October 2005
Paper 2005/24 (main report)
Paper 2005/25 (appendices)
ISBN 0 7559 2752 4 (main report)
ISBN 075592753 2 (appendices)
Report produced by Temple
Head Office: Barnards, Station Rd, Horsted Keynes, West Sussex RH17 7ED
T: 01825 790964 F: 01825 791066
Regional Office: Unit F, Fronds Park, Frouds Lane, Aldermaston, Berkshire RG7 4LH
T: 0118 971 4335 F: 0118 971 4365
E: admin@templegroup.co.uk
This document is also available in pdf format main report (776k) appendices (1.3mb)
Contents
Acknowledgements
Abbreviations
Consultation letter
Response Form
1. OVERVIEW
1.1. Aims
1.2. Application and Scope
1.3. Status and Aspirations
2. BACKGROUND
2.1. Introduction
2.2. Local Authority Feedback
2.2.1. Management Strategies and Procedures
2.3. Practical Considerations
2.4. Review
2.5. Key Noise Issues and Related Matters
2.6. Development of the Noise Management Guide
3. LOCAL AUTHORITY NOISE MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK
3.1. Local Authorities' Roles and Responsibilities
3.1.1. Proportionality
3.2. The Holistic Approach to Noise Control
3.3. Assessment of Local Need
3.4. Developing Noise Strategies, Policies and Procedures
3.4.1. Preventative Strategies
3.4.2. Land Use Planning
3.4.3. Licensing
3.4.4. Pro-active Initiatives
3.4.5. The Role of Other Local Authority Departments in Providing Noise Services
4. DELIVERING THE NOISE SERVICE
4.1. Service Standards
4.1.1. Out of Hours Provision
4.2. Resources
4.2.1. Health and Safety
4.2.2. Needs Assessment
4.3. Implementation
4.3.1. Who Delivers the Service
4.3.2. How is the Service Delivered?
4.3.3. Inception
4.3.4. Investigation and Enforcement
4.3.5 Statutory Nuisance
4.4. Prejudicial to Health
4.5. Health Effects of Noise
4.6. Guidance on the Investigation Duty
4.7. Requirement to Serve an Abatement Notice
4.8. Seizure of Equipment
4.9. High Court Proceedings
4.10. Dog Warden Services
4.11. Alternative Dispute Resolution including Mediation
4.12. Complaint Resolution
4.13. Competence
4.13.1. Service Expectations
4.13.2. Personnel Expectations
4.14. Safety
4.15. Inventories (Equipment and other issues)
4.16. Stakeholder Issues
4.17. Determination of an Appropriate Planning/Licensing Conditions
5. PUBLIC AWARENESS AND EDUCATION INITIATIVES
6. REVIEW OF NOISE SERVICE
6.1. How to carry out a Review
6.2. When to Review the Local Noise Service
6.3. General Information on Best Value and the LGISA 2003
6.4. Information on Best Value Audits
6.5. Good Practice - Consultation
6.6. Review of Existing Service
6.7. Challenging the Existing Service
Tables
Table 1 - Population Data for Scotland
Figures
Figure 1 - Map of Scotland with Identified LA Areas
Figure 2 - Detailed LA Areas within Box of Figure 1
Figure 3 - Numbers of Noise Complaints received by Scottish LA's 1999 to 2003
Figure 4 - Relationship between Action Taken and Total Numbers of Noise Complaints Received by Scottish LAs 2001 to 2003
Figure 5 - Authorities In Scotland with an 'Out Of Hours Service' Identified from Questionnaire Returns
Figure 6 - Range of Policies, Procedures and Protocols
Figure 7 - Range of Out Of Hours Service
Figure 8 - Main Obstacles to Delivering an Effective Noise Service
Figure 9 - Noise Management Spectrum_
Figure 10 - Hierarchy of Noise Management Guide Documents
Figure 11 - Pattern of Demand
Figure 12 - Complaint Investigation Flowchart
Figure 13 - An Example of an Assessment Framework where Noise is Alleged to be Prejudicial to Health
Glossary
Appendices (separate document)
Appendix 1 List of Relevant Statutes
Appendix 1.1 Current Noise Legislation
Appendix 1.2 Overview of Noise Nuisance
Appendix 2 Summary of Current Technical Standards
Appendix 3 Officers Guidance Notes - Complaint and Enforcement Matters
Appendix 3.1 Investigating a Complaint
Appendix 3.2 Guide to the Application of RIPSA
Appendix 3.3 Prioritisation of Complaints
Appendix 3.4 Record Sheets (Example of Noise Report Form, Diary Sheet and Time Plot)
Appendix 3.5 Written Evidence
Appendix 3.6 The Taking of Witness Statements
Appendix 3.7 Checklist for Assessing Correct Service of a Noise Notice
Appendix 3.8 Service of Abatement Notices and Seeking Interdicts
Appendix 3.9 Appeals against Section 80 Abatement Notices
Appendix 3.10 Defences in Proceedings for Breach of Abatement Notices
Appendix 3.11 Entry by Warrant and Powers of Seizure
Appendix 3.12 Information about Individuals taking their own Private Action - General Matters
Appendix 3.13 Acceptable Behaviour Contracts ( ABCs)
Appendix 3.14 Dealing with Persons with Mental Disorder
Appendix 3.15 Dealing with Planning Applications
Appendix 3.16 Liaison on Licensed Premises
Appendix 3.17 Construction Site Noise
Appendix 3.18 Dealing with Nuisance from Vehicle Alarms
Appendix 3.19 Dealing with Buildings' Intruder Alarms
Appendix 3.20 Expertise on Noise - Where to Obtain Assistance
Appendix 4 Personal Safety and Risk Assessments
Appendix 4.1 Guidance on Lone Working
Appendix 4.2 Risk Assessments - Examples of Typical Assessment Procedures
Appendix 5 Enforcement Protocol
Appendix 5.1 Enforcement Concordat - The Cabinet Office
Appendix 5.2 Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service Prosecution Code
Appendix 6 Example of Local Authority-Police Memorandum of Understanding
Appendix 7 Legal Response to Common Concerns Raised by Local Authorities
Question 1 Member Agreement/Ratification
Question 2 What Constitutes "Good Service"
Question 3 Recipient of Notice
Question 4 Timely Service of Notice after Nuisance Confirmed
Question 5 Poor Sound Insulation - Service of Notice
Question 6 Reliance on Diary Sheets for Service of Notice
Question 7RIPA and Noise Measurement Issues
Question 8 Sharing information between LA Departments and Data Protection Implications
Question 9 Complaint Investigation
Question 10 Legal Status of NMG
Question 11 Motor Vehicles on the Street
Question 12 Corroboration of Evidence
Question 13 Seeking Interdicts for Noise
Question 14 Seizure of Equipment
Question 15 Prosecution for Breach of Notice
Question 16 Poor Sound Insulation and Statutory Nuisance
Question 17 Out of Hours Services and Application of RIPSA