Agenda, decisions and minutes

1.1 Apologies for absence were submitted from Councillor McMahon.

2.1   There were no declarations of interest.

That the minutes of the previous meeting held on 1 June 2020 were

approved as a correct record.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the previous meeting held on 1 June 2020 were

approved as a correct record.

To note the annual performance report for the Environmental

Enforcement Service.

4.1   Gerry McCarthy introduced the report setting out the service’s annual performance across the enforcement remit for the financial year 2019/2020.

4.2   Councillor Hanson noted from the three year comparison table that the mobile Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) issued for Highway Obstruction had increased from zero in 2017/18 to 702 in 2019/20 and that no notices had been issued for dog fouling in the previous 2 years. Mr McCarthy clarified that the significant increase in Highways Obstruction FPNs had resulted from the introduction of mobile technology and the transfer of notices being issued from paper to mobiles. Officers patrolling the streets had not witnessed any dog fouling since 2018/19.

4.3  Councillor Snell asked if the night-time economy (NTE) enforcement work undertaken in Dalston was fully funded from late night levy and requested that the Environmental Enforcement activities be promoted to raise public awareness of the service. Mr McCarthy stated that the Late Night Levy Board had allocated 30 per cent of the late night levy to the Council and this funding had been used to partly fund Enforcement Officers in the NTE areas. In recent months the income from the levy had fallen due to some businesses remaining closed since lockdown in March and this funding would be reviewed in the future. Mr McCarthy said that he would liaise with the Communications team on better ways of advertising the enforcement service and its activities.

4.4   Councillor Race enquired about fly tipping since Covid-19 and the redeployment of resources directly to other areas of the borough where problems had been identified, in particular in Kingsland Road. Mr McCarthy confirmed that there had been no increase in fly tipping during Covid-19, however, during routine inspections of premises some businesses were found to be operating during the lockdown and exceeding their allocated collections. These businesses were either issued a FPN or other enforcement action was taken.

4.5   With regard to the deployment of resources, Mr McCarthy responded that the service had been increasing the use of CCTV cameras in Shoreditch and had installed two CCTV cameras on Calvert Avenue and going forward resources would be redeployed throughout the borough based on the information gathered from CCTV. Councillor Selman added that police resources had been focused on Shoreditch due to the specific issues experienced in that area. As enforcement officers had fewer powers than the police, the Council had to make a case for any additional police resources to be deployed to any particular problem area. The Council had been using levy funding to install temporary CCTV cameras throughout the borough and had sought permission to install temporary cameras along Kingsland Road. This would provide real time data that would enable additional Council and police resources to be co-ordinated and deployed to areas experiencing problems such as crime and disorder or public nuisance.

4.6   Councillor Fajana- Thomas enquired whether wardens had been working during the lockdown and also patrolling housing estates, and the collaborative work between the police and wardens to address disorder  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

To note the annual performance report for the Noise Service.

5.1   Gerry McCarthy introduced the report setting out the annual performance in relation to the Noise Service for the period 1January to 31 December 2019. The report included an update on the volume of noise complaints, breakdown of the individual types of noise nuisance within the service including Temporary Event Notices (TENs), which continued to place significant demand on existing resources and construction noise.

5.2   Councillor Fajana-Thomas enquired about domestic noise nuisance complaints since lockdown and the Community Safety, Enforcement and Business Regulation service (CSEBR). Mr McCarthy stated that the volume of complaints related to domestic noise nuisance arising from DIY, TV and washing machines etc had increased significantly since March 2020 and that the Noise Service had been working with Housing Associations and Hackney Homes to address these particular issues. Councillor Selman advised that an external auditor had undertaken an internal review of the new CSEBR service’s performance in 2019 and its recommendations had been implemented when shaping the team. Resources were being used more efficiently to improve the service such as issuing FPNs by mobile however, due to issues with the data sets it had been difficult to compare performance. Work had also been undertaken with ICT to improve people’s reporting experience and the service’s systems in order to capture better data to measure and monitor service performance. The service would continue to focus on improving data collection.

5.3   Councillor Snell emphasised that the Council needed one enforcement service comprising all the enforcement teams and to ensure that its policies were consistent such as licensing and planning.

5.4   Councillor Stops sought clarification whether an applicant granted a TEN would be exempt from planning rules. Mr McCarthy replied that licensed premises were permitted to operate without planning permission for 28 days. Josephine Sterakides indicated that she would provide a response to Councillor Stops following the meeting and also asked for any examples to be emailed.

5.5   Councillor Hanson added that a compliance check should be undertaken upon receipt of a TEN application to ensure that a venue also complied with planning conditions.

5.6   Councillor Snell indicated that it would be useful if Legal Services could

produce a guidance note for businesses clarifying the new rules during the pandemic. Councillor Selman stated that Daniel O’Sullivan was familiar with the government guidance and rules for businesses.

RESOLVED to note the annual performance report for the Noise Service.

The Committee’s draft work programme for 2019/2020 was noted.

The Chair advised that a special meeting of the Corporate Committee would be scheduled in November 2020 to consider the service delivery plans for this year.

The Committee’s draft work programme for 2019/2020 was noted.

There was no other urgent business.