District Enforcement: Contract to be terminated or renegotiated

District Enforcement: Contract to be terminated or renegotiated 

The Policy & Resource Committee have resolved that

“formal notice be given to the District Enforcement to terminate the agreement in February 2020”

but with the caveat that

“Group Leaders and relevant officers meet with them before the notice takes effect to try to renegotiate the agreement with a view to focusing more on the Council’s requirements”

This was decided at a meeting that was held on 21st Nov 2019! Source of information: (Draft) Minutes of the Policy & Resource Committee Meeting held on 21st Nov 2019 at Nelson Town Hall.

Here’s the relevant extract:-

DISTRICT ENFORCEMENT
The Corporate Director submitted a report which provided an update on the work of District Enforcement which had been running as a pilot for the last 12 months.

Policy and Resources Committee (21.11.2019)
The report provided details of the enforcement activities undertaken by District Enforcement compared with the enforcement activities the Council had undertaken the previous year. They had been able to provide more resources which had resulted in more fines and prosecutions.

During discussion reference was made to general criticisms and the attitude of the District Enforcement officers to members of the public when approached about a littering offence. More positive examples were also discussed.

It was acknowledged that the service provided by District Enforcement was tackling the littering problem but there were areas of concern which the Committee felt needed addressing. It was suggested that a discussion be held with District Enforcement with a view to renegotiating the contract which would aim to address these issues.

RESOLVED
(1) That formal notice be given to District Enforcement to terminate the agreement in February, 2020 but that Group Leaders and relevant officers meet with them before the notice takes effect to try to renegotiate the agreement with a view to focusing more on the Council’s requirements.

(2) That a report on the outcome of the meeting referred to in (2) above be submitted to the Policy and Resources Committee in either January or February, 2020 so that a final decision on whether to terminate the contract can be taken.

REASON
To continue the increase in enforcement activity, together with improved co-ordination, whilst achieving savings.