Luton Borough Council
Biscot
Ward Forums
Issues Raised
Reviewed GJR/20/03/14
BISCOT WARD FORUM ACTIONS
Ref
1
Date of
Forum
13/6/13
Issue
Brook Street
Major concerns expressed
about the flats in Brook Street
(LBC)
 The car park barrier is not
operational.
 Residents from other areas
are parking in the enclosure.
 Rubbish
 Drug dealing/taking.
Solution
Who should be
involved?
LBC
Housing
Department
Police
Referred to
Mike
Rowley
Outcome
Car Park Barrier.
3 attempts since Jan 2011 to re-instate
barrier to correct use has seen damage
done within 24 hours / and/or local
persons claiming locked in and no keys.
Currently only one resident in area
complains of this issue.
Other Residents Parking in Area
This is not part of a restricted parking
zone so others may park there despite
old signs stating parking for residents
only which is no more than a polite
request.
Rubbish.
Is this about the Bin collection points
rather than Brook Street generally. Area
inspected every two weeks . Will inspect
more regularly to see if improvement.
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BISCOT WARD FORUM ACTIONS
Ref
2
3
4
Date of Issue
Forum
24/10/13 Biscot Road
Needs resurfacing – Sooner
rather than later. Where is it on
the schedule or works?
Request list?
24/10/13 Biscot Road
Litter along the whole road.
On what days is litter
picking/road sweeping carried
out in this area?
24/10/13 Illegal parking taking place
 Argyle Avenue from Biscot
Road
 Alexandra Avenue on to New
Bedford Road
Solution
Take enforcement
action
Who should be
involved?
LBC
Highways &
Engineering
Referred to
Outcome
Mark
Aaronson
Resurfacing is programmed for July
2014. Notification letter will be sent out
prior to the works
LBC
Street Services
Alex
Greene
LBC
Parking Services
Tony
Stefano
Cleansing is scheduled for once a week
but after speaking with the area charge
hand he has Biscot Road done 3 times a
week, Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
We have replaced our small litter bins
with new Luton style litter bins from
Wybone, helping with holding more litter
and not filling up as fast and spilling over.
Civil Enforcement Officers have
undertaken enforcement at both locations
on 17 occasions and as a result 4
Penalty Charge Notices have been
issued. Further monitoring and
enforcement activity to take place.
(T Stefano – Feb 2014).
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BISCOT WARD FORUM ACTIONS
Ref
5
Date of
Forum
20/3/14
Issue
Solution
141. Alexandra Avenue
Shouting and noisy behaviour
by grown up men. A group of
up to 8 to 10 people during the
Spring and Summer, often until
1am in the morning
Who should be
involved?
LBC
Community Safety
Referred to
Emma
Purkiss
Outcome
If the issues are from that dwelling
residents need to call Environmental
Health Noise Team that deals with noise
nuisance complaints, They can
investigate and take relevant action. If
problems escalate the residents can call
Bedfordshire Police on 101 when the
noise is taking place
Emma Purkiss
Community Safety Officer
SoLUTiONS Priority Anti- Social
Behaviour Team
Luton Police Station
Buxton Road
01582 394272
Also please see below.
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20/3/14
Alexandra Avenue
Parking issues. People parking
irresponsibly and on the
pavement.
7.
20/3/14
8
20/3/14
Enforcement action
LBC
Parking Services
Tony
Stefano
Co-op Biscot Road
Ray problems in the vicinity.
LBC
Environmental
Health
Paul Adams
Litter bins required
Alexandra Avenue
Argyle Avenue
Bath Road (on the bend)
LBC
Street Services
Alex
Greene
The division have no litter bins at present.
As part of the budget reduction
programme no new litter bins have been
ordered.
Alex Greene
Cleansing Manager
Tel: 01582 546888
Email: alex.greene@luton.gov.uk
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BISCOT WARD FORUM ACTIONS
Ref
9.
Date of
Forum
20/3/14
Issue
Bonfires
Residents lighting bonfires in
their gardens. A number of
people also burning rubber.
Solution
Who should be
involved?
LBC
Environmental
Health
Referred to
Outcome
Please see below.
Noisy neighbours
Many noise problems, particularly those involving neighbours, can be dealt with by having a friendly word with the person who is making the noise.
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What can I do about noisy neighbours?
First of all, try talking to your neighbour about the problem. You may find this difficult, but often people are unaware they are causing a problem. Most neighbours will
do what they can to reduce their noise.
