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(a) Ghost Bid
The Director of Customer Services gave a brief overview of the Great Yarmouth Borough Services Ghost Bid, she advised that an opportunity had arisen for the Joint Venture to be subject to a ghost bidding process in partnership with North Norfolk and Broadland District Councils. The proposed Ghost BID would enable the Borough Council to assess whether the Joint Venture presents the best value for money delivery of the services in the best way for the Borough.
A Member asked how much the ghost bidding process would cost, and it was advised that the bidding process would be found from within existing budgets and was likely to cost £3,000 to £4,000.
A Member asked what would happen if once the ghost bid was complete it was proven that the Joint Venture did not represent best value. The Director of Customer Services advised that a number of options would be considered.
A Member asked whether the costs involved with the Joint Venture were regularly reviewed. The Director of Customer Services advised that a breakdown of costs are discussed at Liaison Board meetings.
RESOLVED :
That the Committee note the information held within the Great Yarmouth Borough Services, Ghost Bid Report.
(b) Quality Audit of GYB Services
The Group Manager (Environmental Services) provided Members with a brief overview of the contents in relation to the Quality Audit of GYB Services report which set out to advise Members of the Auditing process which included two different but related processes, a visual survey and a audit of GYBS systems that are in place as part of the grounds maintenance and street cleansing functions.
The visual survey was undertaken over a period of two weeks in early July by the Environmental Ranger. The survey looked at high profile areas of the Great Yarmouth and Gorleston Seafronts and took in a random selection of other main roads and residential streets. Some of the areas targeted were those where complaints had been received from both elected Members and members of the public.
The survey looked at four areas of street scene :-
- Litter
- Grass Cutting
- Detritus in street gullies
- Weed Growth
The Paper Audit of GYBS procedural arrangements together with relevant paperwork was undertaken on the 14 July 2016. The audit looked at the procedures in place relevant to the staff delivering the service, the quality procedures in house at GYBS and the relationship to Norse quality processes.
A spot check of areas tended to back up the views of the Environment Rangers visual survey. Both the seafront areas were considered to be very good from both grounds maintenance and cleansing point of views. Gorleston was also considered good with noted recovery of the grass verges following the spraying incident earlier in the year.
A walk around the streets between Camperdown and Devonshire Road found litter and detritus at a level that required cleansing and this was picked up by the GYBS personnel accompanying the inspection. The Cliff Park area to the rear of Gorleston Seafront was found to be in general good condition.
The Group Manager (Environmental Services) advised that an audit of GYB Services will be completed on a regular basis.
A Member raised concern in relation to the grass cutting and mechanical sweepers. The Chairman advised that the these issues had also been raised at the meeting of the GYBS Liaison Board.
A Member asked in relation to an area on Gorleston Cliff top that was overrun with weeds. The Group Manager (Environmental Services) advised that this matter would be looked into.
A Member raised concern in regards to the removal of bags of street sweepings left beside the bins by the street sweepers in Church Road. The member stated that bags had been left here uncollected for a number of days and were becoming split and attracting other rubbish. It was advised that the matter would be fed back to GYB Services as a matter of urgency.
The Director of Customer Services referred to an email that had been received from Simon Mutton, GYB Services the email gave detail of the deployment of additional Services within the Borough to deal with issues that had been raised. The Chairman suggested that this matter be reviewed in four weeks. A Member asked if a press statement would be released to advise the information given by GYB Services to residents within the Borough. The Chairman advised that a Press notice was to be arranged.
A Member asked in relation to the clearing of drains, and was advised that drains were the responsibility of Norfolk County Council.
The Chairman advised that the County Council had agreed to an extra £20,000 to be spent on extra verge cutting on roads across the County. Concern was raised in relation to land ownership between Norfolk County Council and Great Yarmouth Council.
A Member asked in relation to the grass cutting on roundabouts. It was pointed out that Highways England had started cutting the grass although this was to a very basic standard, and would only be cut 3 times a year.
RESOLVED :
That the Committee agree that a further update be submitted to the next meeting to discuss.