Engage hosted a very productive meeting with representatives of Liverpool City Council on Friday 20th September 2024 and residents who live in some of the apartment complexes locally which was held at FACT in Ropewalks.
From time to time there are issues that cause disquiet and concern to the people who have moved into apartments in locations across the city centre where they are cheek by jowl with the Night Time Economy (NTE). Of course it is always possible to develop and indeed deliver a city centre where the population is respectful of the businesses in the NTE and that is equally appreciated and reciprocated by the many pubs, bars and night clubs that have sprung up close to residential buildings.
However it does need careful management and the meeting that was facilitated by the newly appointed City Centre and Waterfront Neighbourhood Manager Gary O’Rourke brought together residents with Paul Farrell, Operations Manager Environmental Protection at Liverpool City Council. It was a respectful and very informative gathering. Everyone listened carefully and questions were asked and answers given that were clear, precise and helpful.
There are limitations around what the Environmental Team are able to resolve. They can only act within the provisions provided by the legislation on the matter for example of what constitutes a Statutory Nuisance regarding noise or a Injurious incident leading to a complaint. In many of these cases the incident will need to be during a post-11.00pm time and be evidenced from within the flat. That does not discount earlier times at all but it makes taking a case to court or tribunal more challenging.
One of the biggest learnings for the residents present was that the only evidence that is acceptable in any legal proceeding is that witnessed directly by a member of the Environmental Health team. So following a complaint or complaints access to an apartment will be essential if the complaint is to be upheld and action taken. There are a number of ways a complaint can be made. Here is the direct link to the Noise Complaints section of the Council’s website HERE.
It was fascinating to learn that there have only been 27 complaints made about noise in the Ropewalks area in the past 5 years. Action can be taken in many ways too. Environmental Health (EH) staff will usually lead on the response and can work closely both with the police and also with their Licensing Enforcement colleagues. But residents need to ensure that they enable EH staff to both witness and corroborate the source of the noise complaint, which might need to be done internally as well as externally.
There is a helpful way that a picture can be built up by affected residents and this is by using a council-generated Log Sheet so that a clear pattern of intrusive noise is logged, identified and subsequently shared with the Council. Questions that will need to be addressed by any resident is how loud, how often and for how long? The Log Sheet will assist with this.
One other element that could be very helpful to residents keen to build up a case will be the conditions imposed by the Licensing Committee (and at times also the Planning Committee) on the premises in question. This can be done via the Search the Licensing Register on the Council’s website HERE. There is also a section entitled Complaints About Licensed Premises which can be accessed HERE.
The residents who met with the council officers were from Manolis Yard and the Jam Works. If you have any issues in Ropewalks or other areas of the city centre Engage is ready and willing to support you to try and resolve the issues you might have. Simply email chair@engageliverpool.com and we will respond as soon as possible.
It has been suggested that in the near future Engage should organise an event for residents to reflect together with council officers and elected members on the quality of life and sustainability of city centre living. We will keep you informed. If interested please let us know.