Agenda and draft minutes

To receive and record apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Thomas.

To receive and record any declarations of Interests from members present in respect of any of the various matters on the agenda for this meeting.

There were no declarations of interests relating to matters on the agenda.

The Board was given a presentation (Appendix A to these minutes) by the Neighbourhood Quality (Transformation Officer) (Transformation Lead) on the Council’s enforcement powers and functions.

The following officers were invited to join the meeting and answer any questions in relation to the presentation:

Tim Pointer               -      Interim Head of Enforcement and Neighbourhood Quality

Andy Wheeler          -      Neighbourhood Quality Officer (Transformation Lead)

Maria Stewart           -      Arboricultural Officer

Ryan Gulliver           -      Community Safety Manager

Kathy Fowler            -      Parking and Traffic Manager

Catherine Rayner    -      Environmental Health Manager (food safety and licensing)

Sean Mackay           -      Parking Team Leader

David Fitzgerald       -      Environmental Protection Manager

In response to questions raised by members of the Board, the officers advised that:

Planning Enforcement                 the transition of planning enforcement to the Neighbourhood Team had been successful

                                                         the degree of inspections made to ensure the conditions attached to a planning permission was complied with depended upon the size of the development

                                                         enforcement could be taken as the result of resident complaints or following an inspection of a site inspection

                                                         a decision on whether to take enforcement would depend upon the impact the alleged breech would have on the environment

Troubled Families Scheme         the scheme has been publicised. However, the main hurdle was the difficulty of getting families to accept that there is a problem

Bonfires                                          the Council can act, but it would depend upon the impact and frequency of the fires. It was agreed that information on the frequency and number of complaints relating to bonfires would be forwarded to members

Motorhomes                                  cannot enforce against motorhomes parked in a layby

Dog Breeders                                anyone breeding three or more litters of puppies per year was required to be licensed under new animal welfare legislation which came into effect from October 2018. The Council was able and willing to use social media to identify unlicensed breeders.

Stray dogs                                      stray dogs were sent to Portsmouth Kennels

Housing Standards                      Housing Associations were required to meet the same standard of rented accommodation as private sector landlords.

Customer Services                       the officers worked with customers services to ensure they were kept up to date and were fully informed.

                                                         some issues took longer than a resident may expect to resolve.