The Public Protection Unit exists to deliver the statutory and regulatory environmental health functions placed upon the Council which are concerned with protecting public health and well being, and safeguarding the environment.
The Unit is responsible for the following general areas of the Council’s work;
Waste Management
Ensuring that domestic refuse and recycling is collected, streets and the environment are kept clean and a service for the collection of trade refuse is provided.
Food Hygiene
Inspecting food premises, sampling food and waters, investigating food complaints
Health and Safety
Inspecting workplaces and investigating accidents at work and responsibility for ‘Smokefree’ legislation throughout the Borough.
Pollution Control
Inspecting and licensing premises which emit pollutants to the atmosphere.
Contaminated Land
Identifying land where previous use has caused it to be contaminated with potentially harmful substances
Housing
Taking action to ensure housing is safe to live in
Public Health
Dealing with statutory nuisances including noise, investigating infectious diseases, removing accumulations, treating pests and infestations, keeping the Borough’s public conveniences clean and in reasonable repair, collecting stray dogs, dealing with litter and fly tipping, monitoring private and public water supply quality
Consultation
Providing advice on planning applications involving major developments, licence applications, land
searches
Charter Market
Ensuring the weekly Charter Market is run effectively.
Corporate Policy
How Policy Implemented
Equality & Diversity
• This service unit will carry out the timetabled Equality Impact Assessments as detailed in the Councils Inclusive Equalities Scheme, and where necessary we will assist other Service Units with their Equality Impact Assessments.
Planned Equality Impact Assessments for 2008/09 are;
• Dog Control
• Pest Control
• Port of Berwick Upon Tweed
• Public Conveniences
• Public Event Safety
• This service unit will engage with equality self-assessment, scrutiny and audit on our service delivery.
• This Service Unit will assist where possible in the development of an information and monitoring system for the Councils work on Equality & Diversity.
• Staff within the unit will comply with Council policy for responding to harassment on the grounds of race, disability and gender.
• The service unit will engage in consultation with designated community, staff and stakeholder groups on its equality impact and needs/requirements assessment and its service delivery. Consultation planned includes assisted bin lift scheme.
• In any partnership arrangements that this service unit enters into, we will seek to ensure that the equality policy and objectives are incorporated.
• This service unit will engage in development of service level equality objectives and targets.
• Where necessary, the service unit will establish planning groups for monitoring and information systems.
• Staff in the service unit will be encouraged to participate in equality and diversity training opportunities offered by the Council.
Data Quality
Staff of the Unit have been made aware of the Councils Data Quality Policy and its requirements which the Unit undertakes to comply with e.g. by ensuring the accuracy of public protection documents available on the Councils website.
Service Policy
How Policy Implemented
NOTE: The Public Protection Unit is responsible for the enforcement of a very wide range of environmental health of legislation. The list provided is not exhaustive and represents a small fraction of the legislation, Codes of practice and guidance (both internal and external) to be complied with.
Health and safety Services Plan
The Plan has been prepared in accordance with statutory guidance and describes the approach which will be taken to health and safety enforcement within the Public Protection Unit.
Food Safety Act 1990 Code of Practice and Guidance
Produced by the Food Standards Agency. The Code of proactive must be adhered to by all Councils to ensure consistency in the approach to enforcement under the Food Safety Act.
Enforcement policy
This policy describes the Units approach to enforcement and explains the process.
Enforcement Concordat
This is a Cabinet Office document which the Council has adopted. It sets out what business and others being regulated can expect from enforcement officers. It commits us to good enforcement practice and can be supplemented by additional enforcement policy statements.
Northumberland County waste Strategy
Joint strategy signed produced by the seven councils in Northumberland plus the Environment Agency. It includes targets for the county and a range of recommendation on waste management until 2020.
Contaminated land Strategy
Contaminated land is a complex technical subject with the potential for damage to the environment and human health. It can also be a potential legal minefield for developers, property owners and those involved in property transactions. The Council has an important role to play in many aspects of land contamination, which are summarised in its Contaminated Land Strategy.
ETSU R-97 Noise from Windfarms Code of Practice
Noise assessments are carried out in accordance with standard UK and, where appropriate, EEC and international guidance and legislation. This code of practice is one of the documents to be used for considering potential noise from windfarms.
Housing Enforcement Policy
In order to ensure a consistent approach to housing standards enforcement by inspectors the Council has adopted this formal policy for enforcement of the Housing Act.
