Agenda item - Field Officer

41.1    Annie Sparks, Regulatory Services Manager, gave a brief overview of the Field Officer role. She further noted that the role looks to expand and evolve depending on the needs of the area at that given time.

41.2    Residents had the following statements, concerns and enquiries:

·         A resident enquired what form of transport will be available to the Field Officer

·         It was enquired how this new role would relate to the Resident Involvement Officer’s

·         A resident enquired in what capacity the Field Officer will operate as

·         A resident requested a breakdown of funding for the role

41.3    Officers responded to resident’s questions, statement and concerns with the following:

·         Field Officers will have access to the City Car Club, paid public transport and the use of bikes, it was stressed that the transport provided would be dependent on the situation at the time

·         It was stressed that the role would not overlap the Resident Involvement Officer’s, rather that it was designed to supplement various roles in and around Brighton

·         Officers stated that the Field Officer role will be involved with areas such as noise pollution, food safety inspections, health and safety inspections, licensing and planning. It was clarified that the Field Officer will not be involved heavily in the aforementioned departments, rather that they would assist in small ways such as providing photographic evidence, assisting in cases regarding domestic noise, buskers, alarms, street trading, providing pro-active assistance with air quality by providing tube changes to air quality monitors across the City and more.

·         An Officer clarified that Field Officers would be invited to future Housing Management Area Panels

·         It was clarified that £42,000 would be transferred from noise money found in the Housing Revenue Account, it was also confirmed that other areas were being looked in to for funding.

41.4    AGREED – that the report be noted.