Issue - meetings

The purpose of the report is to seek approval for a pilot scheme to undertake environmental enforcement through the use of fixed penalty notices. The report also seeks approval of the required BCP wide enforcement policy to ensure legal compliance in serving fixed penalty notices in this context.

Fixed penalty notices can be used for a number of environmental enforcement issues to include: littering, flytipping, flyposting and distribution of free material. BCP Council employ pro-active Community Safety Patrol Officers in designated areas who deter and address low-level crime and anti-social behaviour. These officers are accredited under the Community Safety Accreditation Scheme (CSAS). It is proposed that a pilot scheme conducted over six months enabling the Bournemouth Town Centre officers to undertake environmental enforcement through the use of fixed penalty notices, in addition to the key functions of their role. A further report at the end of the pilot period is proposed at which time a position for the whole of the BCP area will be recommended.

RESOLVED that:-

(a)          Cabinet approved a pilot Environmental Enforcement scheme in Bournemouth Town Centre for a period of six months;

(b)         Cabinet receive a further report on the outcome of the pilot, financial implications and future options appraisal for Environmental Enforcement across BCP, following completion of the pilot period; and

(c)         Cabinet approved the Policy for Environmental Enforcement through Fixed Penalty Notices to ensure legal compliance.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Tourism, Leisure and Communities

Reason

There is currently no pro-active patrol and enforcement of relevant environmental crimes, such as littering across BCP.

Evidence shows that Bournemouth Town Centre experiences a high proportion of littering offences.

There are Community Safety Patrol Officers undertaking a patrolling and enforcement role who are able to undertake relevant environmental crime enforcement.

The policy for environmental enforcement through fixed penalty notices allows for legal compliance and transparency in relation to the issue of fixed penalty notices for relevant offences.

Following the expiration of the pilot scheme an options appraisal will be presented with consideration for wider enforcement across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.

The Portfolio Holder for Tourism, Leisure and Communities presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'E' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

Cabinet approval was sought for a pilot scheme to undertake environmental enforcement through the use of fixed penalty notices, further to this Cabinet approval was also sought of the required BCP wide enforcement policy to ensure legal compliance in serving fixed penalty notices in this context.

In presenting the report and in response to concerns that had been expressed during public issues the Portfolio Holder advised that there was a thorough appeals process in place. In addition the Portfolio Holder advised Members that should this pilot scheme be successful then the possibility of extending the scheme would be explored.

The Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Board advised Cabinet that whilst there was no formal recommendations from the recent Board meeting that there was a lot of general support for the scheme from the Board, with the Board recognising the benefit of a pilot scheme which you can develop and monitor.

Members expressed the importance of publicising the scheme, in addition Cabinet discussed the leave only footprints campaign, and recognised the work already being carried out by volunteer groups. Members felt that this pilot scheme should help encourage and support the volunteer groups to continue their good work.

RESOLVED that:-

a)            Cabinet approved a pilot Environmental Enforcement scheme in Bournemouth Town Centre for a period of six months; and

b)           Cabinet receive a further report on the outcome of the pilot, financial implications and future options appraisal for Environmental Enforcement across BCP, following completion of the pilot period.

c)           Cabinet approved the Policy for Environmental Enforcement through Fixed Penalty Notices to ensure legal compliance.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Tourism, Leisure and Communities