Pollution Control Enforcement Policy
Describes the powers available for enforcement and how these will be used in relation to Pollution Control.
Charter market Charter.
The terms of Royal Charters issued by Kings John and James entitle traders to operate from a market on Wednesdays and Saturdays in Marygate, as well as other days during May. There are a series of operational requirements which stall holders must abide by.
Service Partner Providers
How Partner Supports Service Delivery
Veolia Environmental PLC.
Provision of the refuse collection and recycling to all homes throughout the Borough. Road sweeping (including litter picking on public open spaces and on the beaches in the borough), collection of recyclables from ‘bring sites’ and the provision of a Clinical waste service, trade waste service, and bulky waste collection service.
Superclean Services
Superclean staff ensure that the public conveniences maintained throughout the Borough by the Borough Council are cleaned and supplied with toilet paper, soap etc and ensure that any defects are reported to the Public Protection Unit.
Healthmatic
The two automatic public conveniences situated in Berwick-Upon-Tweed are leased from, cleansed and kept fully supplied by Healthmatic. Healthmatic is responsible for any defects to the facilities.
Osborne Richardson
Provide an inspector under contract who carried out Health and Safety Inspections on our behalf.
Northumbria Water
This is a short term arrangement in connection with the opening of the Bamburgh Links toilets (owned by NWA) to the public during the summer season.
Parish Councils
The Unit works closely with several parish councils in the Borough to help clean public conveniences not owned by the Borough Council.
Cannon Hygiene Ltd
Provides full pest control service (including after hours service) to domestic properties throughout the Borough.
Newcastle Cat and Dog Shelter/BARK
Provision of kennelling for stray dogs seized by the Dog Warden.
Health and Safety Executive
The Council is responsible to the Health and Safety Commission of health and safety enforcement as is the HSE but for different classifications of premises. We have been working jointly with the HSE on several projects.
Local Strategic Partnership
The LSP is a partnership dedicated to improving the quality of life for all people who live and work in the Borough. The Public Protection Unit takes into consideration the
Health protection Agency
Set up in 2003, The Health Protection Agency's role is to provide an integrated approach to protecting UK public health through the provision of support and advice to the NHS, local authorities etc.
NHS
A wide range of services including Public Health, Health Promotion and Smoking Cessation provide advice and support to the Unit on a regular basis.
Environment Agency
The Unit works with the Environment Agency in a number of ways to prevent or control pollution, including watercourse contamination.
Government Decontamination Service
The Government Decontamination Service provides advice, guidance, management support and contractual arrangements to support authorities like Berwick Upon Tweed Council who will be responsible for decontamination.
Newcastle City Council
Newcastle City Council provides the Authority with analyses of Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) monitoring devices.
Glendale Gateway Trust
The Unit works closely with the Glendale Gateway Trust in connection with Radon gas monitoring and remedial works.
IT Systems
How IT System Supports Service Delivery
Civica Public Protection
(previously known as FLARE)
This is an integrated system used to handle complaints, requests for service and inspection work. It holds an electronic copy of all letters etc received and sent by Public Protection and provides invaluable management data, and search facilities.
Shaws Forms
The complete range of forms and Notices which may be required by Environmental Health maintained in a format to reflect changes in law. This enables officers to quickly accurately and efficiently fill in electronic forms through a modern graphical interface.
EHCNet
EHCnet is an electronic community for environmental health professionals, available by subscription. It provides a secure forum for the exchange of information, advice and good practice. Users also receive environmental health alerts and there is a searchable archive of messages, a document library and a database of environmental health contacts.
101
101 is a new 24-hour number provided by Northumbria Police and District Councils throughout Northumberland to deal with community safety issues, including certain non-emergency crime, policing and anti-social behaviour.
Landmark
Provide the essential contaminated land ’layer’ in geographical information system (GIS. It is a historical database for the whole Borough of sites which are potentially contaminated such as from old landfill sites through to sheep dipping sites and tanneries etc.
British Geological Society (BGS)
Supplier of essential geological detail of what is under the surface of the Borough contributing to a full picture of potential contaminated land sites especially the movement of contamination through the ground.
INC3A Solutions
Automatic vehicle tracking system for use with refuse vehicles.
Refuse Collection/Recycling Collection
A database is currently under test which will be placed on our website for access by staff and the public, to show refuse collection and recycling days of collection.
