Tuesday, 11 February 2020

Big decisions to be made at upcoming P&R Committee


Pendle Borough Council's Policy & Resources Committee meets again on Thursday 13th February to discuss a number of important issues.

Two controversial planning applications by PEARL (PBC & Barnfield) will be decided, as well as the final decision on whether to extend the District Enforcement contract for fining litterers.

PLANNING
The first, an application for 98 houses by PEARL, off Marsden Hall Road, Nelson, had been held over after complaints about the design of the houses. Committee members agreed at the last meeting (Jan 30, 2020) to meet and discuss the issues and bring them to this meeting for approval. Council Leader, Mohammed Iqbal (Lab), said he wouldn't be rediscussing the viability of the application, but only design concerns.



A second application from PEARL, is looking to build 12 houses off Bailey St, Earby and has been strongly contested by residents and local Councillors. At the West Craven Committee meeting on February 4, 2020, Councillors voted to reject the application on drainage grounds, as Earby is hotspot for flooding as highlighted recently by storm Ciara.

Despite this, the application has been referred to the Policy & Resources Committee as "the decision would lead to a risk of significant costs," according to PBC.



DISTRICT ENFORCEMENT
Another emotive issue on the agenda is whether to renew the contract of District Enforcement, the company that is employed to police litter-dropping in the Borough.

The issue is a political football amongst Councillors, with the contract having been introduced by the Conservatives, the Lib Dems are keen to cancel it no matter what - despite littering decreasing and increased revenue to the Council.

There is equal support from Councillors and residents for both sides of the argument, with many people keen to see Pendle cleaner, and others concerned about reported 'targetting', 'following' and 'heavy handedness'. The amendments proposed are an effort to address some of those concerns. So expect a tight vote on the night.





The report to the Committee states:
  • Recommend to continue to the contract with amendments
  • The company currently works with Wyre, Rossendale, Fylde, Denbighshire and Medway, Pembrokeshire, Dover and Barnsley councils.
  • Income from fines split 50:50 with company and Council, bringing in £22,250 to PBC so far.
  • To replicate the enforcement team 'in house' would cost PBC £200,000.
  • Cigarette butts represent 97% of all items of litter.

Figures: (Feb 18 - Dec 31, 2019)
  • 4,161 FPNs issued
  • 2,849 paid = £239,387
  • 260 written off
  • 14 cases dropped where offender was a young person
  • 8 cases dropped against vulnerable people
  • The remaining awaiting payment or referred for non-payment
  • Over 200 FPNs issued for 'other' types of litter, compared to the Council's 73 FPNs the year before the contract began
  • Pendle BC has been able to focus on flytipping with the contract in place and has led to 144 fly tipping reports compared to 44 the year before the contract started
  • 59 FPNs for dog fouling, compared to 13 by the Council the previous year

New proposals include;
  • Less focus on cigarettes and cigarette butts
  • Extend scope to include littering from vehicles, enforcing PSPOs (dogs on leads, carrying poop bags), no smoking in taxis
  • Increase presence in parks by 25% to concentrate on dog fouling and PSPOs
  • Educational visits to schools
  • Publicity campaign regarding litter and climate change, and sharing news of serious offenders caught


Link: https://www.pendle.gov.uk/meetings/meeting/2743/policy_and_resources_committee