In support of its commitment to improve quality of life standards in the town Douglas Borough Council has restructured and strengthened its enforcement operation.
The move sees the introduction of Borough wardens after the role of the car park inspectors was widened to encompass environmental oversight. The wardens will be working with the Council’s enforcement officers to counter antisocial behavior such as dog fouling, litter, graffiti and fly tipping.
The wardens become part of the newly formed development and environment team which is located above Douglas Development Partnership’s offices in Victoria Street and now includes the building control section, one function of which is administering the dilapidated and ruinous property register. The section monitors the appearance of properties around the Borough to identify buildings failing to meet acceptable standards of maintenance and visual appearance and then works with the owners to rectify any problems.
Heading the team is assistant chief officer (corporate and development) Chris Pycroft who explained: ‘The Council views town centre regeneration as its number one priority, playing an active role in the work of the regeneration committee and committing substantial funds to improvement schemes. In support of this it is vital high standards of environmental quality are maintained across the Borough. Douglas Development Partnership is also a key player in this, driving much of the design framework for the “new-look” Douglas in collaboration with the Council, government and other town-centre stakeholders.
‘Against this background it is important we engender a sense of civic pride among the general public. To this end the heightened presence of Borough wardens will assist in ensuring the town’s byelaws are observed, and reminding the public that some offences under the Dogs Act and its byelaws and litter offences attract a fixed-penalty notice, with incidences of dog fouling more likely to result in court prosecutions.’
Public works committee chairman Councillor David Ashcroft said: ‘The Council is determined to do all it can to promote environmental responsibility and tackle antisocial activity such as litter offences which blight the town and have the potential to deter visitors and investors. We believe that with the public’s support combined with the introduction of Borough wardens as part of the Council’s reinvigorated development and environment operation, our aspirations for creating a cleaner, safer, greener town can be achieved.’