Achievements: Previous Year & Current Year (to date)
Measure or Milestone
Reference
Target 2006/7
Actual 2006/7
Target 2007/8
Forecast2007/8
Kerbside Recycling scheme expanded to 100% of the Borough
100%
100%
100%
100%
Trial Green waste collection service
200 properties
200 properties
500 properties
50% Borough
Contaminated land records
06/7 - 5
0%
24%
50%
50%
Service requests
06/07 - 9
Respond to 5200 requests for service
5357
5500
5500
Inspection of LAPPC processes
20 premises
100%
20 premises
20 premises
Introduction of Smokefree legislation
06/07 - 3
100%
100%
100%
100%
Success
How Achieved
Lessons Learnt
Street Cleaning – the cleanliness standard was one of the highest in the country as at the end of March 2007. This finding was supported by ENCAMS who carried out independent survey work earlier in the year on behalf of the DETR.
The Street Cleansing service is provided by our contractors Veolia Environmental.
• Even though the public are receiving a very good level of service – they still want better!
• ENCAMS survey highlighted areas of chewing gum removal and street washing desirable.
Implementation of smoke control legislation (from July 1st 2007).We have been advised that the highest levels of compliance with the legislation are in the North East.
We have been working in partnership with other councils in Northumberland and with the NHS smoking cessation service. We received funding for a smokefree officer and sent out information and leaflets to all business premises in the Borough.
• This legislation seems to have been widely welcomed by the public and emphasises the importance of getting the public ‘on your side’.
• Without effective teamwork in the Unit the advance publicity would not have been possible
• Working in partnership with other authorities has helped spread the workload.
Challenge
How Resolved
Outcome
Implementation of smoke control legislation – activity had been limited due to delay in start date of new Head of Public Protection.
High priority given to appointment of Smoke free officer, and staff diverted to publicise smoke free scheme in line with Northumberland protocol.
Successful implementation of the legislation, and high compliance in Borough. Northumberland was selected for in depth inspection by the Department of Health who found there was ‘clear and focussed joint work’
Financial Resources to Deliver Services
Note: This section of the report will be based on information contained in the Budget Book for the current year, in this case 2007/08. The original budget figures for the current financial year will be used as the base line figure for the calculation of cashable and efficiency gains.
Cost Centre
201
Description
Refuse Collection (Client)
Expense
£
Description of Main Activity & Cost
Employees
0
Employees Support
0
Support Services
31,170
Service Management
20,170
Running Costs
928,870
Refuse Collection contracted to Veolia Environmental. Domestic and Trade waste collection – figure includes disposal of trade waste.
Capital Charges
0
Gross Expenditure
980,750
Direct Income - Grants
0
Direct Income – Fees/Charges
317,950
Trade waste fees + other sales.
Recharge Income
0
Net Expenditure
662,800
Cost Centre
204
Description
Environmental Health Services
Expense
£
Description of Main Activity & Cost
Employees
211,530
9FTE staff of which 2 are administration and clerical and 7 are involved in Environmental Health inspection and enforcement work.
NB: One of the FTE administration posts remains unfilled following moratorium on posts.
Employees Support
0
Support Services
34,220
Service Management
26,730
Running Costs
54,170
Includes temporary appointment of Smokefree officer, grants and subscriptions, computer equipment, Dog control, laboratory expenses etc.
Capital Charges
0
Gross Expenditure
326,650
Direct Income - Grants
14,830
One off grant for Smokefree officer.
Direct Income – Fees/Charges
12,250
Licence fees, food hygiene courses, dog control recovery charges etc.
Recharge Income
0
Net Expenditure
299,570
Cost Centre
205
Description
Public Conveniences
Expense
£
Description of Main Activity & Cost
Employees
0
Employees Support
5,180
Cleaning materials, printing, payment to parishes.
Support Services
14,720
Service Management
20,210
Running Costs
200,860
Environment Contract, Water rates and charges, General rates, Leasing,
Capital Charges
29,890
Gross Expenditure
270,860
Direct Income - Grants
0
Direct Income – Fees/Charges
24,450
Customer fees.
Recharge Income
8,000
Net Expenditure
238,410
Cost Centre
206
Description
Recycling
Expense
£
Description of Main Activity & Cost
Employees
0
Employees Support
0
Support Services
4,510
Service Management
24,210
Running Costs
89,340
Contractors charges, equipment, rents & way leaves.
