Agenda item

Minutes:

Members gave consideration to a second report from the Housing and Enforcement Manager, seeking approval for the new Environmental Crime Policy and the Environmental Crime Commitment.

 

It was explained that the Council had not previously had a formal policy relating to its environmental crime work and it would sit alongside other service based policies, and be informed by the broader Corporate Enforcement Policy. Environmental crime continued to be a high-profile area of work for the Council. This had been identified by residents and Councillors in various forums over the previous 12 to 18 months. The Council’s approach to environmental crime was seen as a key issue and was also specifically identified within the Corporate Enforcement Policy workshops for Councillors that were held in August 2022. The proposed policy aligned with the overall strategic aim within the Corporate Plan which was to “Create a safer, cleaner and greener district in which to live, work and socialise”. It also sought to outline the key work areas for which the Council was responsible, and to compliment and work alongside the objectives of the Lincolnshire Environmental Crime Partnership. Additionally, the Environmental Crime Commitment sought to outline the work that the Council were undertaking to tackle this issue, as well as to set out what was aimed to be achieved in the coming 18 to 24 months. It was confirmed that the document was proposed to be the public facing element of the policy that could be used to raise awareness of environmental crime and its impacts.

 

The Chairman thanked the Housing and Enforcement Manager and invited comments from Members. There was widespread support for both the Policy and the Commitment, with Members noting it was a positive way forward. It was also recognised that where there were still improvements to be made, it was equally important to be open with residents. The example was provided of roadside litter, with some volunteers for litter picking reporting they had been stopped from undertaking voluntary litter picks. In response to this, Officers confirmed there were locations and situations where it was simply too dangerous for volunteers to undertake litter picking, however the Council worked hard with volunteers to support them and facilitate their efforts. The Chairman, and many Members of the Committee, expressed their thanks for the sterling efforts of the volunteers across West Lindsey.

 

There were considerable discussions regarding district-wide concerns, such as dog fouling, with Officers explaining that targeted enforcement could be undertaken if sufficient reports were received by residents regarding problem areas. Similarly, if a person had dashcam footage of other vehicles littering, this could be submitted to the Council and there were instances of enforcement action being successful following the receipt of such footage.

 

There was a general consensus that more could be implemented at a national level, with the suggestion for Government to be lobbied on the matter.

 

Note:              Councillor S. Bunney left the Chamber at 7.52pm and returned at 7. 53pm

 

There was further discussion regarding other common issues across the district, such as the abandonment of shopping trollies and fly-tipping. It was noted that the Council had initiated awareness stickers and tape, in order to both avoid multiple reports of the same fly-tip and reassure residents that it was being dealt with. Additionally, the new CRM system meant that reports of fly-tipping were sent directly to operatives, enabling a faster response and direct resolution information sent back to the reporting person. Members requested that thanks be extended to the teams dealing with the suite of environmental crime issues.

 

Note:              Councillor R. Patterson left the Chamber at 7.56pm and returned at 7. 58pm

 

Following further discussion regarding littering, dog fouling, the need for a multi-faceted approach, and the importance of educating children from a young age, and with no further comments being forthcoming, the Chairman thanked all Members of the Committee for their thorough and thoughtful consideration of the report as presented and the issues it sought to address. Having been moved, seconded, and voted upon, it was unanimously

 

RESOLVED that:

 

a)    the Environmental Crime Policy, as shown in appendix 1, be approved; and

 

b)    the Environmental Crime Commitment, as shown in appendix 2, be approved; and

 

c)    minor amendments to the policy be made in line with the scheme of delegation by the Director – ICT, Change Management and Regulatory Services with the consultation with the Chairman of the Committee.

Supporting documents: