Hunslet & Riverside and Beeston & Holbeck Ward Councillors have approved funding to continue to employ a dedicated Civic Enforcement Officer (CEO) to cover both wards. This will be the third time the post has been renewed due to its success at reducing illegal parking, and litter and dog fouling issues.
Cllr Angela Gabriel said:
“Having a local Civil Enforcement Officer has been of huge benefit to both wards. It has allowed Councillors to target problematic areas plagued with illegal parking or reduce litter and dog fouling problems effectively. The officer themselves are well regarded in the wider community and they have been making a real impact.”
In 2020/21 the CEO issued 650 Fixed Penalty Notices (FPN) and Penalty Charge Notices (PCN) which generated an income of £18,109. The money raised from these fines has been used to offset the £28,000 per annum cost to fund the role.
Cllr Elizabeth Nash added:
“The CEO position we have approved funding for again this year is great value for money. If it had not been for the impact of the pandemic, based on the number of FPNs and PCNs issued – the CEO was on track to be cost neutral for the Council this year. Therefore, Cllr Angela Gabriel, Andrew Scopes, Gohar Almass, Mohammed Iqbal, Paul Wray and I were more than happy to approve funding to cover the remainder of the £28,000 per annum cost of employment for the role.”
Councillors have said they are hopeful a full year of uninterrupted work will mean the CEO is fully paid for by the fines they have collected next year. Even if this is not the case – the positive impact the officer has on their wards is something they are all keen not to lose.
This post is based on a press release issued by Beeston & Holbeck and Hunslet & Riverside Wards