Capital Charges
0
Gross Expenditure
118,060
Direct Income - Grants
11,400
Direct Income – Fees/Charges
42,400
Recycling credits. Charges for removal of recyclables.
Recharge Income
0
Net Expenditure
64,260
Cost Centre
207
Description
Markets
Expense
£
Description of Main Activity & Cost
Employees
10,240
Employees Support
0
Support Services
2,670
Service Management
4,740
Running Costs
34,290
Contractors charges, use of Borough Vehicles, general rates, rents & wayleaves.
Capital Charges
0
Gross Expenditure
51,940
Direct Income - Grants
0
Direct Income – Fees/Charges
75,360
Recharge Income
0
Net Expenditure
23,420
Cost Centre
208
Description
Pest Control
Expense
£
Description of Main Activity & Cost
Employees
0
Employees Support
0
Support Services
0
Service Management
0
Running Costs
10,340
Contractors Charges
Capital Charges
Gross Expenditure
10,340
Direct Income - Grants
0
Direct Income – Fees/Charges
0
Recharge Income
0
Net Expenditure
10,340
Cost Centre
210
Description
Street Sweeping
Expense
£
Description of Main Activity & Cost
Employees
0
Employees Support
0
Support Services
15,980
Service Management
23,900
Running Costs
388,580
Contractors charges, depot rent, equipment.
Capital Charges
0
Gross Expenditure
428,460
Direct Income - Grants
Direct Income – Fees/Charges
3,800
Recharge to NCC
Recharge Income
43,990
Recharge to services
Net Expenditure
380,670
Capital Works
Name
Budget
Current Position
G01 Extension kerb recycling Scheme
£7,970
Pilot green waste scheme has been successful – Committee report to go for permission to extend kerbside green waste scheme in time of growing season in 2007-08.
G66 Public Convenience Improvement Plan
£24,000
Works to be carried out at end of season to minimise disruption
G97 Waste Management & Efficiency
£26,888
Funding to be spent in current financial year in order to achieve further waste management efficiencies.
£58,888
Value for Money Assessment
Efficiency Measure
BBC
Local
National
Cost of waste collection per household (BVPI 86 2006/07)
£45.26
E.g. Tynedale
£53.00
Average
£49.71
Percentage of land falling below standard (BVPI 199a)
1%
Average
4.15%
Top Quartile
8%
Satisfaction with recycling facilities (BVPI 90b)
70%
e.g Castle Morpeth 71%
Top quartile 76%
Satisfaction with cleaning of land (BVPI 89)
72%
e.g Castle Morpeth 68%
Top quartile 74%
Environmental Services Enforcement Best Practice (BVPI 166a)
100%
Average
82.9%
Top Quartile 98.7%
Total spending on environment (Audit Commission value for money assessment)
Upper quartile
Total spending on street cleansing (Audit Commission value for money assessment)
Upper quartile
Total spending on waste collection (Audit Commission value for money assessment)
Lower quartile
Total spending on environmental health and public health services (Audit Commission value for money assessment)
Upper quartile @ £15 per head.
Efficiency Measure
Reason for Difference to Local / National Trend
Cost of waste collection per household (BVPI 86 2006/07)
The costs of provision of services such as waste collection are much higher in rural areas with sparse population.
Spending on street cleansing
Spending on street cleansing is thought by the Audit Commission to be higher than average but there is a very high standard obtained, although residents would like a still higher standard.
Please complete the three following tables (if applicable) indicating how partnership working, IT systems or adherence to / achievement of quality standards have contributed to value for money.
Service Partner Providers
How Partner Supports Service VFM
Veolia Environmental
Costs are standardised, and the quality of service is good. Having a large organisation as a partner increases resources available, and spreads risk.
Cannon Hygiene Ltd
Externalising the service has ensured that an excellent service is provided at less cost than an in house service.
IT Systems
How IT System Supports VFM
Civica Public Protection
Provision of an electronic data control system is helping the unit work towards being paperless. Time (cost) is saved in accessing and administrating information and in handling data for statutory returns.
How Service Links to Council Priorities
This section contains the same information as collected in the previous year’s budget setting process. The priorities will be reviewed by the Members and either modified or confirmed as consistent (remaining the same as last year). The data provided on this document will be summarised and challenged at Corporate Management Team for content and consistency.
