Community Protection News Issue No. 44, March 2006
Departmental Matters
Team of the Year Award Success
The Community Protection Department are proud of the success of two of its teams within the year’s TOTY Awards.
Licensing came first in the ‘Achievement’ category; and Pest Control won second place in the ‘Customer Satisfaction’ category. In addition, Licensing won the overall Team of the Year Award.
The whole Department is thrilled and delighted with the success which reflects the high level of services provided through the Community Protection Department.
(Contact: Bob Saunders - 01942 827094)
Environmental Health and Trading Standards
Fly-tippers Fined
Since they started work last summer, the new enforcement team have been hard at work investigating fly-tipping hotspots throughout the borough. The results of their work are now filtering through with offenders appearing before the Courts.
Recent cases have seen two fly-tippers fined and ordered to pay substantial costs. One young man was fined £300 plus £300 costs for dumping household rubbish on land in Drummers Lane in Ashton-in-Makerfield.
In another case, a building contractor was fined £500 plus £400 costs for illegally storing waste from his business in the alley behind his home in Downall Green Road, Ashton-in Makerfield.
Following less serious offences two formal cautions have been issued. The first involved a company who illegally left bagged waste on the street in Wigan town centre. The other case involved a company who failed in their "duty of care" to ensure that their waste was properly disposed of.
A growing number of other cases are now awaiting prosecution. These range from a resident dumping waste at the back of their home, to a company whose employees have dumped hazardous waste in a remote field.
Anyone who wishes to report fly-tipping should telephone the Streetcare Helpline on 01942 404364.
(Contact: Dave Bithell)
Partners in Outbreak Investigations
Officers from the Food, Health & Safety Section of the Community Protection Department are assisting in the organisation of the first of a series of joint Health Protection Agency / CIEH training days for Food Examiners, Environmental Health Officers and others involved in outbreak investigation.
The course which was piloted at the Health Protection Agency, Colindale early last year is designed to ensure that all those who may be potentially involved in the investigation of a food related outbreak of disease are fully equipped and trained to successfully deal with what is always a very difficult situation. Many of the leading experts in foodborne disease will be speaking on the day.
It is a great credit to Wigan that the authority has been chosen to be the first venue outside London to host the training. The course will enable Officers from across the North West Region and beyond to increase their knowledge expertise and effectiveness in an outbreak situation.
This will contribute to increased protection of the public.
The event is to be held at the Investment Centre at the end of March. We are looking forward to playing host for up to 150 professional members attending on the day.
(Contact: Tony Dickinson - 01942 828189)
Urban Renewal
Improvements in Pagefield Area
Residents in the Pagefield Renewal Area of Wigan joined forces with the Council's Private Sector Housing Section and Groundwork Wigan & Chorley to improve a 'grot spot' in their area.
Abandoned garages in Pagefield had become a magnet for drug users, underage drinkers and other gangs attracted to the derelict site bordering Birch Street, Gidlow Lane and Diggle Street.
Following an approach by local residents and the One Voice Residents Association, the Private Sector Housing Section and local councillor Terry Halliwell's Brighter Borough funds financed a £40,000 improvement scheme carried out by Groundwork and the residents themselves.
The scheme includes security fencing, alley gates and the planting of more than 400 plants and bulbs around the now transformed site.
(Contact: Anees Mank)
Housing Bosses Sign Up to Property Pact
Council and Housing Chiefs across the borough have signed an agreement that they hope will reduce levels of homelessness and improve access to affordable housing.
The Council can now nominate tenants to half of all housing association properties that fall vacant thanks to a new agreement signed with Wigan and Leigh Housing and the borough’s registered social landlords (RSL’s).
With increased demand for Council housing and growing evidence of people being unable to get a step on the housing ladder, housing bosses hope the new agreement will lead to a more co-ordinated approach towards tackling homelessness.
Councillor Keith Cunliffe, Cabinet Member for Community Protection, said "The housing associations have a big role to play in providing affordable housing for rent. The number of Council properties available for rent has reduced considerably in recent months. By strengthening our partnership with other housing providers it will help us target accommodation where it's most needed.
We all want to see the same outcome - a drop in homelessness and more decent affordable homes for the people who really need them".
(Contact: Steve Sargent - 01942 827702)
Community Safety
New Providers for Substance Misuse Services
Following approval by Cabinet on 2nd February 2006, two new providers have been selected to provide services in the borough for drug and alcohol users. As well as the existing range of services, we will be developing a Community Detoxification and Abstinence Service that will support more people in achieving a drug free lifestyle.
We will be improving the way in which users are engaged and retained in services by creating a single point of contact for all users seeking treatment. The new providers will take over with effect from 1st May 2006, and further information regarding the new services will be made available nearer the time.
Substance Misuse Services that are currently provided by 5 Boroughs Mental Health Trust will now be provided by Bolton, Salford and Trafford Mental Health Trust, and the Detox and Abstinence Service will be developed by Alcohol and Drugs Services, a charitable organisation
that has a range of services across the North West.
Further Information can be obtained from the Drugs and Alcohol Team on 01942 828037.
(Contact: Nicola Yates - 01942 828037)
Dual Com GPRS
Due to a recent increase in criminal activity at several council owned premises, a new signalling path for alarm systems is being introduced. Several properties had their telephone lines cut before thieves broke in, this prevented an intruder alarm alert being received by central watch. The new system will signal the alarm receiving centre even if the telephone line is cut, reducing the costs of damage and aiding GMP to catch criminals.
The security section, are putting together a programme for all council owned properties to change to the new system on a risk-based priority. The change will take time but the two main benefits are guaranteed alarm signalling and lower annual charges. Helping the council reduce the costs of burglary and achieve Gershon savings.
(Contact: Michell Woodburn - 01942 827450)