Issue - meetings

ES20131

The Committee was briefed as follows:

There had been an increase in enforcement in the areas of the private rented sector with respect to Health and Safety.

The Number of Fly Tips had increased over the period. This had been attributed to an increase in the number of people undertaking home improvement schemes during lockdown and then illegally dumping waste. In response, LBB was planning to refresh its Fly Tipping Action Plan. 

More detailed responses with respect to all areas of the update were outlined in the relevant appendices.

A Member informed the Committee that at a previous meeting of the DCC, it had been agreed that an Article 4 Direction be agreed for HMOs. This meant that for anyone wanting to set up a new HMO, planning permission would now be required. This was applicable to Darwin and Biggin Hill Wards immediately, but it was not immediate for the other Wards.

The Chairman queried what appeared to be an increase in inadequate fire precautions at HMOs. The Assistant Director responded that in reality there was no significant increase—the figures had resulted from a change in reporting methodology.

It was agreed that a Member would speak to the new Neighbourhood Management Officer outside of the meeting to discuss the Fly-Tipping of oil drums in the Penge Ward. 

There was a discussion over what actually constituted a ‘fly-tip’ and it was suggested that the new Neighbourhood Enforcement Officer (Dean Laws) be contacted to provide clarification.  

RESOLVED that the report be noted and that the Committee agree to receive an annual report on the service areas identified within the report.