A WEEK of action to tackle fly tipping, dangerous driving and anti-social behaviour will begin on Monday.

Calderdale Council aims to show there is “no messing” with its week of action which runs next week, where enforcement will be stepped up across the borough.

It will focus on a range of issues which the Council says blight communities, including fly-tipping, lack of compliance with rules for dog owners, dangerous parking and speeding, litter, anti-social behaviour, animal welfare and food safety issues, behaviour that could increase the risk of moorland fires, and idling vehicles which cause air pollution and contribute to climate change.

It follows the council’s adopting a “firm but fair” tougher approach to enforcement earlier this year in areas which affect the quality of everyone’s lives and the week will also see the introduction of Calderdale’s new Community Protection Team, which brings together its Community Safety, Environmental Health and Licensing Teams.

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This will speed up the enforcement process by ensuring issues are assessed and quickly passed to the most relevant and appropriately skilled employees, to stop problems escalating in severity and cost, says the council.

The council’s Cabinet member for Public Services and Communities, Coun Susan Press (Lab, Todmorden) says rules and laws are in place to help keep local communities safe, attractive and pleasant places to live and provided protection for Calderdale’s distinct environment.

“In our ‘first 100 days’ programme, we pledged to run a week of enforcement action in September to highlight that everyone has a duty to follow the rules, and we won’t hesitate to take action against those who ignore them.

“It will also showcase the huge range of enforcement work carried out by the council in partnership with other organisations,” she said.

Although the council agreed to step up enforcement permanently, admitting it had faced criticisms it had at times been perceived as a soft touch by some people, the week will see some specific goals.

For example, its planning team will be tackling unsightly buildings in urban areas and the countryside, with a focus on historic buildings which are a key part of Calderdale’s distinctiveness.

The team’s recent successful application to the Government’s Planning Enforcement Fund has secured £50,000 to build on this work and develop quicker and more efficient enforcement through improved use of technology, says the council.

Since approving a tougher enforcement policy in February the council has expanded its team of Community Safety Wardens, who patrol the borough “24/7” providing visible reassurance and tackling key issues, added Coun Press, with the team supported by a CCTV vehicle and body cameras.

Over spring and summer 2019, they issued 84 Fixed Penalty Notice fines for offences such as littering, dog fouling and failing to adhere to public space protection orders.