Issue - meetings

ES20391

In response to a Member’s question regarding the issue of badly hoarded homes within the Borough, the Assistant Director of Public Protection confirmed to Members that the number of such cases was low, but the severity was high and hoarding could be both dry and wet. Wet hoarding was where wet substances were involved and also where animals were at the property, whether deceased, decaying or living in the unhygienic conditions. In such cases the RSPCA would be involved when engaging with the resident.

A query was raised regarding Bromley’s involvement in infestation issues within peoples’ homes. The committee heard that it would depend on the tenure of the property i.e. Housing Association, local authority or private-rented. Bromley would be involved if the infestation was impacting on neighbouring properties or area, with further action taken if required.

In respect of recurring infestations outside of properties and peoples’ homes, e.g. in alleyways, behind flats, near shops etc, the committee noted that a major part of controlling the problem was general housekeeping, i.e. ensuring correct disposal of food and rubbish, availability of secure dustbins etc.

Comment was made on the amount of vape shops opening up and to what extent were these premises regulated, especially to ensure that super-strength vapes were not being sold within the Borough.

Members heard from the Head of Safer Communities that this was an area where Trading Standards were very active, although such premises were unregulated in that the Borough could not control how many shops could open or their location. Regulations applied to the product, and as a tobacco product their purchase was age restricted. The Government was looking to introduce more legislation to prohibit certain vape types, particularly disposable vapes. The issue of vapes was a big priority within the Borough, with seizures of vapes and test purchasing continuing. Trading Standards would be tasked to enforce any disposable vape legislation when it came into place.

Referring to the seizure of vapes, the Head of Safer Communities informed Members that for 2023, 3450 vapes were seized, together with 2015 illegal cigarette packs. This was a big increase on the previous year which saw 1659 vapes seized.

Regarding schools’ involvement with the problem of under-age vaping, Members were informed that Trading Standards had spoken to Head Teacher forums to obtain information on where pupils were buying vapes and these premises could then be visited for inspections, seizures and under-age test purchasing. It was felt that schools also implemented their own approach to the use of vapes within their grounds.

The Chairman commented that the Bromley Youth Council could play a part by contacting schools to obtain the information required on vaping, and their representatives on the committee could take this suggestion back to the BYC.

A BYC co-opted member informed the committee that the BYC had produced a video previously sent to schools, but some schools had been more receptive than others. A question was asked of whether between the BYC and Trading Standards there was  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8