ENFORCEMENT AND THE USE OF FIXED PENALTY NOTICES

Steve Kirby - Enforcement and Technical Services Manager

Elaine Thomas – Community Warden

ESTABLISHING THE TEAM

3 shifts of 3 Wardens and Assistant Manager 4 on, 2 off rota Hours covered 06.30 to 21.30 every day Normal Method of Working , 1 Double Crewed

Vehicle, 1 Lone Worker

HOW THE SERVICE IS PAID FOR

Permanent service paid for by the council No funding from ODPM Budget this year of £356,000

GENERAL AND PPE

Land Rover Discovery x 2 Ford Connect x 2 ( 1 fitted out as dog warden

van) Individual mobile phones Radios ( on same frequency as PCSO’s) Attack alarm Hi-Vis vest to be worn at all times

CRITERIA FOR EMPLOYING STAFF

Previous security experience very desirable Flexible and confident Able to think on their feet Able to deal professionally with all types of

people

PRIORITIES

Set by the Steering Group Currently

– Dealing with abandoned cars– Litter and fly tipping– Dealing with anti-social behaviour– Travellers

FACTORS AFFECTING SETTING OF PRIORITIES

External forces– Changes in legislation– More P.C.S.O’s

Internal forces– Loss of other duties– Increased multi-agency working– Move from education to greater enforcement

WHAT IS A FIXED PENALTY NOTICE?

•Allows offence not to be treated as a summary offence•If the offender denies the offence, a FPN cannot be issued. If there is enough evidence it must be treated as a summary offence and be processed through the Courts.

ENFORCEMENT POLICY

Fly tipping – general (usually garden waste, hardcore etc) Usually 7 days warning, followed by fixed penalty if not

cleared Fly tipping at recycling areas – if evidence found, and

offence admitted, then penalty issued immediately Dog Fouling - Penalty issued at time

Tickets not issued to under 17’s

SUCCESSES AND …..

•Litter fines issued since launch = 100

•Dog fouling fines issued since launch = 12

PROBLEMS

RIPA– No stake-outs– No following

Private Land – Café society

Littering from vehicles– High cost of DVLA information

HOW THE SERVICE HAS EVOLVED

Move to targeted blitzes– Signposted– Advertised

Working with other agencies– Joint tasking

Working with other Council departments– Environmental Health– Housing– Intensive Care Team

THE WAY FORWARD – PART 1

•Closer work with Environmental Health on fly tipping issues•Moving forward from fixed penalties•Getting the schools on board•Patrols•Education•No penalties issued to under 17’s•“hearts and minds” – the way forward?

THE WAY FORWARD – PART 2

•Protocols for dealing building work •When is fly tipping not fly tipping ?

•Getting to grips with green waste

•Feeding the birds – environmental and cultural issues