Issue - meetings

To highlight the issue of untidy gardens and inform members of the measures available to tackle them.

In response to a request of the Scrutiny Commission, members were presented with a report on tackling untidy gardens. Members were informed that the council had powers to deal with not only council tenants with untidy gardens, but also private tenants or owners using enforcement powers available. It was also noted that the council worked closely with other agencies to provide support to those who were unable to look after their gardens.

In response to a member’s question, it was stated that there were around 30 complaints a year about gardens of council properties, and around 600 a year made to the environmental health team which covered anything from refuse bags left in the garden to overgrown gardens. Officers agreed to provide members with the figures for planning enforcement cases and the number of cases pursued by the tenancy management and environmental health teams in response to the complaints made.

Members acknowledged that it was easier to deal with untidy gardens of council properties but felt that the situation with non-council properties had improved in terms of the number of cases resolved, and officers were thanked for their hard work.

A briefing note to inform members of who to contact depending on the situation and the powers available to officers was requested. It was requested that a briefing note also be sent to parish councils.

RESOLVED – a briefing note about untidy gardens be prepared for members and parish councils.

Report in response to a request at a previous meeting which highlights the issue of untidy gardens to assist in understanding the scope of measures available to the council to tackle them.

This report was deferred to the following meeting.