A dedicated 24 hour Noise Helpline - 0800 73 10 4 10 has been officially launched, as part of an  Ayrshire wide approach to tackling domestic noise complaints at any time of the day or night. 

Cathy Jamieson, Minister for Justice attended the launch along with   representatives from South, North and East Ayrshire Councils, and local MSP’s.  The Minister said:  “Communities across Scotland have been crying out for help in standing up to antisocial behaviour. That's why we responded with new legislative measures and additional resources so local agencies can target local problems. Antisocial noise is no laughing matter. It can ruin an individual or a family's quality of life. This joint initiative between the three Ayrshire Councils is a good example of providing a flexible service to tackle problem noise within Ayrshire.

"I hope it’s an important step in providing communities with a bit of peace."

In September 2004 the Scottish Government invited all Chief Officers of Environmental Health in Scotland to submit applications for grant funding to assist them in tackling noise nuisance. 

The Environmental Health Services of the three Ayrshire Councils viewed the  Antisocial Behaviour Etc., (Scotland) Act 2004 Part 5 Noise Provisions, as an opportunity to work together to establish a 24 hour service to deal with antisocial noise complaints.  

In order to comply with the Antisocial Behaviour Etc., (Scotland) Act 2004 Part 5 Noise Provisions, the Environmental Health Services of the three Ayrshire Councils agreed to work together to establish a 24 hour service to deal with antisocial noise complaints.   A pan Ayrshire approach was identified as being the most cost effect and efficient way of tackling the problem.

The project has been funded using £234,388 that was secured from the Scottish Government to create a dedicated Noise Unit in Ayrshire. 

Since October 2005 an out of hours team has been fully operational.  The  volume of complaints it has dealt with and the amount of warning letters and Fixed Penalty Notices it has issued, clearly indicate that Ayrshire has a need for this type of service.   Feedback from other agencies and the public, particularly those who have used the Ayrshire service, has been very positive.

South Ayrshire Council Depute Provost, Councillor Mary Kilpatrick said:    “The service which is being delivered is unique, in that it is the only example in Scotland of three local authorities working in harmony to deliver this type of specialist service.  By working in close partnership the Ayrshire Councils are ensuring that residents in Ayrshire can access the service that they want at any time of the day or night.”

The Ayrshire Environmental Health out of hours noise service has secured funding from the Scottish Government totalling £494,488 in financial years 2006/07 and 2007/08 which will allow Officers to continue to address domestic noise complaints.

Examples of domestic noise include excessive noise from the following:

1. Amplified music
2. DIY or car repairs
3. Domestic appliances such as television or washing machine
4. Musical instruments
5. Domestic alarm
6. Barking dogs
7. Banging doors
8. Raised voices

Councillor David Munn, Chair of the Corporate Services Committee, of North Ayrshire Council said:  “By using available legislation and establishing a dedicated 24 hour Noise Helpline, with Officers working in the evenings and at weekends across Ayrshire, I believe that the quality of many peoples lives will be improved.”

Antisocial behaviour is defined as ‘when a person acts in a manner that causes or is likely to cause alarm or distress or pursues a course of conduct that causes or is likely to cause alarm or distress’.  Anyone who creates excessive domestic noise is acting in an antisocial manner. 

The number of staff on duty out of hours varies as hours have been matched to the pattern of volume of calls during early mornings, evenings, at night and particularly at weekends. The staff will mediate and can issue issue warnings to offenders, and where necessary issue fixed penalty notices. All of the staff work closely with the antisocial behaviour teams within the three Ayrshire Councils and with Strathclyde Police.

Any telephone calls received on the 24 hour Noise Helpline during the daytime will automatically be filtered to the relevant local authority.  Outside of normal office hours all telephone calls will go to an office situated in East Ayrshire. 

Councillor Jim O’Neill, Chair of Community Services for East Ayrshire Council said:  “The Officers who respond to calls on the Noise Helpline are highly motivated and have the skills necessary to deal with delicate situations in an appropriate way.  Early intervention in domestic noise complaints can often bring the matter to a swift conclusion with all parties concerned remaining amicable.  This free service is one that people hope that they never need to use but it is very reassuring for all of us to know that it is there.”

During normal office hours anyone who would like general information on domestic noise should contact their local Environmental Health department on the following numbers:

South Ayrshire Council             01292 618222
North Ayrshire Council             01294 324300
East Ayrshire Council             01563 554022

Anyone in Ayrshire who is affected by unacceptable levels of domestic noise should call the Environmental Health 24 hours Noise Helpline, which is free, on 0800 73 10 4 10 and staff will be able to give advice and assistance.

Displaying the striking leaflets designed to promote the Domestic Noise Helpline are (left to right) Jim O'Neill, Chair Community Services Committee East Ayrshire Council, Depute Provost of South Ayrshire Mary Kilpatrick and Cathy Jamieson, Minister for Justice.

May 2006