Priority
Description of how service contributes to Council Priority
1
The Public Protection Unit is very customer focussed and works to make continuous service improvements e.g. through its programme of Equality Impact Assessments.
2
The Public Protection Unit administers services such as the provision of a trade waste service, and comments on planning applications, which facilitate the development of town centres.
3
The Unit contributes to improving housing choice by ensuring disrepair is attended to, and by working to bring empty properties back into occupation.
4
The Public Protection Unit helps promote business growth in the Borough through the provision of advice to businesses, and working with the business community to help them comply with legal requirements.
5
Where appropriate the Public protection Unit seeks sustainable partnerships.
6
The Unit helps enhance tourism by ensuring the Borough is clean and tidy, and that litter bins and dog waste bins are regularly emptied. The Unit also ensures that public conveniences throughout the Borough are kept clean and in reasonable repair.
7
Every effort is made to ensure that all services provided by the Unit are accessible such as by providing a ‘pull out’ service for residents unable to put their waste or recycling bins by the kerb for collection. Information can be provided in a range of formats and languages.
8
The majority of the Units budget is spent on the provision of services which help maintain a cleaner, greener local environment including refuse collection, recycling, street cleansing, litter and fly tipping removal. Public protection officers also help to prevent and control air pollution, give advice on contaminated land, and are working on climate change reduction.
9
A substantial part of the work carried out by Public Protection staff and our Contractors helps create safer local communities, such as work to prevent fly tipping, graffiti removal, littering, and the prevention or control of noise and other nuisances.
10
The Public protection Unit has limited input into the Council Priority of influencing transport improvements
11
The Public protection Unit has limited input into the Council Priority of developing Dynamic leadership
12
The public protection Unit works to ensure that while people are enjoying a diverse and exciting cultural opportunities they are doing so safely and without risk to their health or causing a nuisance to others.
Contribution to Other Five C’s
Outcome Factor
Description of how service contributes to “C” Factor
Customers
The Public protection Unit is very customer focussed and the waste collection services it provides are a very high priority service for the public reaching every home, every week throughout the Borough. We try to make sure that all the services we provided are accessible to all.
Communication
We are working to ensure that as well as effective communications with our customers, communications within the unit are good, and that we work effectively with other service units. An increasing number of projects are being worked on as joint initiatives.
Cohesion
The unit works to promote cohesion in the community through its work in dealing with anti social behaviour such as noise, fly tipping etc. The Unit will also continue to work effectively with other service units of the Authority, and its partners at every opportunity.
Culture
The Public Protection Unit wants to promote a positive and inclusive culture, where staff feel valued and empowered. Regular staff meetings are held and staff encouraged to make a contribution.
Compliance
Regular unit meetings are our method of ensuring new council policies, practices and procedures, are brought to the attention to all staff, and queries dealt with. This is supported by the use of the Councils Intranet system for disseminating information to other members of staff and Councillors, or placed on the Intranet site for future reference.
To ensure that relevant Council policies and procedures are brought to the attention of our contractors, regular liaison meetings are held
Documented 1:1 meetings take place between the Director of the Environment and The Head of Public protection to ensure that policies, and procedures such as annual staff appraisals are being complied with.
Service Proposals for next 3 Years
Measure / Milestone
Reference
Forecast2007/8
Target 2008/9
Target 2009/10
Target 2010/11
Service Request responses
PP/1/07-08
>75% within 3 days
>80% within 3 days
>90% within 3 days
>95% within 3 days
Inspection of programmed Food Hygiene premises
PP2/07-08
100%
100%
100%
100%
Inspection of programmed health and safety premises
PP3/07-08
100%
100%
100%
100%
Establish contract with BARK
PP4/07-08
Completed
Contaminated Land data
PP5/07-08
30%
75%
100%
100%
Explore options for seagull control
PP6/07-08
Completed
Collection of data on empty homes/over the shop.
PP9/07-08
Survey
Completed
Inspection of LAPPC premises
PP10/07-08
20 premises
20 premises
20 premises
20 premises
Assessment of domestic dwelling for presence of Radon gas.
PP11/07-08
33%
33%
33%
Assessment of commercial premises for presence of Radon gas to be investigated.
PP12/07-08
100% completed
Water Act S. 101 improvements to sewerage systems – One system per annum for three years.
