To review the implementation of Operation Brighter Bay and Operation Town Centres projects and consider making recommendations to the Cabinet.

The Leader of the Council – Councillor David Thomas, the Cabinet Member for Pride in Place, Transport and Parking – Councillor Billings, the Managing Director of SWISCo – Matt Reeks and the Strategic Lead for Community Protection – David Parsons, presented the submitted annual report which provided an update on Operation Town Centres and Operation Brighter Bay and responded to questions.  It was agreed that a video on Operation Town Centres would be circulated to Councillors following the meeting.

Margaret Forbes Hamilton, Tormohun Community Partnership and Chair of Torbay Greenspace Forum made oral representations in respect of the weed spraying, recycling rates and the moving to standard timing all year round for gardening from longer hours in the summer and reduced hours in the winter.

Members raised the following questions:

·                Why were residential areas neglected for weed spraying with focus being put on tourist and larger footfall areas?

·                How would leaf clearance prevent flooding?

·                What was being done about faded double-yellow lines?

·                Could Members have a schedule for line painting?

·                When would the fleet replacement schedule be shared?

·                What support was given to people whose tents were removed?

·                What support was given to veterans living who were rough sleeping?

·                Has crime and antisocial behaviour increased in other areas since PSPOs?

·                Do we have full Town Centre Officer coverage?

·                Could the Council clean rubbish from Brixham Harbour at low tide?

The following responses were received:

·                SWISCo would address weed spraying in residential areas progressively; new equipment was in place and scheduling was planned for next year.

·                Two gully tanking crews were working with the sweepers to clear leaves from gullies to prevent flooding.

·                37km of line painting has been covered; it was agreed that a quarterly schedule would be shared with Ward Councillors.

·                The fleet replacement schedule would be shared with Members; the Council had approved capital investment recently for replacements.

·                The process for tent removal includes outreach, welfare checks, storage of belongings, and signposting to relevant support services, including support for veterans.

·                It was noted that shoplifting had increased slightly; PSPOs focus on alcohol and antisocial behaviour, shoplifting was monitored with the Police.  Members were advised of UK Partners Against Crime System (UKPAC) which provided a mechanism to report crime and incidences which were then collated and used by the Police – more information can be found at uk-pac.com.

·                All Town Centre Officers were in place and provided full coverage including key dates such as New Year’s Eve.

·                A second patrol vessel had been deployed by the Harbour Authority to help clean the Brixham Inner Harbour area; belly bins were also helping to reduce street litter entering harbour from the streets.

·                Information on weed spraying would be provided to Members; prioritisation was based on high footfall areas.

·                Recycling rates were based on residential waste only; staffing changes had not reduced capacity.

Resolved (unanimously):

That the Director of Pride in Place be requested:

1        that Ward Councillors be provided with details of the quarterly schedule for line painting in their Wards, and those that have been completed;

2.       that all Members receive a copy of the fleet replacement schedule, including the SWISCo capital programme;

3.       that future reports include what weed work had been done as a comparison over the last five years; and

4.       to provide all Members with a dashboard of residential delivery for grass cutting and weed spraying;

That the Director of Adult and Community Services be requested:

5.       to provide details of those people who have had tents removed and moved into accommodation; and

6.       to provide a written response on the number of veterans sleeping rough who have been supported and where they have been signposted to.