howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#1
Guest 725- Registered: 7 Oct 2011
- Posts: 1,418
#2
No mention about increasing the penalties for assault on the person. Nothing about the disgrace of dogs killing children.
Remember that next time you're given the chance to vote.
Jan Higgins
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,931
#3
All very well increasing the fines but are there enough police to catch offenders in the first place.
I often see drivers using their phones while driving which according to a news item the other day could be more dangerous than drink driving.
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I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
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howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#4
A trucker was recently charged over watching a video in his cab while driving on a dual carriageway/motorway.
Guest 700- Registered: 11 Jun 2010
- Posts: 2,868
#5
They need to stop mobile phones being used - whatever the cost - as it is a regular habit with some people.
"£4,000 fine for not buying a TV licence: And drivers face £10,000 penalty for motorway speeding
Maximum a magistrate can currently impose for licence evaders is £1,000
Ministers only recently announced review into de-criminalising offence
But it is not due for a year - meaning fines will rise sharply until then
Huge penalties part of reforms to give magistrates' courts greater power"
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Lincolnshire Born and Bred
Andy B
- Location: dover
- Registered: 10 Nov 2012
- Posts: 1,829
#6
Last year my son was walking home from school when he was attacked and badly bitten by a pit bull terrier type dog owned by a local druggie scumbag.They was fined just £100 and ordered to pay my son £100 compensation for the injurys he suffered.To this day he has not yet seen a single penny of the award and probably never will.How the hell these idiots can talk of 4grand fines for tv licences is beyond belief.
Brian Dixon
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
#7
typical scrape of the barrel,with an election due in 11 months government likes to get tough.
Jan Higgins- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,931
#8
Andy, having seen the BBC TV programmes try sending in the Sheriff, they might get your compensation that is owing.
This might help.
http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/scotland/debt_s/debt_action_the_creditor_can_take_s/sheriff_officers_scotland.htm-----------------------------------------------------------------------
I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
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Andy B- Location: dover
- Registered: 10 Nov 2012
- Posts: 1,829
#9
I saw the programme Jan.When i last spoke to the court office i was told that the award should have been paid in full by Feb this year.I was told that they might have to send in a debt collecter but i doubt that they,ll have much luck.The scumbag sleeps most of the day and doesnt answer the door to anyone,thats how popular they are.If not in they can usually be seen enhancing the image of Dover,boozing it up with friends,sometimes in the market square or pencester usually making a nuisance and shouting at passers by,so unless the money is collected from their generous benefit handouts i doubt if there is any left.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#10
County courts can issue an "attachment on earnings" to collect outstanding debts, I don't know whether a magistrates court can do likewise and whether it can be done on benefits.
Brian Dixon- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
#11
yes howard they can,i know some one who has had it happen.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#12
I think we would all like to see rogue landlords given hefty fines but I am not confident that our magistrates are up to it, new powers or not.
http://www.theguardian.com/money/2014/jun/14/rogue-landlords-bigger-fines-town-hall-chiefshoward mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#13
Men of the people Peter Wallace and John Heron targeted the Folkestone Road today and came across a house that had been converted into "ten hovels" they will be following up on this.
2 points here.
a) DDC say they have regular visits to this section of town and haven't found any great problems!!
b) I am waiting to hear back how many of these "hovels" have kitchens and bathrooms as I feel sure that they don't have them individually.
Andy B- Location: dover
- Registered: 10 Nov 2012
- Posts: 1,829
#14
I expect that the visits made by DDC are pre-arranged so giving plenty of time to put things and people in order.
Jan Higgins- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,931
#15
Peter Wallace seems to be an excellent councillor.
Andy, I think they have to notify landlords of any official visit much like they do with nursing homes, one reason why so many are above or up to standard only on visiting day.
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I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
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Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
#16
Last year I think it was (may have been the year before), I requested that DDC officers visited Amsterdam House to check on a number of aspects of it and they did pay an impromptu visit but was told that they could only see part of the house and would have to book an appointment to look all round the house two weeks hence, which they did, but nothing was found.
I have been talking to DDC for years about overcrowding; I do doubt that Peter would find anything that I didn't, but I do wish him well to resolve them. Either shortage of officers or officer-time, is usually the reason why full success is not forthcoming.
The officers at DDC do try to keep a cap on things and work very hard and do have many successes.
A couple of years or so ago, I contacted DDC about Selective Licensing (this is to control bad landlords), but was told that it couldn't be brought in as there were too many owner-occupiers and not enough rented accommodation around the lower part of Folkestone Road and the Clarendons. I didn't think this was the case, but didn't have the figures, so it was dropped.
I do think this would help, certainly cure the overcrowding and quality of the places rented out.
Roger
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#17
Spot on Roger with the selective licencing scheme, I believe Pam Brivio raised this matter on here recently but being a cynical type I suspect the idea will end up in the "too difficult" box.
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
#18
Thanks Howard.
I've emailed the Enforcement Team at DDC about it, asking about possible progress. I'll let you know what they say.
Roger
Guest 1391- Registered: 1 Nov 2014
- Posts: 199
#19
Selective Licensing is still very much on the agenda; at first it was thought that criteria could not be achieved but in about April guidelines were changed to,include condition of properties, as Dover has a higher than average % of private rented properties that do not meet the decent homes standards, this means hopefully progress will be made on adopting a scheme. But unfortunately does take time! I expect Roger will get an answer along these lines.
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
#20
Thank you Pam.
Roger