Issue - meetings

-        Strategic Director of Environment and Development Services to report.

Further to Minute No. 61 of his meeting held on 1st November, 2010, Councillor Smith, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Environment, introduced a report by the Strategic Director of Environment and Development Services, which presented the proposed Highways Enforcement Policy for adoption.

The proposed policy provided a set of common principles upon which enforcement activities would be based promoting fairness, openness, consistency and proportionate action based on risk assessment.

It was proposed to review the procedures relating to enforcement in the Quality Management System that were used for Street Works, Highways and Public Rights of Way enforcement to reflect the adoption of the policy.

It was also proposed to publish the policy on the Streetpride pages of the Council’s web site for the information of the public.

The adoption of the policy had no financial implications for the Service.

Formal enforcement action was not always pursued where to do so might be perceived as unreasonable. Where the investigations have followed a report from residents or the general public this might result in a negative perception of the service where the reporter expected immediate enforcement action.

Cabinet Members were informed that the service would be accountable for the efficiency and effectiveness of its activities, take immediate action where a risk of injury or to health may occur and carry out works in default.  They noted the Environmental Impact Assessment and were satisfied with the annual reviewing arrangements with the relevant Cabinet Member.

Recommended:-  That the Highways Enforcement Policy be adopted and reflect the revised procedures relating to highways enforcement followed within Streetpride.

Robert Stock, Network Principal Engineer to report

- to present a proposed Highways Enforcement Policy to Cabinet Member for adoption, encompassing a set of common principles for highways enforcement

Consideration was given to the report, presented by the Streetpride Principal Network Engineer, which set out details of the proposed Highways Enforcement Policy which would encompass a set of common principles for highways enforcement.

The proposed policy provided a set of common principles upon which enforcement activities would be based promoting fairness, openness, consistency and proportionate action based on risk assessment.

It was proposed to review the procedures relating to enforcement in the Quality Management System that were used for Street Works, Highways and Public Rights of Way enforcement to reflect the adoption of the policy.

It was also proposed to publish the policy on the Streetpride pages of the Council’s web site for the information of the public.

Specific information was provided on the compliance and enforcement actions and where appropriate additional guidance and codes of practice would be taken into consideration.

Discussion ensued on the actions to seek compliance and the right of appeal for those persons who had been served with an enforcement notice

Resolved:-  That the Highways Enforcement Policy, and the details reflected within revised procedures relating to highways enforcement followed within Streetpride, be referred to the Cabinet for recommendation to Council for adoption.