and industry. The Council had been represented on marketing material and literature and had been provided with a number of free places for Council staff. The overall cost of the event had been approximately £4,000 and the Society had requested a contribution of £1,000 from the Council. Accordingly, he recommended that the Committee agree to accede to the Society's request.
The Committee adopted the recommendation and agreed that the Council's Emergency Co-ordination Officer be invited to attend a future meeting in order to provide an update in relation to the event and the Council's emergency planning arrangements.
Chairman