Here are some suggestions on how to talk to your neighbour about a problem:
Plan what you are going to say.
Be polite, keep calm and try to keep things light-hearted and friendly.
Explain how their noise is affecting you.
To start off with, you could try asking your neighbour if they can hear noise from your property.
Avoid approaching your neighbour when the noise is actually happening. You are more likely to be angry and have an argument.
Try writing to your neighbour
If you can't or don't want to approach your neighbour in person, send them a polite letter explaining the problem.
Try mediation
If your friendly approach doesn't work, contact Luton Mediation. Mediation can help neighbours sort out problems. There is no charge for this service.
How can the council help?
If you've spoken to your neighbour and things haven't improved, contact us for help.
When you make a complaint, we will write to your neighbour to let them know we're investigating a noise problem.
We will not tell your neighbour who has made the complaint. However, sometimes a neighbour will guess who has complained or may ask you.
The letter to my neighbour hasn't worked, what should I do next?
We hope the letter will resolve the problem. However, if the noise continues you will need to contact us again. Your case will then be passed to an officer in the
Environmental Protection team for investigation.
How will the council investigate the noise problem?
The officer will need to decide if your neighbour is causing a legal nuisance. If the noise happens during office hours an officer will visit you. If the noise happens at
other times, we will install recording equipment in your home.
What legal action can be taken?
If your neighbour is causing a legal nuisance, an abatement notice will be served. The notice will require the noise nuisance to stop.
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If the problem continues, we may prosecute your neighbour (maximum fine £5000). We may also seize any noise-making equipment such as stereos, computers,
televisions or musical instruments.
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When is a noise a legal nuisance?
For a noise to be a legal nuisance it must be unreasonable and interfere with the use and enjoyment of your home. Several factors determine whether a noise is
nuisance including:
the time of day the noise occurs
how loud it is
how long it lasts
how often it occurs
your location
However, the council is unable to help if the noise is caused by ordinary household activities, children playing or is due to poor sound insulation.
Can I take my own legal action?
For information, download our advice sheet below.
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How can I make a complaint about noise?
Online
Report a noise problem
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call 01582 51 03 30, Mon-Fri, 8am-6pm, except Wed, 10am-6pm
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Bonfires
Every year we receive hundreds of complaints about smoke from bonfires. This is why we're asking Luton residents not to have bonfires.
Is it illegal to have a bonfire?
There is no law against having bonfires. However, the smoke or the smell of the smoke could cause a statutory nuisance under section 79(1)(b) of the
Environmental Protection Act 1990. (See ‘What legal action can be taken?’)
What is a statutory nuisance?
A statutory nuisance is an activity that is prejudicial to health and unduly interferes with a person’s enjoyment of their property and land. Bonfire smoke
causes air pollution and can make people with breathing problems feel unwell. It can also upset your neighbours preventing them from opening
windows, using their gardens, or hanging washing out.
Can I use a garden incinerator?
Burning waste materials in a garden incinerator can also cause a smoke nuisance, so we are asking Luton residents not to use them.
What are we asking Luton residents to do?
We ask all Luton residents not to have bonfires and to get rid of rubbish and garden waste in the following ways:
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Try to compost your garden waste
Take your rubbish and garden waste to the household waste and recycling centre’s in Eaton Green Road or Progress Way (off Toddington
Road).
Call us to arrange a free collection of up to 10 bulky items, 01582 510333
Hire a skip
I think my neighbour is causing a smoke nuisance, what can I do?
If you feel comfortable speaking to your neighbour, try having a chat with them about the problem. It may be the case that your neighbour is unaware
they are causing a problem.
How can we help?
If you don't feel able to talk to your neighbour, or talking to them hasn't worked, contact us for help. We will write to your neighbour to ask them not to
have bonfires in future. We will also tell them about better ways of disposing of garden and other waste.
What legal action can be taken?
We have legal powers to stop a smoke nuisance caused by a bonfire. If a person causes a smoke nuisance, we will serve a notice. A person who
ignores the notice commits a criminal offence which can result in a fine of up to £5000.
How can I make a complaint?
Call 510330, Mon-Fri, 8am to 6pm, except Wed, 10am-6pm.
Environmental health
Luton Borough Council, Town Hall, George Street, Luton, Bedfordshire, LU1 2BQ - Tel: 01582 510330 - Fax: 01582 546676
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