Sunderland's drone pilots at risk of being 'poached' by other councils after training investment
Sunderland City Council is training more drone pilots to combat fly-tipping and anti-social behaviour across Wearside, despite fears that staff could be "poached" by other councils. The council has bought several drones in recent years to assist with enforcement work throughout the city, including tackling fly-tipping and waste-dumping offences.
A 2021 presentation to councillors stated that the drones would aid the council in monitoring fly-tipping in "hidden places", providing crucial aerial images and intelligence for council officers during their investigations. Since the purchase of the drones, they have been utilised in collaboration with Northumbria Police to investigate reports of anti-social behaviour, including off-road motorcycle incidents.
During a presentation to the council's Economic Prosperity Scrutiny Committee on Tuesday (September 10), councillors were updated on the council's 'eyes in the sky'. It was confirmed that the council had acquired a third drone capable of operating in wet weather, boasting improved image quality and extended battery life compared to the existing drones.
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Councillors were informed that there had been 25 'drone deployments' across the city, primarily used for environmental crimes such as monitoring fly-tipping "hotspots" and anti-social behaviour.
Councillors have been informed that the council currently has two trained drone pilots, with another two undergoing training. The aim is to have four qualified drone pilots by year's end.
The additional responsibility of drone piloting is taken on by existing council staff, such as environmental enforcement officers.
Due to the current number of trained pilots and regulations surrounding drone usage, including risk assessments and 'flight plans', it was confirmed that drones are only used approximately once a week at present.
Councillor Susan Watson expressed her disappointment at the level of drone use, but council officers said they hoped that with more drone pilots, the council could utilise them more frequently.
Council officers revealed that Sunderland City Council was the first local authority in the region to employ drones to combat environmental crime and anti-social behaviour. They added that other councils had visited to observe how the technology is utilised on Wearside.
Councillor Mark Burrell, chair of the Economic Prosperity Scrutiny Committee, questioned the council officers present about the training arrangements for drone pilots.
He pointed out that there was no "uplift" or "allowance" for the extra responsibility and voiced concerns about staff being "poached" by other local authorities.
Sunderland City Council has been questioned over its policy of paying for drone pilot training without requiring any repayment if the pilots leave the council. Councillor Burrell pointed out that most companies have measures in place to either retain staff post-training or recoup some of the training costs when employees depart.
He suggested that Sunderland's drone pilots should receive a pay rise to prevent them from being lured away by other local authorities. "They're going to be eligibly poached if some people are paying more, we will have been training them up and then other local authorities may well be poaching our operatives which is a concern," he said.
Michelle Coates, the council's neighbourhood enforcement manager, acknowledged that the issue had been discussed with human resources but there was "nothing we could hold [the drone pilots] to". She promised to raise the matter again.
Gavin Bell, environmental enforcement manager at the council, noted that one drone pilot from another local authority had enquired about job opportunities in Sunderland. "The drone pilots we do have are really enthusiastic and the level of training that is required is hard going," he added.
Sunderland City Council's website outlines that qualified drone pilots must pass both theory and practical flight exams, with operators bearing "overall responsibility for making sure every flight takes place safely and within the law".
Additionally, the council's qualified drone team is required to securely store images and video recordings, ensuring they are captured only "when required" and "securely destroying" any irrelevant material in accordance with data protection regulations.
In a statement regarding the deployment of two drones in 2022, Sunderland City Council revealed the cost to be £11,700, including licences and officer training fees amounting to £2,700.
The council has also assured that drone usage will adhere to Civil Aviation Authority guidelines and comply with the Data Protection Act to safeguard residents' privacy.
Councillor Claire Rowntree, who was the deputy council leader and cabinet member for clean green city in August 2022, commented that drones had been utilised in planning and surveying tasks but could also play a role in "detect and deter fly-tippers".
She further noted that "Investigation and monitoring work that could have taken a lot longer on foot can now be done by air survey," highlighting the efficiency of drones as a modern technology serving the community in efforts to enhance the city and its environment.
"The drones are not about watching or the surveillance of residents, it's about helping residents and part of our drive for a more dynamic, cleaner and greener city."
More details on Sunderland City Council's drone deployment can be sought on their official site at www.sunderland.gov.uk/drones.