Issue - meetings

The Executive Member for Community Safety and Environment submitted a report setting out the implications of the changes resulting from the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 on the Council’s Environmental Crime Policy.  The report also sought approval to consult on the consolidation of existing dog control powers within a Public Space Protection Order.

The Environmental Inspection Team Manager provided a summary of the new legislation and the Council’s approach to those changes.

In response to a query from Councillor P Philips regarding arrangements around car littering and enforcement, the Environmental Inspection Team Manager explained the importance of partnership working, especially with the Police, local intelligence and the use of publicity to achieve successful enforcement. 

In response to a query from Councillor K Brush regarding the number of Fixed Penalty Charges imposed, the Environmental Inspection Team Manager confirmed that 86 had been issued. 

In response to a query from Councillor K Crofton regarding anti-social behaviour in housing and public open spaces, the Environmental Inspection Team Manager stated that these environmental nuisances were enforced via a Community Protection Notice.  The Head of Environmental Services provided a summary of the Council’s policy on environmental crime adding that the new legislation emphasised a partnership approach.  By way of example, he cited working with registered social housing providers to apply for a combined notice where seriously detrimental behaviour was occurring.

In response to a query from Councillor T Page, regarding timescales between allegations of anti-social behaviour and action taken, the Environmental Inspection Team Manager stated that it depended on the incident, adding that noise nuisance might be dealt with quite simply.  However, other behaviours might require informal warnings following by a formal warning process and time to collect evidence to show the problem was ‘persistent and substantial’ under the legislation.

The Environmental Inspection Team Manager referred to the issue of dog fouling and the important role to be played by Parish Councils and local intelligence in securing successful enforcement.

The Committee supported the recommendations now detailed.

          RESOLVED – that the Executive be      advised that (A) the Draft Environment           Crime Enforcement Policy, as now        submitted, be approved subject to public               consultation;

          (B) consultation be undertaken on the   replacement of the three existing dog control        orders with one consolidation Public Space   Protection Order; and

          (C)    consultation be undertaken on three     potential new offences for inclusion in the          order, namely, making it an offence to fail to pick up after a dog, to fail to have the means           to pick up after a dog and failing to put a dog          on a lead when directed to do so by an        Officer.