Minutes:
It was moved by Councillor L Bartoli and seconded by Councillor C Johnston that:
During the Authority’s recent budget setting process there was a commitment to have 100 new litter bins across the Borough which should be welcomed because keeping the area clean should always be a top priority for the Authority.
Unfortunately, the extra bins will only help solve the problem of litter if they are
regularly emptied, maintained and the area around the bin cleared. Bins can fill up quickly, particularly in the popular tourist locations and can be damaged for a variety of reasons. Providing a simple system for allowing the public to report bins being full or damaged will help the Authority respond quickly and effectively.
Council requests the Mayor to consider introducing a scheme similar to that used by Glasgow City Council and Cheshire West and Chester Council by using existing technology to assist with this reporting process. The scheme would: -
· Attach unique QR code stickers to the bins which can be scanned with a smartphone and will identify the exact location of the bin.
· Link this to the Authority’s “Report It” section on its website and if possible provide information on when the bin is next due to be emptied – this will avoid the need to report a bin that is due to be emptied the same or next day.
Residents can then report bins that are damaged, need emptying or the area around them cleaned.
An amendment was moved by Councillor S Graham and seconded by Councillor C Johnson that:
- Amends the first sentence of paragraph 4 to insert ‘Council Thanks the Mayor for already having plans in place to introduce’ and delete ‘requests the Mayor to consider introducing’
- Adds a final paragraph to read ‘Council requests the Mayor write to all members updating them on the progress council have made since they started to look into this during the last financial year.’
The amended motion therefore read:
During the Authority’s recent budget setting process there was a commitment to have 100 new litter bins across the Borough which should be welcomed because keeping the area clean should always be a top priority for the Authority.
Unfortunately, the extra bins will only help solve the problem of litter if they are regularly emptied, maintained and the area around the bin cleared.
Bins can fill up quickly, particularly in the popular tourist locations and can be damaged for a variety of reasons.
Providing a simple system for allowing the public to report bins being full or damaged will help the Authority respond quickly and effectively.
Council thanks the Mayor for already having plans in place to introduce a scheme similar to that used by Glasgow City Council and Cheshire West and Chester Council by using existing technology to assist with this reporting process. The scheme would: -
• Attach unique QR code stickers to the bins which can be scanned with a smartphone and will identify the exact location of the bin.
• Link this to the Authority’s “Report It” section on its website and if possible, provide information on when the bin is next due to be emptied – this will avoid the need to report a bin that is due to be emptied the same or next day.
Residents can then report bins that are damaged, need emptying or the area around them cleaned.
Council requests the Mayor write to all members updating them on the progress council have made since they started to look into this during the last financial year.
The amendment, on being put to the meeting, was agreed unanimously.
The amended substantive motion, on being put to the meeting, was agreed unanimously.