Report of the Strategic Director (Neighbourhoods)

This report provides Members with an update on demand for and performance of the Compliance and Enforcement service during 2019/20.

The Committee considered the report of the Strategic Director (Neighbourhoods) that provided an update on demand for and performance of the Compliance and Enforcement service during 2019/20.

The main points and themes within the report included: -

·         An overview of the teams that make up the Compliance and Enforcement services;

·         Information and data on overall demand;

·         An update on Proactive Activity;

·         A breakdown by ward of the number of fly-tipping cases by month with comparisons against the previous year’s figures;

·         Information on where the additional investment to tackle fly-tipping had been spent;

·         Data by ward on the number and nature of calls to the Out of Hours service during the first Covid-19 lockdown period; and

·         Case studies.

Some of the key points that arose from the Committee’s discussions were: -

·         Waste and fly tipping in areas of North Manchester remained an issue;

·         What work was being undertaken with the Universities to address Anti-Social Behaviour caused by students;

·         What action was being taken to address waste generated by HMOs (Houses in Multiple Occupation);

·         Further information was sought on the work of the Biffa Investigation Team;

·         Data on the types of enforcement action by ward was requested;

·         Noting the prevalence of commercial waste, often in district centres and asking what was being done to address this;

·         Did Officers engage with Letting Agents when seeking to address issues;

·         Clarification was sought on the reported number of prosecutions generated as a result of the 2-year pilot scheme that saw the introduction of 8 overt mobile CCTV cameras and 6 concealed cameras that were deployed across the city to tackle fly tipping;

·         Was the money from fines issued following a successful prosecution invested back into the service;

·         Issue arose related to terraced properties and the imposition of communal bins as opposed to individual household bins;

·         What were the priorities for the service next year;

In response to the questions raised the Head of Compliance, Enforcement and Community Safety explained that the Biffa Investigation Team, in addition to removing fly tipping would seek to identify any persons who were responsible for the fly tipping and using the evidence obtained enforcement action could be taken against those who illegally disposed of their waste.

The Head of Compliance, Enforcement and Community Safety stated that any money from fines was retained by the Treasury, only monies generated through the issuing of a Fixed Penalty Notices and and civil penaly notices could be retained by the local authority.

The Neighbourhood Compliance Manager (Neighbourhoods) addressed the question regarding the rates of prosecutions generated by the investment into CCTV cameras by describing the challenges in obtaining evidence as a result of criminality, however he expected the figures to increase as the judicial system had been delayed due to the impact of the pandemic.

The Head of Compliance, Enforcement and Community Safety stated that a lot of work had been undertaken with landlords of HMO properties around a range of issues, including student behaviour and appropriate waste management and the report provided examples of these. She further stated that the teams would work with all parties to resolve issues, including commercial premises and letting agents and that when appropriate, enforcement action would be taken.

In response to the comments regarding ongoing issues in the Cheetham Hill area the Head of Compliance, Enforcement and Community Safety commented that a lot of targeted work had been delivered in the area in an attempt to resolve the ongoing issues. She acknowledged the comment from the local Member and advised that  Officers would contact the Member following the meeting to discuss further.

In response to the question regarding the priorities for the service next year, the Head of Compliance, Enforcement and Community Safety advised that they would be similar to this year with a continued focus on addressing issues of waste and fly tipping, further adding that residents needed to take responsibility for disposing of their waste in an appropriate and responsible manner.

The Head of Compliance, Enforcement and Community Safety stated that the service had responded well during the pandemic and she remained confident that the service would continue to be flexible, working collaboratively with partner agencies to respond to the challenges of the pandemic and any changes announced as the lockdown was eased and Tiers introduced. This includes flexing shift patterns of the LOOH to meet the demands of the service.

The Executive Member for Neighbourhoods stated that he wished to place on record his appreciation to all of the staff working within the various Neighbourhood Teams for all of their continued hard work and dedication to residents during the previous challenging year. He further stated that target hardening work had been delivered in North Manchester to address fly tipping hotspots and to support this a communication campaign would be delivered. In relation to the issues raised regarding terraced properties he stated that the Passageway Container Service Improvement Programme, as reported to the Committee at their meeting of 7 October 2020 would address the concerns raised by the Member.

Decisions

The Committee;

1.    Note the report and express their appreciation to all of the staff working within the various Neighbourhood Teams for their continued hard work and dedication to residents during the previous challenging year.

2.    Recommend that post Covid Neighbourhood Teams work with partners, including registered housing providers and local businesses to actively engage with residents and stake holders on the issue of responsible waste management.

[Councillor Appleby declared a personal and non-prejudicial interest as her partner is employed by Biffa.]