Agenda item

The Clerk introduced the Scoping Report regarding 'The Council's Approach to the problem of hoarding'. He explained that the proposal for a review into hoarding had come from members, and that the review would aim to ensure that the Borough was taking the right approach to dealing with hoarders.

Ed Shaylor, Residents Services, explained that a multi-agency panel, chaired by the Fire Brigade, had been set up in 2014. This had considered 36 cases. The Council was empowered to take enforcement action, but it was noted that such action had to be justified and that there were many people who could be classed as eccentric, but whose accumulations were not causing significant harm. Many powers existed under public health legislation, but again they had fairly strict criteria for use. Hoarding was a recognised mental health issue and so in some cases this meant that the Council had to take a more cautious approach than neighbouring residents might like. Identifying budgets was recognised as an issue, as there was understandably no dedicated budget for dealing with hoarding, although officers had tried to ensure that a one Council approach was taken to ensure that work was done. Costs could often be recovered from residents.

Linda Wharton, Residents Services, explained that the Council also had powers under Section 215 of the Town and Country Planning Act, which whilst intended to aid redevelopment, were also applicable to hoarding which affected the amenity of the area. This power was slow to use as action had to be agreed by the relevant area planning committee, which in turn required a report to be written, causing delay. The power had been used once and had been successful in getting the resident to take action before a prosecution was brought.

In response to questions from members, officers explained that:

-       Most reports regarding hoarding were from neighbours, although some came through other agencies who had visited residents.

-       The number of hoarders in the Borough was unknown, and that this would depend on how hoarding was defined.

-       If officers were aware of someone who had properties in a different borough, they would seek to take co-ordinated action with other authorities.

-       Residents would be signposted to mental health services, however, they would have to take the initiative and use these.

-       Some use had been made of Community Payback Teams and Blue Sky Regeneration in clearing properties.

-       Time limits were set for residents to clear rubbish on a case by case basis.

-       Vulnerable people were identified by the Police and Fire Brigade, and that annual gas checks by landlords were another good opportunity to identify hoarding.

The Clerk introduced the second scoping report into 'Mechanisms for reviewing major developments in the Borough and identifying lessons to be learned for the planning process'. He explained that the review had been suggested by James Rodger, Head of Planning, and that its aim was to identify whether improved review mechanisms would be likely to raise the quality of developments through learning lessons from previous schemes and to consider what form any such mechanisms might take.

Alex Chrusciak, Residents Services, explained that it was hard to get feedback on the quality of developments. There were a number of standards against which developments could be judged, however, these were not widely adopted. There was an opportunity to use modern technology to gather feedback from residents.

In response to questions from members, officers explained that:

-       The review of developments would have to take place over a long period of time, as there was often a significant gap between planning approval, and residents moving in and feedback from applicants and agents was unlikely to be focused on the liveability of the properties.

-       There was a possibility of the Government introducing more standardised planning guidance, which would make it harder for Local Authorities to improve the quality of development in their areas.

Members also raised issues such as parking and storage which they felt were important to the quality of a development.

Resolved:

-       That the scoping reports into 'The Council's Approach to the problem of hoarding' and 'Mechanisms for reviewing major developments in the Borough and identifying lessons to be learned for the planning process' be agreed.