Agenda item

NEIGHBOURHOOD MANAGEMENT ENFORCEMENT UPDATE SCRUTINY REPORT

Minutes:

ES19030

 

This report was written and presented by Toby Smith (Head of Enforcement and Neighbourhood Management). The purpose of the report was to compare the current performance of services with previously agreed performance indicators. Members were being asked to note and comment on the report.

 

Members studied Table 1 of the report which highlighted performance against agreed indicators. KPI ‘NM1’ was the performance indicator for the successful payment and recovery rate for FPNs (fixed penalty notices) that related to dropped litter. The Committee noted the aggregate performance for this which was 63% against a target of 70%. The Committee noted the RAG status which was ‘amber.’ It was suggested that one of the reasons that the performance against target was down was that in some cases individuals did not always provide the correct information to civil enforcement officers (CEOs). Another reason suggested was that the CEOs were easily identifiable. 

 

The Committee noted KPI ‘NM2’ which was the KPI relating to the removal of abandoned vehicles. Members were pleased to note that the aggregate performance was 99% which compared to a target of 95%. It was explained that not all vehicles reported as ‘abandoned’ were in fact abandoned. If a vehicle was taxed--as far as the Council was concerned it was not an abandoned vehicle. One hundred and seventy six vehicles had been removed over the last quarter.  It was clarified that if a vehicle was causing a significant nuisance (even if it was taxed), then alternative enforcement measures could be employed. 

 

The Committee saw that the number of fly tipping enforcement actions was down against target (8.6% achieved against a target of 10%). Mr Smith pointed out that LBB only employed 1 fly tipping officer for public areas.

 

A Member drew attention to Table 2 under section 5.5 of the report. A list of offences had been identified, with additional information such as the Case ID number, and the fines and surcharges imposed.  The Member commented that as the offences were listed merely as offences committed under the relevant section of the Environmental Protection Act, it did not explain what the actual offence was. Mr Smith explained the various offences that were listed under the various sections of the Act.

 

Mr Smith appraised the Committee that the fines and surcharges listed in the table went to the Court, and that the legal costs went to the Legal Section of the Council. It was currently the case that no charges could be recuperated by the Public Protection Division against the cost of cleaning up after fly tipping, and also officer time. It was hoped that in the future, magistrates could be persuaded to award the Council costs in this regard. The Chairman asked to be kept updated concerning this.

 

A Member stated that there was no evidence in Penge that Civil Enforcement Officers were enforcing in the area, and she queried if they were doing their job properly. Mr Smith responded that he would relocate CEOs back to Penge. Mention was made of untidy gardens, and it was explained that this would be a matter for the Planning Section.

 

Mr Smith concluded his update by highlighting the closure of Star Lane. Star Lane had been a problem for many years regarding fly-tipping and subsequently when the rubbish was set on fire. It had been decided to close the lane for 18 months, staring from 1st March. This had proved very effective and the expected upsurge in the dumping of rubbish in other areas had not manifested. This was a success story and the LFB had expressed their thanks to the Council for closing the lane.

 

RESOLVED that:

 

1) The Committee is kept informed of any developments concerning magistrates awarding new costs to the Council to cover the expense of cleaning up after a fly tipping incident.

 

2) Mr Smith would relocate CEOs to undertake enforcement work in  Penge to counter an apparent lack of enforcement in the area.   

 

 

 

 

Supporting documents: