Decision details

The Director - Communities & Environment presented a report which proposed to increase the Authority’s enforcement capacity through a one-year pilot arrangement with a private sector company targeting low-level environmental crime.

Under the proposals, the Council would effectively authorise WISE (Waste Investigations, Support and Enforcement) to undertake enforcement activity for a range of environmental crimes, largely under the various sections of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. This would cover littering, dog fouling, graffiti, Public Space Protection Orders and fly-tipping. This increased capacity would supplement the work of the Community Protection Officers in their role in responding to incidents and a wide range of community interventions.

The report also detailed positive feedback from neighbouring authorities who had undertaken similar schemes with WISE. The Committee welcomed the proposals and noted that performance data detailing where Fixed Penalty Notices had been issued could be shared Members. The Leisure & Environment Committee recommended adoption of the pilot project at their meeting held on 21 September 2021.

AGREED      (unanimously) that a one year Enviro - Crime Enforcement pilot project with WISE be approved.

Reason for Decision

To consider enhancing enforcement capacity to enable delivery of the Council’s objectives, recognising the challenges that have been brought to this objective with responding to the pandemic.