159 potentially dangerous structures in Derry & Strabane - Council told

However UUP alderman Derek Hussey warned that Derry City and Strabane District Council may not have the resources to enforce their responsibilities under the recently-approved Bill.

A Building Control Applications update report, which was presented to September’s Environment and Regeneration Committee, stated that from June 1 to July 31, 388 applications have been received for assessment.

The report also noted that Building Control currently has 159 files in relation to potentially dangerous structures, 33 of which have been opened in the last year.

Broken down by electoral area, the Moor had the highest number of potentially dangerous structures with 65 in total, followed by Waterside(33), Foyleside (27), Sperrin (13), Faughan and Derg (8 each), and Ballyarnett (5).

“Whilst some of these have been resolved (or partially resolved) by the owner, who is the party responsible, many will require further and ongoing intervention by staff,” the report added.

Earlier in the meeting, members welcomed news that the NI Assembly has approved the Dilapidation Bill, which will give local councils more enforcement power when dealing with those responsible for the upkeep of buildings.

Under the Bill, councils can issue enforcement notices requiring owners, occupiers, and others with a relevant interest to take appropriate remedial action to deal with dilapidation and neglect, or allow the council to take such action itself and recover its costs from the relevant person.

However, alderman Hussey warned that without proper funding, council would be unable to use these new enforcement powers.

”There is a concern that powers without resources achieve nothing,” he said. “Councils will need money, staff and expertise to use this legislation for the betterment of our communities.”

He asked if council had engaged with DAERA “with regard to the impact that this Bill can have and how council can operate within the criteria of the Bill”.

Director of Environment and Regeneration, Karen Philips, said the issue of funding had been discussed among council’s various departments, with other local councils, and at a Chief Executive level.

She said she will liaise with the council departments to “find out where we are in the most up-to-date position”, and return a report to the relevant Committee.

Speaking to the Building Control report, alderman Hussey said: “I presume those will fall under the issue that we’re talking about [the Dilapidation Bill], but to see that there are 159 dangerous structures within our council area is worrying.

“The responsibility may be passed on to councils, but again to emphasise that, without resources, we’re being asked to make bricks without straw.”