This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Noise Action Week
23/05/2005
Noise Action Week was officially launched today at the National Society for Clean Air (NSCA) Scotland conference, Noise - The Big Issues, in Glasgow's Royal Concert Hall.
Deputy Environment and Rural Development Minister Lewis Macdonald called for people to respect their neighbours and be considerate in their actions.
The Minister said:
"The new Antisocial Noise provisions give local councils additional powers to tackle the problem of noisy neighbours quickly and effectively. They are an integral part of the wider drive to rebuild respect in our communities.
"Together with NSCA and local authorities, I want to use this conference to make clear that we will get tough with antisocial and environmental noise. Prevention, early intervention, enforcement and rehabilitation within a community framework are all part of the picture.
"Scottish Ministers have provided £2.88 million this year for local authorities wishing to introduce noise control services. The funding covers staffing, training and equipment costs.
"Six local authorities, including Glasgow City Council, have now launched their Antisocial Noise Teams and a further four are due to commence by July. Twelve other local authorities hope to introduce the service this year.
"Over £5 million in funding has been committed in the period up to 2008 to ensure local authorities are given every opportunity to develop their antisocial behaviour domestic noise services and help put an end to the scourge of noisy neighbours."
Today's conference includes an update on:
- the implementation of the Antisocial Behaviour Noise provisions
- the consultation on the implementation of the EC Environmental Noise Directive, which ends on June 1, and requires noise maps of major agglomerations by July 2007 and resulting action plans by 2008
- research report by Napier University on the impact of laminated and hard flooring on sound insulation, which will lead to Good Practice Guidance for suppliers and consumers later in 2005
- proposed consultation on the Noise Management Guidance, which will include good practice advice on all noise issues for local authorities
CASE STUDY
Edinburgh City Council launched their Noise service on April 1 this year. They have so far dealt with over 1,000 complaints, and issued over 240 verbal warnings, 68 Warning Notices and one Fixed Penalty Notice. Lothian & Borders Police have reported a marked decrease in corresponding calls, freeing up their resources to tackle more serious crime.
Regulations under the Antisocial Behaviour etc (Scotland) Act 2004 - the Antisocial Behaviour (Noise Control) (Scotland) Regulations 2005 - came into force on February 28, 2005.
The Executive is providing funding of £2.88 million in 2005 and has secured further funding of at least £2.3 million for 2006 and £3.0 million in 2007 under the Spending Review 2004 process.
The noise provisions give complementary powers to local authorities to tackle domestic noise complaints. The provision goes beyond UK and European legislation by providing objective noise levels at all times of day.
If the noise levels are breached on measurement after a Warning Notice has been issued this can lead to a Fixed Penalty Notice of £100 issued to the responsible person. If the Notice is not paid within 28 days this can lead to prosecution and a maximum fine of £1,000 on conviction.
Those local authorities who choose to adopt the noise provisions will be provided with funding through a grant payment scheme. Local authorities can decide when and if they wish to adopt the noise provisions and what periods of the day, night or week they wish to choose. Edinburgh City Council, for example, have decided to provide a noise service for 20 hours a day, Monday to Friday and 22 hours per day, from 6.00am to 4.00am at the weekend.
These provisions build on powers already introduced under the Antisocial Behaviour Act to tackle grafitti, fly-tipping and intimidation from gangs of youths.
Edinburgh Council is the first of 22 local authorities, who have adopted the provisions, to commence the new antisocial behaviour noise services.
Five other local authorities have commenced to date. East Lothian, who are utlising Edinburgh's service on April 1, Dumfries & Galloway also commenced on April 1, East Renfrewshire on April 2, North Lanarkshire on May 2, and Glasgow on May 4.
Three other authorities are due to commence in June - Renfrewshire, South Lanarkshire, Inverclyde and Angus will follow on July 1.
The remaining 12 local authorities who have applied for funding in 2005 are:
Aberdeen City, Argyll & Bute, Clackmannanshire, East Ayrshire, Falkirk, Midlothian, North Ayrshire, Orkney Isles, Perth & Kinross, South Ayrshire, West Dunbartonshire, and West Lothian.