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.