Agenda item

Report of the Director of the Built Environment.

The Committee received a report of the Director of the Built Environment on the update on the temporary alterations to Cleansing Service activities in response to Covid-19.

The report outlines the action the Department had taken since the outbreak of COVID-19. The Committee was informed that the main priority of the Department at present was to ensure the safety of the public and City of London staff. Members were informed that the Department is working on ensuring that its priorities are maintained, and the service level has been adjusted. 

The Committee was further informed that the City’s water refill points remained out of service, as did a number of other services, such as the internal collection of bulk items from residential properties and the garden waste recycle trial.

The Assistant Director - Cleansing Operations and Street Environment  - advised the Committee that the Department was looking at the  re-opening  of the City’s four automatic public conveniences along with attended conveniences at Tower Hill and Paternoster Square opening first, with the intentions to open the Royal Exchange on a later date, if it is safe to do so. Members were advised that, at present, it was not considered safe to open the attended public convenience at Eastcheap.

A Member stated that the COVID-19 pandemic now seemed to be a long-term issue, and questioned whether this, coupled with the City’s working population decreasing, would impact on the Department’s budget.  The Assistant Director - Cleansing Operations and Street Environment - advised the Committee that, as part of the cost savings the Department were no longer using any agency staff for the Cleansing Contract.

The Chairman thanked the team for their handwork during this difficult time.

RESOLVED – Members noted the content of the report.