Policies & Procedures

Scotter Parish Council

Unauthorised Items on Council Land Policy

1. Purpose

This policy sets out how Scotter Parish Council will manage items left on land owned or managed by the Council without its permission.

The policy seeks to:

protect the safety of users of Council land;

enable the Council to discharge its duties as landowner and occupier;

ensure Council land remains available for the benefit of all users;

enable routine inspection and maintenance to be undertaken safely and efficiently;

ensure a fair, transparent and consistent approach.

2. Scope

This policy applies to all land owned or managed by the Council, including but not limited to:

recreation grounds;

children’s play areas;

open spaces;

village greens (where applicable);

amenity land;

public seating areas.

3. Unauthorised Items

Unless the Council has given prior written permission, no person may leave or install personal property on Council land.

Examples include (but are not limited to):

portable football goals;

basketball hoops;

play equipment;

trampolines;

ramps;

benches;

planters;

garden furniture;

storage boxes;

signs or notices;

fencing or barriers;

any other privately owned structure or equipment.

This list is not exhaustive.

4. Reasons for the Policy

The Council has responsibility for managing its land in a safe and responsible manner.

Unauthorised items may:

create hazards for members of the public;

obstruct inspections, grass cutting or maintenance;

interfere with the intended use of the land;

deteriorate through weather or misuse;

create uncertainty regarding ownership, maintenance and liability;

give the impression that the item forms part of the Council’s facilities when it does not.

The Council therefore reserves the right to require the removal of any unauthorised item.

5. Requests for Permission

Any person wishing to place an item on Council land must obtain the Council’s prior written permission.

In considering any request, the Council may take account of:

public safety;

suitability of the location;

equality of access;

maintenance implications;

insurance considerations;

ownership and future responsibility;

inspection requirements;

impact on neighbouring residents;

consistency with the Council’s policies.

The Council is under no obligation to grant permission.

Permission may be granted subject to conditions or refused.

6. Removal of Unauthorised Items

Where an unauthorised item is found on Council land, the Council may:

 identify the owner where reasonably practicable;

request that the owner removes the item within a specified period;

remove the item if it is not removed within that period;

remove the item immediately where the Council considers that it presents a safety risk, obstructs maintenance or requires urgent action.

The Council will determine what constitutes a reasonable period having regard to the circumstances.

7. Storage of Removed Items

Where practicable, removed items will be stored for a reasonable period to allow collection by the owner.

The Council does not accept responsibility for:

deterioration;

weather damage;

vandalism;

theft;

or any other loss occurring before or after removal.

If an item is not collected within the period specified by the Council, it may be disposed of or otherwise dealt with in accordance with the law.

8. Liability

Items left on Council land remain the responsibility of their owner.

The Council accepts no responsibility for privately owned items left on its land without permission.

9. Equality and Consistency

The Council will apply this policy consistently to all users.

Each case will be considered on its individual merits, taking account of any specific risks or circumstances.

10. Review

This policy will be reviewed periodically or following any significant incident, change in legislation or operational requirements.

Policy adopted: _20/07/2026

Minute reference: 2607/10

Next review: July 2029