Agenda item

Lesley Dare, Senior Team Leader for the Kingdom Enforcement Team, was welcomed to the meeting and gave a presentation which, with the use of slides, gave details of the operation of the South Area Contract from April 2016 to date.

The presentation gave details of the following:

·         The Kingdom Promise to:

o   Patrol the streets of the South Area Council enforcing Environmental legislation for Littering and Dog Fouling

o   Enhance the Parking Enforcement over and above that already offered

o   Complete a minimum of 85% of operational hours on patrol

o   Ensure each Ward received the same allocated hours of patrol time

o   Operate on Mondays to Saturdays from 6.00 am to 8.00 pm

·         The number of complaints and intelligence received categorised by date, type of incident, location and action taken

·         Gave details of how hours allocated to each area was recorded and balanced to ensure equity of provision

·         Detailed information on Littering, dog fouling and parking (including fixed penalty notices and penalty charge notices) for each quarter both in total for the South Area and by Ward

·         The success of the ‘added extras’ with particular reference to:

o   Juvenile Litter Picks

o   Fly tipping

o   Additional specific littering, Dog Fouling and Parking Operations

·         The Revenue received by quarter and in total

In the ensuing discussion, the following matters were raised:

·         It was noted that dog fouling and littering still remained a significant issue with a significant amount of ‘tickets’ being issued

·         Parking issues were continuing to be a particular issue in both Wombwell and Hoyland.  Arising out of this there was a discussion of the ongoing issues with regard to the difficulties associated with the allocation of responsibilities and the relationship between the Council’s in house Parking Enforcement Team and Kingdom Staff.  This was a concern and it was noted that regular meetings between Kingdom and BMBC Parking Services were held to try and resolve these ongoing issues

·         It was noted that with regard to parking in particular, the number of complaints received was not a reflection of the significant number of ‘tickets’ issued – this could be because complaints were not always directed via Kingdom

·         It was acknowledged that there was a need to provide additional information giving a breakdown of the ‘Notices’ issued by category on a Ward by Ward basis.

·         The success of the Juvenile Litter Picks was referred to and in response, Mr Dare gave details of the staffing ratios required.  Whilst Kingdom attempted to ensure that ‘offenders’ undertook litter pick in the area where the ‘offence’ had been committed, this was not always possible because of limited resources.  All 36 Juveniles had found the Litter picks beneficial

·         There was a discussion on the continuing problems of fly tipping and in response to questioning, Mr Dare outlined the steps taken by staff to try to locate the perpetrators event though it was not within the core responsibilities of  Kingdom

·         Reference was made to untaxed vehicles which were illegally parked and to the action taken to report such matters to the Police

·         Reference was made to a successful operation undertaken at Skiers View.  Comments had been received by some Members that officers had been officious or aggressive.  In response, Mr Dare stated that he thought this was highly unlikely but any issues reported would be investigated.  He had trained the officers personally and all wore body cameras in case of such reports.  It was noted that two staff had been assaulted and both assailants had been prosecuted after being dealt with by the Police

·         In response to detailed questioning, Mr Dare outlined the revenue position with regard to fines and prosecutions.  It was noted that all of the income generated from dog fouling and littering tickets and a proportion of the income generated from parking enforcement were returned to the South Area Council

In summary, Mr Dare thanked Members for the invitation to the meeting.  If any Member had any issues to report they should contact Kindgom staff or should encourage members of the public to report issues to the Enforcement Call Centre on 01226 772468.

Members asked to place on record their thanks to Mr Dare and to his team for all their hard work on behalf of the residents of the South Area.