Agenda item

To provide Members with an update on enforcement activity across the Council (report of the Assistant Director – Wellbeing and Community Leadership enclosed).

Consideration was given to the report of the Assistant Director – Wellbeing and Community Leadership to provide members with an update on enforcement activity across the Council.

The Community Safety and Enforcement Manager introduced the report which updated the Panel on enforcement data and activity relating to:

·         Community Safety and enforcement;

·         Housing;

·         Environmental Protection;

·         Food health and safety;

·         Licensing; and

·         Environmental crime

Since the report had been written, a court case on 6 June 2022 had resulted in a guilty charge for fly tipping of tyres in Sutton Bridge. Ongoing cases were under investigation in areas of Tydd St Mary, Gedney Hill, Donington, Long Sutton and Surfleet.

Members considered the report and made the following comments:

• Members queried the fixed penalty amount for fly tips.
  • The Community Safety and Enforcement Manager confirmed that the fixed penalty was £200 however prosecutions would be pursued where the penalty was not deemed suitable for the size of the crime. A recent prosecution had proved successful and
• Members acknowledged the challenges in identifying fly tipping culprits and asked if CCTV cameras would assist.
  • The Community Safety and Enforcement Manager confirmed that cameras would be installed in due course to assist with the issue: site visits had taken place; cameras were held; and installation would follow the completion of GPDR considerations

• Members welcomed the review to investigate the contracting out of the fly tipping enforcement service and of the progress being made towards the use of CCTV. Enforcement activity was impressive however prosecutions were low compared to the number of incidences in rural areas, particularly in Crowland and Deeping St Nicholas, and members requested reassurance that investigations would take place in all areas of the district where evidence was held. Prosecutions needed to increase.
  • The Community Safety and Enforcement Manager confirmed that all incidences were investigated where evidence was held. A fixed penalty notice had been issued on 6 June 2022 for a small fly tip in Crowland. Work was underway to publicise successful enforcements which would act as a prevention measure. The recent court prosecution had imposed a fine of £2710 with costs of £404 and a surcharge of £190.

• Members asked whether fly tipping prosecution data was available so that South Holland District Council’s performance could be compared with other authorities in the S&ELCP.
  • The Community Safety and Enforcement Manager confirmed that the information was freely available on a public website and that the link would be shared with the Panel.

• Members acknowledged the valuable work of the Community Wardens. Were the posts permanent?
  • The Community Safety and Enforcement Manager confirmed that the Community Warden posts had previously been externally funded but were now permanent posts.

• Members stated that the early presentation of waste was a problem throughout the district and prosecutions needed to take place. Where properties were rented, agents and property owners should be involved.
  • The Community Safety and Enforcement Manager stated that the Community Wardens targeted key areas and evidence was used where this was available. A considerable resource had been directed at the problem which included advice and education of council policy and enforcement. A high turnover of residents in some areas had necessitated an increased programme of education and advice. The targeted approach had been in place for a few months and positive results were being achieved.

AGREED:

a)    That the report be noted; and

That the data within the report be provided on a quarterly basis to Members as part of the Performance report going forward for more regular updates.