Minutes:
Mark Giles, Group Leader, Safer Neighbourhood Service, was welcomed to the meeting. Members were reminded that an Environmental Enforcement Policy had recently been approved by Cabinet. This outlined the approach to be taken across Barnsley.
Following the approval an exercise was undertaken which considered provision across the borough, and it highlighted that this varied considerably between wards. It was also noted that all current enforcement contracts were due to cease at the end of March, 2022.
Moving forward, the approach being taken would involve procuring a single contract which to provide a boroughwide service. This service would be provided at zero cost, with the provider receiving any income from notices issued. It was proposed that the service would cover areas such as littering, dog fouling and car parking previously commissioned in the South Area, but would also enforce areas such as non-presentation of bins, fly tipping and commercial waste. In allowing a single contractor to concentrate on enforcement, BMBC resources would then be focused on prosecutions.
It was suggested that the contract would allow flexibility for Area Councils to procure additional resource over and above that provided by the main contract.
Members noted that the specification for the service required the adoption of technology used by the council for issuing Fixed Penalty Notices. This would allow monitoring on a geographical basis to ensure the service was being delivered appropriately across the borough.
Questions were raised around the external procurement of the service, and whether this could be provided in house. It was noted that there was currently not the resource to do so within the Council, and the process to recruit and train significant numbers of staff would be time consuming and costly.
Comments were received that Members needed to know the basis for issuing Fixed Penalty Notices so that they could support the process, for example by ensuring yellow lines were maintained, and that cameras were located in correct positions.
Queries were raised around the funding of additional services above the base level of service, and income from any notices issued. Members heard that any income generated from any additional service funded by the Area Council would be returned to the Area Council.
Members discussed CCTV and the monitoring of this, which is undertaken by South Yorkshire Police. It was noted that covert cameras were being used for operations, including to combat off road biking.
With regards to environmental education, Members questioned how this would be provided. Members heard that this would be through schools, at community events and through leaflets and the provision of other information.
RESOLVED:-
(i) That thanks be given for the presentation;
(ii) That the Area Council receives further information relating to the Environmental Enforcement Service in due course; and
(iii) That future performance reports feature information relating to the Area Council funded covert cameras.