1. Title of Item/Report
Scrutiny Review of (Unauthorised) Roadside Advertising – Final Report of The Place Select Committee
2. Record of the Decision
Consideration was given to a report of the Place Select Committee’s review of (Unauthorised) Roadside Advertising
It was explained that following concerns regarding advertising being placed by the roadside, the review examined whether this is still causing a problem in the borough and how issues with roadside advertising were dealt with. The Committee was satisfied that the majority of roadside advertising followed the guidelines and that a coordinated approach was taken when issues were raised.
During the review, the Committee found that the Anti-Social Behaviour and Policing Act had given community safety the powers to deal with specific issues relating to unauthorised roadside advertising. There was now a coordinated approach between Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council teams when dealing with complaints, with all complaints being initially assessed and recorded by community safety and, where possible, resolved either through education and advice, warnings or enforcement action. Complaints relating to planning consideration are passed to planning service if all methods of resolving without enforcement action are exhausted. While Planning services followed the government guidance, they exercised a pragmatic approach when considering issues regarding deemed and express consent to ensure the limited resources were used appropriately.
There were no reported trends in accidents caused by signage and only 0.7% of all requests for community safety services from the public, since January 2022, were related to the issue. The majority of these were complaints for flyposting in commercial areas such as Portrack Lane, Stockton Town centre and Bon Lea Industrial Estate and these areas were monitored.
The Committee was therefore satisfied that unauthorised roadside advertising was no longer a major concern for the Borough and mechanisms were in place to deal with any issues efficiently and effectively. The review’s recommendations sought to ensure that the public was fully informed of the rules regarding roadside advertising and reporting systems were strengthened. The Committee felt that online reporting could be enhanced through the introduction of mapping layers, similar to the approach currently being used for reporting of flyposting and that the online reporting system should be reviewed to ensure that all relevant information was obtained to enable issues to be directed to the appropriate service for action.
RESOLVED that:-
1. further information and guidance regarding the planning regulations for roadside advertising be placed on the planning area of the website.
2. the online reporting system is reviewed to make it easier for members of the public to report an issue.
3. Reasons for the Decision
This topic was included on the Scrutiny Work Programme for 2023-24. The review was complete, and the recommendations had been endorsed by the Place Select Committee for submission to Cabinet.
4.Alternative Options Considered and Rejected
None
5. Declared (Cabinet Member) Conflicts of Interest
None
6. Details of any Dispensations
None
7. Date and Time by which Call In must be executed
Midnight Tuesday, 25 June 2024
Proper Officer