PP13/07-08
100% completed
100% completed
100% completed
Renovation programme for Public Conveniences (Capital). One convenience per annum.
PP14/07-08
100% completed
100% completed
100% completed
100% completed
Programme of street washing and chewing gum removal to be developed with Town Centre manager
PP15/07-08
100% completed
100% completed
100% completed
100% completed
These targets will feed directly into the Best Value Performance Plan. Once the targets have been established and agreed (in principle) with the Head of Service or Director, an assessment of resources required should be made in the next table.
Measure / Milestone
Reference
Resources Needed
Less
Same
More
Service Request responses
PP/1/07-08
P
Inspection of programmed Food Hygiene premises
PP2/07-08
P
Inspection of programmed health and safety premises
PP3/07-08
P
Upgrade of Civica/Flare computer record system
PP4/07-08
P
Establish contract with BARK
PP5/07-08
P
Contaminated Land data
PP6/07-08
P
Explore options for seagull control
PP9/07-08
P
Collection of data on empty homes/over the shop.
PP10/07-08
P
Inspection of LAPPC premises
PP11/07-08
P
Assessment of domestic dwelling for presence of Radon gas.
PP12/07-08
P
Assessment of commercial premises for presence of Radon gas to be investigated.
PP13/07-08
P
Investigation of council owned land to determine if it is contaminated land
PP14/07-08
P
Water Act S. 101 improvements to sewerage systems – One system per annum for three years.
PP15/07-08
P
Renovation programme for Public Conveniences (Capital). One convenience per annum.
PP16/07-08
P
Programme of street washing and chewing gum removal to be developed with Town Centre manager
PP17/07-08
P
The achievements of some of these targets will be achievable within existing or reduced resources.
Where service improvements are linked to more resources a ProjectBrief (template available on the Intranet) should be completed and submitted to the Programme Improvement Board.
Where service improvements are linked to less resources, the proposals for savings should be identified in the Proposals to Achieve Cashable & Efficiency Gains section.
Breach of contract with Veolia 2 years into a 5 year contract costing £604,760 pa - Negotiation out of the contract would have a significant financial impact
Massive accumulation of refuse at domestic and trade premises
Cessation of kerbside recycling service - no recycling collected
Cessation of trade refuse service
No service to remove hazardous or clinical waste from households
No service to remove bulky items from households
Non participation in the NCC Waste PFI which is relying upon predicted amounts of refuse for recycling
Breach of statutory obligations under environmental protection act 1990
Possible redundancy for council staff who provide support services to this function
Impact Assessed as:
Measures of Impact
potential cost relating to contract of 3 £604,760
loss of income from trade refuse service
the reduction in environmental quality due to accumulation of refuse, illegal deposit of materials and flytipping BVPI 199
the increase in pest infestation reports
the increase in complaints from residents about smell, risk of fire, pests, ill health
possible increases in infectious disease
reduction in BVPI performance 82, 84 and 91
Catastrophic
Budget Code
Refuse Collection (Client)
Risk Assessment
Scenario
Reduction of 3%
Assigned To
.
Risk Factors
.
Likelihood Assessed as:
Financial Cost
.
Very High
Potential Effect
Contract with Veolia would need to be renegotiated.
3% saving would be £19,884.
Impact Assessed as:
Measures of Impact
reduced level of service to public
Increased numbers of complaints from public
Critical
Budget Code
Refuse Collection (Client)
Risk Assessment
Scenario
Reduction of 10%
Assigned To
.
Risk Factors
.
Likelihood Assessed as:
Financial Cost
.
Very High
Potential Effect
The estimated saving would be £66,280
This would have an effect upon the Veolia contract which would need to be renegotiated
Impact Assessed as:
Measures of Impact
reduced level of service to public
Increased numbers of complaints from public
Decrease in BVPI satisfaction levels
Critical
Budget Code
Environmental Health Services
Risk Assessment
Scenario
Cessation of Service
Assigned To
.
Risk Factors
.
Likelihood Assessed as:
Financial Cost
£27,080.00
Very High
Potential Effect
Failure of a wide range of statutory functions
No contribution to Council priority "Improving Housing Choice"
Failure to protect the health and wellbeing of the public in the Borough
Health and Safety enforcement work not undertaken
Dog Warden service not provided to collect strays
Contaminated land not dealt with
loss of income from various licencing activities £12,000
Impact Assessed as:
Measures of Impact
BVPI
change in reported cases of food related illness
numbers of complaints from residents about noise, nuisance
Increase in numbers of accidents/fatalities in premises
uncontrolled incidents of pollution
Critical
Budget Code
Environmental Health Services
Risk Assessment
Scenario
Reduction of 3%
Assigned To
.
