Agenda item

Agenda item

Corporate Enforcement Update

Report of, and to be presented by, the Interim Head of Community Services.

Minutes:

The Committee gave consideration to the report (at pages 7 – 15) as delivered and summarised by the Interim Head of Communities which should be read together with these minutes as a composite document.

 

A debate thereon was had by Members who considered the following in turn.

 

Asbestos Case - Marstown Avenue, South Wigston

 

The Committee was advised that the work was being monitored by the Council and that the Council was initially covering any expenditure but would be pursing the site owner for costs.

 

Dog Fouling

 

The Committee was advised that it was presently unknown how many stray dogs put in kennels were claimed but attempts to re-home are sought and identified owners are charged kennelling fees.

 

Fly-Tipping

 

The Committee was advised that as an authority the Council have a responsibility to investigate in an attempt to identify the person responsible for fly-tipping but there was very little that could be done under the Environment Act 1995. It was said that If the identified person admitted guilt, they can be issued with a fixed penalty notice (FPN). Officers advised that if any land was deemed to be in such an unreasonable condition detrimental to its amenity, action could be taken by service of Unity Land notice under section 215 of the Town & Country Planning Act 1990. The Council could compel action under the tenancy agreement if a council-owned property.

 

Abandoned Vehicles

 

Members were advised that an abandoned vehicle would be one whereby it had no tax, no MOT, possibly in poor condition and on a highway. A notice would be placed on the vehicle and if the owner came forward, it would not be deemed an abandoned vehicle but the details passed onto the DVLA for any further action.

 

Food Inspections / Food Hygiene Rating System

 

The Committee were advised that for new premises, following the business registering with the authority an inspection would then be arranged. If the rating was found to be poor, a re-inspection could take place after a three month period.  Food ratings were published on the Council website and passed to the Food Standards Agency. The relevant businesses have 25 days in which to lodge an appeal and the original rating remains until the appeal period has expired.

 

Enforcement Action

 

It was noted that the wording on the Corporate Enforcement Report at para. 11.2a (at page 11) needed rewording from fit and proper to not fit and proper.

 

Members stated that anti-social behaviour around the Launceston Road shops in Wigston had improved significantly over the last few years. Concerns were raised at the number of non-OWBC licensed taxis seen in the area and parking in taxi ranks and a particular ice cream van parking on double yellow lines at the bottom of Bell Street, Wigston. Members also queried whether there was enough capacity within the Licensing Team.

 

The Committee was advised that Officers were liaising with Leicester City Council regarding the issue and that there was to be a joint operation with Leicestershire Constabulary in late September. Patrols of ranks were also said to take place and those vehicles not eligible to be parked are moved on. It was said that a work capacity review would be undertaken and the results would be brought to a subsequent meeting. It was reported that the complained-of ice-cream van operator had been spoken to and had since been issued with the relevant licence to trade lawfully.

 

RESOLVED THAT:

 

The contents of the report be noted.

Supporting documents: