Agenda and minutes

An apology for absence was received from Councillors Miss A R Bond, Mrs K M Chalk, Miss M V Chamberlain and J Kaufman.

Members are reminded that any declaration of interest should be made having regard to the Members’ Code of Conduct. In particular, Members must make clear the nature of the interest and whether it is 'pecuniary' or ‘non-pecuniary'.

None.

To read, confirm and sign the minutes of the previous meeting in accordance with Rule 17 of Part 4 of the Constitution.

By affirmation of the meeting, it was

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

The minutes of the previous meeting of the Committee held on 12 October 2017 be taken as read, confirmed and signed.

To read, confirm and note the Action List arising from the previous meeting.

With reference to the action point marked ‘Corporate Enforcement Update’ (min. ref. 15) in respect of the Pest Control Services. Members were informed that at the meeting of the Service Delivery Committee held on 23 January, it was reported that currently the service was projected to lose £20k by the end of the financial year and that it had been agreed at that meeting that an up-to-date financial appraisal in respect of service was to be brought back to that Committee after six-months so that a view could then be taken as to its continued commercial viability.

By affirmation of the meeting, it was

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

The Action List be noted by Members.

To receive any Petitions and, or, Deputations in accordance with Rule 24 of Part 4 of the Constitution.

None.

Report of the Head of Law & Governance / Monitoring Officer

The Committee gave consideration to the report (at pages 6 - 10) as delivered and summarised by the Licensing & Environmental Health Team Leader which should be read together with these minutes as a composite document.

Asbestos Case - Marstown Avenue (Update)

Members stated that they were advised during the meeting of the Service Delivery Committee held on 23 January that the results for the laboratory analysis were due on 24 January. They requested that the results be chased as the report was still outstanding.

Members were advised that a prosecution file was in preparation, however, there was no time constraint on starting the legal action. It was said that a full report would help to ensure a successful prosecution. The Council would apply for full costs and, as part of the land is owned by the perpetrator, a land charge could be imposed.

Dog Fouling

Members stated that they were happy with the progress made so far and that stencilling and signage had made some difference but there were still areas of the Borough littered with dog faeces. Although bins had now been provided in the areas requested, some dog owners, who had bagged up the offending mess, were reported not to be using the bins and discarding, for example, in front gardens. The majority of Members agreed that a stern approach was the only way forward.

Members were advised that the current dog warden contract was up for renewal in April 2018 and that the Council was currently looking at various options. This was said to possibly involve contracting a company who could provide enforcement and issue Fixed Penalty Notices on the Council’s behalf.  If this was the way forward, the Council could then undertake a media campaign in order for the public to report offences and worst offending areas could be targeted. For successful prosecutions, the Council would require a statement and preferably good photographic evidence.

Enforcement of Litter, Fly-Tipping and Accumulations

Members requested that, as all local Councils were now part of the Leicestershire Forum, some pressure be exerted onto Leicestershire County Council to consider stop charging for disposal at household waste sites as this could be partly to blame for incidents of fly-tipping. 

Members suggested that an article could go into Letterbox advising residents to check that if they employ a firm to dispose of their waste that they hold the relevant permit, as if the rubbish is fly-tipped the resident would still be liable. Members stated that Leicester City Council offer three large collections in any one year, free of charge, and suggested that was something that the Council should look into providing.

Officers clarified that the time period for the statistics in the report were from 1 September to 31 December 2017. The figures compiled for the report were taken from the Council’s complaints database and therefore it was raw data. The figures recently presented to the Service Delivery Committee on 23 January were taken from the national database and represented an exact number.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 22.

Report of the Head of Law & Governance / Monitoring Officer

The Committee gave consideration to the report and appendices (at pages 11 – 39) as delivered and summarised by the Head of Law & Governance / Monitoring Officer which should be read together with these minutes as a composite document.

It was moved by the Chair, seconded by Councillor G A Boulter and

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

(i)       The contents of the report be noted by Members; and

(ii)     The revised Public Space Protection Order (Regulation of Dogs in the Borough of Oadby and Wigston) be recommend to Full Council for enactment.