Risk Factors
.
Likelihood Assessed as:
Financial Cost
.
High
Potential Effect
requirement to negotiate out end of contract with pest control company which is 3+2 years from June 2004
Increase in pest activity in the Borough.
Impact Assessed as:
Measures of Impact
change in requests for pest control treatment
complaints concerning nesting seagulls
frequency and distribution of pest infestations
ability to meet requirements of food Standards Agency, HSE, GONE and suit commission
Critical
Budet Code
Environmental Health Services
Risk Assessment
Scenario
Reduction of 10%
Assigned To
.
Risk Factors
.
Likelihood Assessed as:
Financial Cost
.
High
Potential Effect
requirement to negotiate out end of contract with pest control company which is 3+2 years from June 2004
Impact Assessed as:
Measures of Impact
change in requests for pest control treatment
frequency and distribution of pest infestations
ability to meet requirements of food Standards Agency, HSE, GONE and suit commission
Critical
Budget Code
Public Conveniences
Risk Assessment
Scenario
Cessation of Service
Assigned To
.
Risk Factors
.
Likelihood Assessed as:
Financial Cost
£561,150.00
High
Potential Effect
breach of contract with Superclean - 2 year onto a 4 year term @ 116,550pa
breach of contract with Healthmatic - 2 year onto a 20 year lease @36,950 pa potential break clause @10 years
breach of contractural? arrangement with NCC
use of the environment as a toilet resultant nuisance to neighbouring property.
Loss of tourist trade
Impact Assessed as:
Measures of Impact
potential contractural costs of £528,700
loss of income £32,450
complaints from public,visitors and public re lack of facilities
Critical
Budget Code
Public Conveniences
Risk Assessment
Scenario
Reduction of 3%
Assigned To
.
Risk Factors
.
Likelihood Assessed as:
Financial Cost
.
Low
Potential Effect
less maintenance and repair work to convenience
use of environment as a toilet
Could either reduce maintenance level or close selected facilities.
Impact Assessed as:
Measures of Impact
complaint concerning state of repair of conveniences
accidents to members of the public
Closure of facility would cause local complaints and have localised effect on tourism
Significant
Budet Code
Public Conveniences
Risk Assessment
Scenario
Reduction of 10%
Assigned To
.
Risk Factors
.
Likelihood Assessed as:
Financial Cost
.
High
Potential Effect
less maintenance and repair work to convenience
use of environment as a toilet
Could also close a number of the facilities.
Impact Assessed as:
Measures of Impact
complaint concerning state of repair of conveniences
accidents to members of the public
Closure of a number of facilities would cause local complaints
Critical
Budget Code
Recycling
Risk Assessment
Scenario
Cessation of Service
Assigned To
.
Risk Factors
Likelihood Assessed as:
Financial Cost
£313,800.00
Very High
Potential Effect
Breach of contract with Veolia which is 2 years into a 5 year term
NCC have negotiated waste PFI as part of strategy for Northumberland and have factored in our recycling contribution
failure of statutory function under the Environmental Protection Act 1990
Impact Assessed as:
Measures of Impact
potential cost could be £260,000 for breaking contract with Veolia
Loss of income from recycled materials£53,800
increase in costs to landfill waste
increase in fly-tipped waste or contamination of bins with glass
BVPI indicators 82 and 91 would show decline in council performance
Catastrophic
Budget Code
Recycling
Risk Assessment
Scenario
Reduction of 3%
Assigned To
.
Risk Factors
.
Likelihood Assessed as:
Financial Cost
.
Very High
Potential Effect
Cessation of contract with Meg Smith during 2007/08
Some spare capacity in recycling vehicle no longer taking paper to Durham
Increasing pressure from the public for more recycling, not less.
Would need to negotiate change in recycling contract with Veolia
Impact Assessed as:
Measures of Impact
savings realised
Catastrophic
Budget Code
Recycling
Risk Assessment
Scenario
Copy of Reduction of 10%
Assigned To
.
Risk Factors
.
Likelihood Assessed as:
Financial Cost
.
