Case Study - Rochdale

Enforcement policy boosted the budget

The new Environmental Enforcement Policy in Rochdale has benefited from the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act (CNEA) not only through the release of existing team resources but also by empowering staff sufficiently to help boost their morale.

It was clear to the Environmental Services within Rochdale Council that the new CNEA legislation made it easier to deal with environmental issues more efficiently. However, they had to find a way of using enforcement within existing resources as funding additional officers from within existing budgets was not an option.

"We quickly realised that under the new act Fixed Penalty Notices could be used to help deliver a continuous improvement in service delivery without further cost to the authority," - Martin Taylor, Street Service Manager

New FPN literature

Following lengthy consultation with residents and Council members, the new Environmental Enforcement Policy was adopted and came into force in 2006. The team designed a single FPN book that encompassed all relevant offences to be dealt with, alongside new procedures and guidance for businesses and members of the public.

"The tools for dealing with many offences summarily has not only released resources within existing teams, but have also helped to increase staff morale by empowering them sufficiently" - Martin Taylor

Front line staff have benefited from the policy through the provision of formal training and them having a chance to develop in the field of environmental management.

Increasing funds

The policy has seen a massive - 954 per cent! - increase in the number of fixed penalty tickets issued. Funding streams created by FPN receipts have allowed the provision of additional litter and dog fouling wardens, installation of over 60 extra litter bins with cigarette disposal facilities and increased advertisement campaigns and delivery of literature to raise awareness and provide guidance to residents and local business.

"It is proposed to use FPN receipts not only to deliver additional wardens, but also to employ a business waste and participation officer to work closely with them on future initiatives. The initiative sought to encompass as much environmental legislation as possible" - Martin Taylor

Use of legislation

Initially they used the CNEA 2005 provisions in conjunction with the Environmental Protection Act (EPA) 1990. Successful resources released by the Warden initiative allowed existing Enforcement Officers to make use of the Refuse & Disposal Amenity Act 1978, and the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003 addressed further environmental offences.

"The initiative has led to a massive reduction and near eradication of fly-posting activity borough wide. It has also seen an increase in Enforcement action being taken following fly-tipping investigations" - Martin Taylor

This action ranges from Home Office Cautions and Statutory notices to formal prosecution through the courts. Since last year, the number of litter-related complaints has been reduced by more than a tenth.

Prior to implementing the policy the team made sure an effective campaign would publicise the authority’s new stance on enviro-crime. It advertised the benefits of the new CNEA legislation and relevant ASBO legislation and how it would reduce anti-social behaviour.

The publicity campaign took the form of bus stop advertising, poster campaigns, and presentations to schools, resident groups, members and Magistrates briefing/training sessions. Alongside this numerous press releases, road shows in the town centre and specially designed literature were used to raise awareness and support.

Furthermore a letter was drafted informing all business within the borough (5000+) of the new legislation and their responsibilities in relation to duty of care for waste, fly-posting and illegal dumping.

Using the FPNs

With so much to do and having a new lease of life, the Enforcement Team was keen to deliver and prove that the new policy and procedures would make an impact. However, there were not enough officers available to effectively deliver this until a decision was made to make the polluter pay through the use of receipts from FPNs.

Four members of the Street Services Team were seconded to the Enforcement Team and undertook an intensive two week training course in Environmental Legislation. This included the use of FPNs under the new CNEA.

"What was in essence a static and reactive enforcement unit has turned into a proactive leading light on environmental enforcement. Furthermore this has had positive effects on issues such as dealing with fly-tipping and fly-posting" - Martin Taylor

Residents and the Street Cleansing workforce now receive regular reports and updates on actions being taken in their area of operation. A new found confidence also helped secure additional funding made available through the Local Strategic Partnership to employ further officers to act as Environmental Crime Officers and Liveability officers over the coming two years.

Measuring residents views

A survey carried out with residents at promotional road shows in December 2006 shows that 70 per cent of those surveyed were satisfied with street cleanliness. Only 13 per cent were dissatisfied.

The survey also shows that a high importance was put on environmental enforcement and fixed penalties with 79 per cent stating that it was very important, 19 per cent that it was quite important and only 1.5 per cent believing that enforcement was not important.

"The project will continue to focus on existing initiatives to ensure the positive results are sustained, whilst additional resources and emphasis will be directed towards dealing with business waste, litter control notices to help deal with fly tipping and waste arising from businesses" - Martin Taylor

For more information, please contact martin.taylor@rochdale.gov.uk