Issue - meetings

Report ES13127

The Committee received an update on the use of Kingdom Security Ltd to provide an enforcement service serving fixed penalty notices (FPNs) for littering and dog fouling offences and outlining a strategy for the future delivery of this service.

The Committee noted that there was currently a net cost for the contract, partly as a result of low recovery rates for the Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) issued which now stood at 47%. Members questioned whether the initial expectations of recovery rates had been too ambitious, and suggested that there was a need for a wider programme of education, possibly on a pan-London basis. They also mentioned anecdotal evidence of people being penalised for dropping items by mistake, or smokers being penalised for stubbing out cigarettes on the floor without being given the opportunity to pick up the stub. Officers confirmed that enforcement officers were trained to avoid this, and that FPNs issued by over-zealous officers had been voided.

There were a number of factors related to the low rate of recovery, including difficulties with obtaining correct identification, problems with the IT system (officers were looking at using the parking system instead), the need for robust processing and ensuring that tickets were only issued that could be enforced. Officers were investigating the recovery rates and approaches taken by other Councils, such as Enfield, Croydon and Medway, including offering discounts for early payment. Members questioned whether it was possible to measure the value of the deterrent effect of the contract and prove that littering was reduced. This was difficult to achieve, and officers were not aware of any other councils that had found a suitable methodology, but this would be investigated as part of preparing for the new contract. Officers were looking at different delivery models for this new contract to ensure that it would break even. The Portfolio Holder commented that the contract would have to pay for itself otherwise he would consider stopping it. He also cautioned against the aggressive issuing of tickets just to push up rates. 

A Member asked whether photographs of litter and offenders were stored to target repeat offenders. It was confirmed that the enforcement officers did wear body cameras to provide a record of their activity, but action was only taken immediately after people were witnessed dropping litter. 

RESOLVED that the Portfolio Holder be recommended to

(1) approve the extension of the existing concessionary contract arrangement to 31^st May 2014 with an appropriate provider through a negotiated contract;

(2) authorise officers to review the existing service model and enter into negotiations, through a concessionary pricing contract, with service providers to establish an appropriate service model from 1^st June 2014.