FI16776

Request

I am writing to request information relating to graffiti removal and cleansing responsibilities for Dover District Council assets. Specifically, please provide:

1. The council’s policy or operational guidance relating to the removal of graffiti from council-owned structures (including walls, bridges, and highway boundary features).

2. Any service standards or target response times for the removal of graffiti once it has been reported.

3. The department or service area responsible for managing graffiti removal on Dover District Council–owned assets.

4. The number of graffiti reports received within the district during the past 24 months and the average time taken to remove or address those reports.

5. Details of any cleansing or inspection regime that applies to the boundary walls located at the Alkham Road / Lower Road junction near Kearsney, Temple Ewell.

6. Any recorded reports, work orders, or service requests relating to graffiti at this location during the past 12 months. If any of the requested information is already publicly available, please provide a link to the relevant source.

Response

1. Graffiti shall be removed from public buildings, council-owned bus shelters, public conveniences, and council owned multi-storey car-parks, street/information signs, street furniture, walls and fences - therefore, generally being from any surface that does not form part of a private residence or business.

2. Once correctly reported, and providing it meets the criteria in 1) above and that it is safe and practicable to do so, the reported graffiti should generally be removed (or where necessary, blocked out) within 24 hours, or 4 hours if it is offensive.

3. Waste Services for the public realm, Property Services or Housing for Council owned assets.

4. 115 reports recorded to Waste Services (removed within one day).

5. None by Waste Services. Property Assets will undertake any inspections and cleaning of DDC owned boundary walls.

6. One received by Waste Services.