A presentation will be given on measures being taken to address dog fouling issues.
Minutes:
The Committee received an oral update and presentation on dog fouling issues.
Harry Briggs, Deputy Head of Operations, Transport and Countryside service, Environmental services attended the meeting and gave a verbal update on on-going work and progress in relation to tackling dog fouling and associated issues. Mr Briggs also introduced and welcomed to the meeting Mark Benton, an industry specialist and environmental crime consultant, Benton Consultancy Services.
Mr Benton gave a detailed power point presentation to the meeting which highlighted the following:
· Background – highlighting nationally there had been an increase nationally there were now 12.5million dogs in the UK (an increase from 9 million in 2019);
· Dog fouling controls;
· Consultees;
· Dog wardens and roles;
· Where are we now?
· Recommendation 1 – do and be seen to be doing something;
· Recommendation 2 – communicate better and set the agenda;
· Recommendation 3 – SBC organisation – produce a dog fouling / control strategy, along with a delivery plan.
Following the presentation, Mr Benton invited and responded to the Committee’s questions, comments and concerns on the matters raised. He also welcomed any more ideas the Committee would like to have included or considered for inclusion in the strategy.
Comments included comparisons with other local authorities, learning from best practice in how they dealt with dog control measures. More pro-active measures and the positive use of social media to convey messages on dog control.
Another Member felt a review of the dog warden and beach superintendent uniforms to make them more recognisable in their roles and on signage was also raised as possible areas for improvements.
Another Member talked about the balance of education and enforcement methods on dog fouling issues. The adequacy and placement of dog waste bins and provision for the emptying of them was also raised and discussed. There was also a discussion with both pro and con views expressed as to whether the local authority should consider being a provider of dog bags to the public for dog waste disposal. A number of Members suggested the Council should undertake a trial providing dog bags at a number of locations to assess the effectiveness of use.
The effective use of banners; dogs on leads; the Public Services Protection Order (PSPO) and impact on health, particularly that of children, through in serious cases toxic infections arising from coming into contact with dog fouling.
Another Member felt the Council’s website could be improved to highlight those beach areas where dogs could be exercised or where they could not go.
Councillor Tony Randerson, Cabinet Member, whose portfolio covered dog fouling issues addressed Members on the subject of dog fouling and associated issues with the Committee’s permission. He had listened to the Committee’s debate on this matter and had been briefed by Harry Briggs and Mark Benton on their thoughts and suggestions on this subject a couple of weeks ago. In terms of banners, he preferred any advertising being for a dog friendly borough.
RESOLVED: that:
(1) the presentation be received; and
(2) the Deputy Head of Operations, Transport, Countryside and Services Mark Benton, Benton Consultancy Services take note of the Committee’s questions, comments and concerns, as outlined at this meeting, in the development and production of a dog fouling / control strategy along with a delivery plan.