Noisy neighbours? Tell us in advance (From Echo)
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Noisy neighbours? Tell us in advance
11:00am Friday 14th September 2012 in Local News
A COUNCIL is unlikely to come out if you complain that your neighbours are being noisy – because it needs advance notice.
The policy emerged after a resident called Southend Council’s environmental health out-of-hours noise abatement service to report a rowdy party in the early hours of Sunday morning, but was told no one could help.
The resident, who didn’t want to be named, said: “One of my neighbours was having a party, with music blaring. “I’m reasonable, but this noise was keeping my children up. I contacted the out-of-hours service at Southend Council to be told, ‘sorry we have no one to come out’.
“After pushing a little further I was finally told this was due to staffing levels. So they are doing nothing. “What I would like to know from them is what exactly are they wasting my £1,100 council tax on?”
The council’s out-of-hours service includes noise nuisance and other complaints. It operates each Friday and Saturday night from 5pm to 1am, but this can vary to cover daytime events, according to the council. The service is also available one evening a week, up to 9pm.
Carl Robinson, Southend Council’s group manager for regulatory services, said workers’ shifts were geared towards responding to prior calls rather than dealing with calls as they happen.
He added: “In general, the workload for each out-of-hours shift is pre-planned, using complaint data to target the most persistent issues, including noise.
“This means, although any resident contacting us on a particular night may not receive an immediate response, all calls are recorded, which helps us then plan our forthcoming out-of-hours workload schedules.
“We take issues of noise nuisance very seriously and would like to reassure residents their complaints are listened to and dealt with appropriately.”
Anyone suffering noise nuisance issues can call the council on 01702 215000.
Comments(12)
aduksquack
says...
11:39am Fri 14 Sep 12
Brunning999
says...
3:43pm Fri 14 Sep 12
The Police are basically now fulfilling their secondary purpose of dealing with things that have or are happening.
The primary purpose of the Police prevention of crime is basically left to poorly trained many overweight even obese PCSO's who do not work night work.
One of the reasons for this is the growing number of people that take and gain from the tax system and the reducing numbers of tax payers.
Keptquiettillnow
says...
5:04pm Fri 14 Sep 12
Tbh most people can accept 1am, its when is 3 or 4am its wrong.
Then again its SBC, what did I expect.
munroclare
says...
8:47pm Fri 14 Sep 12
Alec Cikes
says...
9:35pm Fri 14 Sep 12
Is there really any need for you to go complaining to the council in advance about noise? I don't think so.
As Council tenants within a block why not try to establish amicable & trustworthy relationships within your building that shows respect to your neighbours.
When you know you're going to hold a such party on a particular night, why not put your neighbours in the know... knock on their door, leave them a leaflet, saying that you'll be holding a venue on the 30 Sept.
Be reasonable, don't be planning parties every night of the week, but do inform your neighbours when you are. Where there is respect, communication will usually hold you in good stead.
Good luck to yous.
essex56
says...
10:37pm Fri 14 Sep 12
munroclare wrote:I have a similar problem with noise and other unacceptable behaviour. The council sent them a letter which made no difference, then I contacted the local councillor who went to talk to them but made the situation even worse. He then advised us to soundproof our home, why should we? They are the ones causing the problem. I won't be voting again as I will not elect people full of hot air and broken promises.
A few years ago I was calling the out of hours number every night of the week as my neightbour loved to do DIY along to music from 1am onwards. There used to be a lovely man, who worked on his own who would attend. On one night in particular the police attended as well, but would only stand and watch whilst the out of hours mans dealt with my abusive neighbour who was threatening. The police would not even tell him to turn the music off. It was only when I started contacted the daytime number EVERY HOUR ON THE HOUR for a day that they sent my neighbour a letter. When this obviously made NO difference, I told them that I had recorded him and would contact my local news station and show them up for failing to act properly. Within 2 days all his equipment was confiscated and he received a criminal asbo. You really have to be foreceful with the council or they will leave it.
reptile
says...
10:12am Sat 15 Sep 12
BIRLIS
says...
12:42pm Sat 15 Sep 12
Living in a community is give and take....
jolllyboy
says...
4:51pm Sun 16 Sep 12
smalrh
says...
6:50pm Sun 16 Sep 12
devil's fury
says...
2:47pm Mon 17 Sep 12
Ready for it?
Anyone want to tell the council in advance?
BANG! There it was. No council and my kids slept right through.
Noisy neighbours is not public order. Not according to the definition under the Public Order Act! It may be anti-social behaviour!
What do you expect the police to do about the noise?? Raid the place and confiscate all sources of music?
I'm told the police prioritise their calls. I'm glad they do. I'd rather pay taxes for them to attend violent incidents, injury accidents and serious crimes first and before a noisy party that disturbs your TV viewing! When my kids are tired they sleep through anything!
Everyone makes noise, so live and let live killjoys.
fletch12107 says...
11:39am Fri 14 Sep 12