Councillor: Noise nuisance accounts must be heard Investigation will focus on resolving neighbour disputes
A Paisley councillor hopes the experience of residents dealing with noise nuisance issues will be called upon during an investigation into neighbour disputes in Renfrewshire.
The review was approved by elected members at last month’s audit, risk and scrutiny board and will report its findings to full council later this year.
It will try to establish the scale and nature of the problem in the area; set out the approaches of the council and other stakeholders in tackling it; consider actions available to resolve it and identify policy changes or measures that can be used in response.
Councillor Janis McDonald, a Labour representative for the town’s northwest ward, said she “welcomed” the focus of the scrutiny work and revealed that she was pleased to see it made a priority for the council.
The elected member has already spoken about the challenges posed by noise nuisance – caused by factors such as quad bikes, loud music and pets – which are frequently raised by constituents.
She added: “I am keen to see if the response to neighbour noise nuisance issues can be improved.
“I know from my caseload they are varied, persistent and not easy to resolve. People complaining are often seen as unreasonable. I hope some engagement can be done directly with people experiencing these issues so the investigation can understand the profound impact on people’s lives.”
For the purposes of the probe, a dispute will be defined as a “disagreement that causes stress or friction”.
Several common causes of issues between neighbours were identified in a recent report and relate to noise, access, shared amenities and facilities, boundaries, trees and high hedges, pets and the use of domestic CCTV cameras.
The investigation will look at “low level” disputes, as well as those that cross the threshold and need to be considered with reference to anti-social behaviour legislation.
The review’s lead officer will research available evidence on the severity of neighbour disputes and different levels of intervention available to resolve them, the role of the council and other key partners and tools they have at their disposal, as well as examples of best practice from other local authority areas which support resolution.
Evidence on the topic will be sought from the council’s housing and community safety services, registered social landlords, Police Scotland, Citizens Advice Bureau, tenants and residents associations and other local authorities.
Councillor McDonald added: “Ideally, those services named in the scope of the investigation will bring forward good evidence.
“The inclusion of issues around the increasing use of security cameras and digital devices is welcome too.
“It can be intrusive to the point of harassment.”
i know from my caseload they are varied, persistent and not easy to resolve