Frequently Asked Questions
- What is meant by a zero tolerance approach?
- Legislation
- Will someone who may be displaying unauthorised adverts receive a letter from the Council before it is removed?
- How long should a fly posting or sandwich board removal take following a notification?
- Can community groups or charities still display information about upcoming community events?
- My fly posting material was removed by the Council – can I retrieve it?
- My sandwich board was removed by the Council – can I retrieve it?
- What are the available methods of reporting unauthorised fly posting or sandwich boards to the Council?
What is meant by a zero tolerance approach?
In adopting a zero tolerance approach the Council will be adopting a more vigorous, no nonsense attitude to fly posting entailing its immediate removal and disposal to ensure that streets and verges are kept clutter free for improved tidiness and the protection of the visual amenity of the Council’s streetscape.
With regard to sandwich boards, they shall also be immediately removed, but will be retained by the Council for a limited period not exceeding 10 working days. Should the sandwich boards not be claimed by the owner(s) during this time then the Council will dispose of them
Legislation
Fly posting on private land or on privately owned property is addressed by means of planning legislation under The Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997. In these instances, fly posting issues are dealt with by the Council’s Planning Service’s Enforcement Team. Without prejudice to other advertisement control measures available under planning legislation, where the originator of the fly-posting can be identified or after reasonable enquiry can be found, the Council is required to give that person/company a minimum of two days notice prior to lawfully removing the item. If the material is still in place after this period then the Planning Service’s Enforcement Team would arrange for its removal. Where no originator of the fly posting on this land can be identified these items can be removed immediately.
Will someone who may be displaying unauthorised adverts receive a letter from the Council before it is removed?
Individuals/Companies who display their unauthorised advertisements within the boundary of the public road will not be notified of any removal which takes place.
Individuals/Companies who can be identified, that display their unauthorised advertisements on Private Land or on Privately owned property which is dealt with by the Council’s Planning Enforcement Team will receive a letter giving them a notice period of two days to remove their material. After this two-day period has expired, if the unauthorised advertisement is still in place then the Council will legally remove it.
How long should a fly posting or sandwich board removal take following a notification?
In most instances, the Council will strive to remove any unauthorised fly posting or sandwich boards within a period of five working days.
However, circumstances can arise (particularly when the fly posting is located on private land) where removal can take longer than the above five day period. In these circumstances fly posting would be removed at the earliest possible opportunity.
Can community groups or charities still display information about upcoming community events?
An exception to the zero tolerance approach to fly posting would apply to the advertising of charity and community group events, which can be permitted for agreed locations for set time periods on application to the Council's Roads & Neighbourhood Services for approval.
My fly posting material was removed by the Council – can I retrieve it?
No. Any fly-posting material removed by the Council will be recycled/disposed of at the Council’s Mavis Valley Recycling Centre.
My sandwich board was removed by the Council – can I retrieve it?
Yes. Sandwich boards removed by the Council will be retained by the Council for a limited period not exceeding 10 working days from the date of removal. Should the sandwich boards not be claimed by the owner(s) during this time, then the Council will dispose of this material.
For the duration of the 10 working day period sandwich boards will be stored at the Hilton Depot in Bishopbriggs. Sandwich board owners can collect their items from this Council facility.
Sandwich board owners who habitually ignore or persistently breach the Council’s zero tolerance statutory controls may be subject to legal action by the Council.
What are the available methods of reporting unauthorised fly posting or sandwich boards to the Council?
All fly posting and sandwich board notifications will be received via the Council’s Customer Services.