Very High
Potential Effect
Cessation of contract with Meg Smith during 2007/08
Some spare capacity in recycling vehicle no longer taking paper to Durham
Would need to negotiate change in recycling contract with Veolia.
Impact Assessed as:
Measures of Impact
savings realised
Catastrophic
Budget Code
Markets
Risk Assessment
Scenario
Cessation of Service
Assigned To
.
Risk Factors
.
Likelihood Assessed as:
Financial Cost
£73,500.00
High
Potential Effect
less visitors to town loss of income from market rents loss of employee requirement to renegotiate contract with Veolia is street sweeping operation after market is stopped
Impact Assessed as:
Measures of Impact
loss of income from market rents
uncontrolled trading on street
Significant
Budget Code
Markets
Risk Assessment
Scenario
Reduction of 3%
Assigned To
.
Risk Factors
.
Likelihood Assessed as:
Financial Cost
£73,500.00
.
Potential Effect
loss of Market superintendent - no one to collect fees
change to Veolia contract for cleaning after market need to be negotiated
Impact Assessed as:
Measures of Impact
income generation
increased mess in street
uncontrolled traders and trading activities
.
Budget Code
Markets
Risk Assessment
Scenario
Reduction of 10%
Assigned To
.
Risk Factors
.
Likelihood Assessed as:
Financial Cost
£73,500.00
.
Potential Effect
loss of Market superintendent - no one to collect fees
change to Veolia contract for cleaning after market need to be negotiated
Impact Assessed as:
Measures of Impact
income generation
increased mess in street
uncontrolled traders and trading activities
.
Budget Code
Street Sweeping
Risk Assessment
Scenario
Cessation of Service
Assigned To
.
Risk Factors
.
Likelihood Assessed as:
Financial Cost
£1,110,660.00
Very High
Potential Effect
Streets and car parks of borough settlements would not be kept clear of litter
Litter and dog bins would not be emptied
Breach of contract with Veolia 2 years into a 5 year contract costing £370,220 pa
loss of income - £3800 from work done for NCC
redundancy amongst staff providing support to the service
Breach of a statutory obligation upon the council
Non clearance of fly tipping and debris after road accidents
Impact Assessed as:
Measures of Impact
the amount of litter and debris in streets and carparks
change in BVPI 199
Complaints from residents and visitors
Cost of negotiating out of the contract with Veolia
Critical
Budget Code
Street Sweeping
Risk Assessment
Scenario
Reduction of 3%
Assigned To
.
Risk Factors
.
Likelihood Assessed as:
Financial Cost
.
Very High
Potential Effect
to achieve a 3% reduction in this service cost would require renegotiation of the contract with Veolia over a reduction in the service that they provide
Fewer street cleansing operations carried out
Reduction in number of litter and dog bins provided and emptied
Increase in amount of litter, dog fouling
Impact Assessed as:
Measures of Impact
complaints about uncleanliness of streets or overflowing litter and dog bins
complaints about the non removal of fly tips and graffiti
changes in BVPI 199
costs of renegotiating contract
Critical
Budget Code
Street Sweeping
Risk Assessment
Scenario
Reduction of 10%
Assigned To
.
Risk Factors
.
Likelihood Assessed as:
Financial Cost
.
Very High
Potential Effect
to achieve a 10% reduction in this service cost would require renegotiation of the contract with Veolia over a reduction in the service that they provide
Fewer street cleansing operations carried out
Reduction in number of litter and dog bins provided and emptied
Increase in amount of litter, dog fouling
Impact Assessed as:
Measures of Impact
complaints about uncleanliness of streets or overflowing litter and dog bins
complaints about the non removal of fly tips and graffiti
changes in BVPI 199
costs of renegotiating contract
Catastrophic
Proposals to reduce Cashable resource requirement by 3%
No
Description of Proposal
Value (£)
Timing
1
Closure of one public convenience. It is suggested that the public conveniences are rated on usage, condition, need. Depending on facility selected closure could be at end of season ie mid September 2007/08. Figure suggested is average saving on general rates and Water rates.
£1,813
2007/08
Proposals to reduce resource requirement by 10% (Cashable or Efficiency Effect)
No
Description of Proposal
Value (£)
Timing
1
Closure of more than one public convenience. It is suggested that the public conveniences are rated on usage, condition, need. Depending on facilities selected closure could be at end of season ie mid September 2007/08.
