Environment Service

Environment Service Plan 2009 – 2012

Introduction

The Environment Service is focused on working to achieve the Council's vision and objectives for the District. We support the delivery of the Community Strategy, Corporate Plan, Theme Business Plans and Council priorities in relation to the services of Building Control, Development Management, Environmental Health, Open Space and Amenities, Waste and Street Scene.

Whilst many of these services operate with an advisory approach, all regulatory responsibilities are based on Acts, Regulations and/or Directives with Officers working under detailed guidance, policies and professional practice.

From 1 May 2009 the Council formally commenced shared service arrangements with Hambleton District Council, in particular with a permanent shared Chief Executive and Strategic Management Team. One of the first services to be progressed on a shared basis is domestic refuse collection and recycling, with a 3 year programme leading to full integration of the refuse collection service in 2012. Environmental Health became a shared service on 1st April 2010 and is working towards full integration. On that same date the Building Control function was moved into the North Yorkshire Building Control Partnerships which is a consortium of 5 local authorities in North Yorkshire.

Our Management Structure

The services are delivered through the Environment Management Team consisting of the following:

Maurice Cann - Head of Regulatory Services

Eric Kendall - Head of Waste Services

Peter Featherstone - Head of Development Management

Gary Brown - Head of Waste and Street Scene

Philip Mepham - Environmental Health Manager

Gary Hudson - Head of Open Spaces and Amenities

Building Control

As stated above this service is now provided through the North Yorkshire Building Control Partnership. They can be contacted on 01347 822703 or buildingcontrol@ryedale.gov.uk

Development Management

The service includes all aspects of planning and development control other than planning policy, under the Town and Country Planning Acts. (NB – this does not apply to development activities within the area of the Yorkshire Dales National Park). The service seeks to take a positive approach to managing the development process and change in the built environment, in accordance with Council policies and strategies and with strong community engagement, to deliver high quality sustainable developments.

Planning applications and controls over trees, hedgerows, advertisements etc are supported by strong enforcement activity.

In addition, the conservation and regeneration function is responsible for protecting and enhancing the district’s built heritage. Conservation of the built environment is a high priority and the driving force for regeneration of the historic assets in the district. Grant schemes are available to assist in delivering conservation and regeneration objectives.

For more information on the Development Management Service, please contact Peter Featherstone, Head of Development Management

Environmental Health

The service aims to protect public health in a variety of ways including food safety, health and safety at work, monitoring of private water supplies, pest control, noise control, pollution control, contaminated land, general nuisances and national assistance burials.

In addition, the service has responsibility for all the Council’s licensing functions for a wide range of licences including alcohol, entertainment, taxis, animal welfare, caravan sites and gambling etc.

For more information on the Environmental Health Service, please contact Philip Mepham, Head of Environmental Health.

Open Space and Amenities

The service aims to provide and maintain quality open space and recreation areas throughout the district for residents and visitors. This includes amenity parks, woodlands, riverside walks and play areas.

The service also has responsibility for public toilets, car parks, cemeteries and cleaning of the Council’s public buildings and offices.

For more information on the Open Spaces and Amenities Service, please contact Gary Hudson, Head of Open Spaces and Amenities

Waste and Street Scene

The service has responsibility for refuse collection, recycling and commercial waste. The recycling activities include kerbside collection of garden waste and dry materials as well as the provision of ‘bring-to’ recycling sites around the district.

The service also undertakes street cleaning, the wider role of ‘street scene’ and dealing with environmental crime. This includes abandoned vehicles, fly tips, litter dog fouling and stray dogs.

Additional duties include the cleaning of public toilets and responsibility for the Council’s vehicle fleet.

For more information on the Waste and Street Scene Service, please contact Amanda Dyson, Waste Management Officer or Terry Thorpe, Street Scene Supervisor

Service Objectives

Key objectives for the Environment Service are as follows:

To undertake statutory duties in accordance with legislative requirements, relevant guidance and best practice.
To provide an effective and efficient service to all customers.
To maintain all services within the available budgetary provision
To respond to the needs of customers.
To contribute to Council priorities and the objectives of the Community Strategy, Council Plan, Theme Business Plans and Local Area Agreements etc.
To actively participate in partnership initiatives which enhance service provision.

For further information about the Environment Service and its business plans please contact Maurice Cann for Planning and Environmental Health issues or Eric Kendall in relation to Waste and Street Scene

Key Drivers

The main driver is the extensive legislative requirements for the whole range of Environment Service functions. The Council's Scheme of Delegation, which is currently under review, lists the main Statutory Instruments.

Key drivers outside of legislation include:

General

Council Plan 2008-2013

Themed Business Plans 2008-2013

Waste and Street Scene

The Council's Integrated Waste Management Strategy 2005-2018 and associated action plan.

Membership of the York and North Yorkshire Waste Partnership including a range of partnership strategies and policies relating to refuse collection, recycling and waste minimisation. – Waste Strategy, Service Level Agreement Legislation

Environmental Health

The Council’s Contaminated Land Strategy.

The North Yorkshire Quality Management System for Food Safety (ISO Accredited) and Health and Safety at Work. This includes inter–authority auditing on an annual basis.

The Council’s Food Safety Service Plan.

The Council’s Health and Safety Service Plan.

The Health and Safety Commission Revitalising Health programme and the associated Local Authority/Health and Safety Executive Joint Initiatives Act.

The Council’s Licensing Policy.

The Council’s Gambling Act Policy

For more information please contact: Philip Mepham, Environmental Health Manager.

Development Management

Richmondshire Local Plan 1999-2006

Legislation and Government Policy Statements

For more information please contact: Peter Featherstone, Head of Development Management

Open Spaces and Amenities

Woodland Management Survey (working with key partners)

Health and Safety Service Plan

Richmondshire Play Partnership (Play Park Strategy)

For more information please contact: Gary Hudson, Head of Open Spaces and Amenities

Key Actions

Key actions in support of our Corporate and Themed Business Plans, delivered by the Service, can be found in Green Living and Safe Places Theme Business Plans.

Actions to support our service objectives

Development Management

The service includes all aspects of planning and development control under the Town and Country Planning Acts. (NB – this does not apply to development activities within the area of the Yorkshire Dales National Park). The service seeks to take a positive approach to managing the development process and change in the built environment, in accordance with Council policies and strategies and with strong community engagement, to deliver high quality sustainable developments.

Planning applications and controls over trees, hedgerows, advertisements etc are supported by strong enforcement activity.

Environmental Health

Open Space and Amenities

The service also has responsibility for public toilets, car parks, cemeteries and cleaning of the Council's public buildings and offices.

Waste and Street Scene

The service has responsibility for refuse collection and recycling. The recycling activities include kerbside collection of garden waste and dry materials as well as the provision of 'bring-to' recycling sites around the district.

The service also undertakes street cleaning, the wider role of 'street scene' and dealing with environmental crime. This includes abandoned vehicles, fly tips, litter dog fouling and stray dogs.

Additional duties include the cleaning of public toilets and responsibility for the Council's vehicle fleet.

Other actions

There are a number of other actions for the Environment Management Team (EMT)

Key performance indicators for the service

Find out about the core performance measures, indicators and targets for the Environment Service.

Print page Last updated: 02 September 2010

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