ENVIRONMENT SERVICE
Environment Service has
responsibility for the regulatory functions of the Council,
including environmental health, licensing, building control,
development control and environmental protection. Whilst we mainly
operate with an advisory approach, all of these
responsibilities are based on Acts, Regulations and/or Directives,
with Officers operating under detailed guidance, policies and
professional practice.
The other main function of
Environment Service is to provide the basic frontline services of
the Council such as refuse collection, street cleaning, provision
of public toilets and car parks.
Building Control
This Team looks after the Council's functions under the
Building Regulations, and safeguarding the public in the tackling
of dangerous structures, e.g. bad fire damage. The Team also deals
with Housing Renovation Grants for private housing and a
Council-wide function to advise on disability access.
Additionally, there is the Local Land Charges function which
manages and responds to searches submitted by property purchasers,
but it is also necessary to keep the register of charges up to date
and to respond to personal searches.
Development Management
Development Management deals with all aspects of the control
of development under the Town and Country Planning Acts.
Planning applications and similar controls over trees, hedgerows,
advertisements are supported by a strong enforcement
activity. In addition, the Conservation and
Regeneration Officer is responsible for the Council's activities to
protect and enhance the District's built heritage, mostly working
outside the National Park.
Environmental Health
The service aims to protect public
health in a variety of ways including food safety, health and
safety at work, monitoring of private water supplies, pest control,
noise control, pollution control, contaminated land and dealing
with general nuisances. In addition, the service has
responsibility for all the Council's licensing functions for a wide
range of licences including alcohol, entertainment, taxis, boarding
kennels, caravan sites and lotteries etc.
Waste & Street Scene
The service has responsibility for
refuse collection, recycling and commercial waste. The recycling
activities include kerbside collections for garden waste and dry
materials e.g. paper, glass and cans, as well as over 50
'bring-to' recycling sites around the district. The service also
undertakes street cleaning, the wider role of street scene and
dealing with environmental crime. This includes abandoned vehicles,
fly tips, litter, dog fouling and stray dogs. Additional duties
include cleaning of public toilets and responsibility for the
Council's vehicle fleet.
Open Space and Amenities
The service aims to provide quality
open space and recreation areas throughout the district for
residents and visitors. This includes amenity parks, woodlands,
riverside walks and play areas. The service also has responsibility
for public toilets, car parks, cemeteries and cleaning of our
public buildings and offices
Print page
Last updated:
07 March 2008
