To consider any other business that the Chair accepts as being urgent.

The Leader reported that he agreed to accept the following items of urgent business:

(1)  WINTER MAINTENANCE AND BIN COLLECTIONS

The Director of Technical Services outlined the current position regarding winter maintenance operations in response to the freezing weather

Since the start of the cold weather, gritters had been used on primary and secondary transport routes, which were prioritised by all local authorities to make the roads safe for motorists. Approximately 60% salt stock levels had been used so far, and representations were being made to the Secretary of State for Transport requesting that the national salt cell be activated to enable the Council to replenish its depleted salt supplies.

The freezing weather had severely disrupted bin collections, making many residential streets across the borough too icy for the bin wagons to gain access. Despite being unable to collect in many streets, Arrangements had been made for extra Biffa crews to work on the missed bin collections over the weekend and it was anticipated that the backlog would be significantly reduced.  The crews would to attempt all scheduled collections, but conditions in some residential streets could prevent access problems for the large and heavy vehicles.  Subject to improved weather conditions, it was envisaged that:

-  All green bins that were due to be collected during the week commencing 6 December will be collected by 13 December;

-  Green still outstanding from last week commencing 29 November, will revert to their scheduled collection next week;

-  Green bins will take priority over grey recycling bins;

-  Grey bins will be collected on their next scheduled collection day;

-  Collection of brown garden waste bins will resume from 13 December

The Director referred to last year’s experience of extreme weather conditions which had highlighted the need for regular communications through daily bulletins, press releases, the website, and the call centre. He reported that Biffa crews were working alongside the Wirral Community Payback Service and the Council’s parks and gardens team to grit the pavements and main shoppers’ car parks. The Council was also restocking grit bins, for use by residents outside their homes.

The Leader thanked the Director for his update report and also conveyed Cabinet’s thanks to the operational teams.

Councillor Rennie, portfolio holder, endorsed these comments and noted that the improved weather forecast for the weekend should provide the opportunity to “catch up”, particularly in relation to bin collections. She thanked Mark Camborne, Health Safety and Resilience Manager, for his role in co-ordinating resilience planning to respond to the winter maintenance problems and producing the daily communications bulletins to keep members informed.

On a motion by Councillor Rennie seconded by the Leader it was:

RESOLVED: That

(1)  the report be noted.

(2)  the Director and operational teams be thanked for their efforts in providing a first class winter maintenance service to ensure that the most vulnerable people in society are helped and supported during the winter months.

(3)  Cabinet note that the UK is in the grip of its longest  ...  view the full minutes text for item 262