Agenda item

The Principal Environmental Health Officer presented the report which provided an overview of the legislation relating to dog fouling and littering, an update on how the team managed complaints and presented options for future work in these areas.

The Chairman thanked the Principal Environmental Health Officer for his report and invited questions and comments from the Panel, as summarised below.

The Vice Chairman, Councillor Bambridge explained that she had worked with a Primary School on a PUP (Pick up Please) campaign and had carried out letter box drops and put up posters.  Councillor Bambridge referred to other Local Authorities that had introduced Public Space Protection Orders (PSPO’s) so that if dog owners did not carry a bag with them they could receive a fine.  She asked if this was something that could be considered in the Borough.  The Principal Environmental Health Officer explained that there was a PSPO in place in relation to dog fouling and restrictions on where dogs could go, for instance play areas and certain beaches.  The Principal Environmental Health Officer explained that the current PSPO was up for renewal at the end of the year and lots of options could be considered during its review.

In response to a question from Councillor Bubb it was explained that the majority of dog bins were in Parishes and the Clean Up team would be able to provide figures on how many bins were in the Borough.  Councillor Bubb explained that in Dersingham some of the dog bins were sponsored which helped to cover the cost and he suggested that this could be introduced in other areas.  The Principal Environmental Health Officer informed the Panel that dog waste could go in any bin.  Dog bins were more prominent in rural areas and popular dog walking areas.

Councillor Whitby highlighted problems within his Ward and explained that the Parish Council had been looking at options to try and reduce the amount of dog fouling.  The Principal Environmental Health Officer explained that Parish Councils were welcome to contact the team for advice and guidance.  He explained that Parish Councils would also be consulted during the review of the PSPO.

The Panel discussed fly tipping and it was explained that signage was used, but sometimes was not enough of a deterrent.  The Principal Environmental Health Officer explained that if people were caught fly tipping they would be prosecuted.  He explained that the Council could carry out investigations on private land, but it would be the land owner’s responsibility to clear the land. 

Councillor Mrs Collop raised concern that sometimes people could accidently drop litter without realising and provided an example of where someone had been fined for accidently dropping a receipt from their wallet.  The Principal Environmental Health Officer explained that enforcement officers should use common sense in cases like this and give the person the opportunity to pick up the litter if it was a genuine accident.

The Portfolio Holder for Environment, Councillor Devereux explained that the Borough Council had options when it came to problems with littering and dog fouling.  They could educate, publicise and then take enforcement action where necessary.  He explained that enforcement and prosecution was usually only an option when there was evidence to support it.  He encouraged Members to support option two as set out in the report which was to bring back a report to the Panel outlining the scale of the problem of littering and dog fouling across the Borough and the resources required to deliver an enforcement strategy to address the problem effectively.

Councillor Mrs Westrop explained that she supported option two as she felt that dog fouling was a big problem.  She explained that there was a lack of knowledge and personal responsibility and by taking forward option two, the scale of the problem would be identified.  She also commented that the cost of licensing dog waste bins was sometimes an issue for Parish Councils.

In response to a question from Councillor Mrs Fraser, it was confirmed that any proposals for a new post would cover the whole Borough, not just King’s Lynn.  Councillor Mrs Fraser commented that a campaign had taken place in Grimston, where dog fouling had been sprayed with yellow paint, however this was a short term solution. 

In response to Councillor J Collop, the Principal Environmental Health Officer explained that in the team there was three full time and three part time Community Safety and Neighbourhood Nuisance Officers, one Antisocial Behaviour Officer, and one full time and two part time Neighbourhood Officers.  He commented that the team was very busy.  In response to a question from Councillor J Collop, the Principal Environmental Health Officer agreed to confirm if any of their functions were charged to King’s Lynn Special Expenses.

Councillor J Collop acknowledged that litter and dog fouling was a very important issue, but he referred to the challenging budget and how the Council was required to make savings.  He explained that any extra posts would need to be justified and balanced. 

The Principal Environmental Health Officer clarified that the Street Scene Team were involved in street cleaning and went out early in the morning, especially at the weekends.  He explained that the Community Safety and Neighbourhood Nuisance Team were an enforcement team.

Councillor J Collop thanked all of the officers which were involved in the clean-up of North Lynn and the alleyways and explained that it was an ongoing project with the community.

Councillor Crofts explained that he also had concerns about the additional budget which would be required.  He commented that he would like to see more dog fouling prosecutions.  The Principal Environmental Health Officer agreed that it would be good to see more prosecutions come forward, but it was difficult to deal with as it had to be witnessed and there had to be sufficient evidence, which meant that officers would have to spend time in certain locations. 

Councillor Smith commented that he received calls from residents to report problems, including hanging dog waste bags on branches.  He explained that often bins got full, so bags would be just dropped next to the bin.  He suggested that the Council investigate which bins were often very full and look at supplementing them.

In response to a further question from Councillor Smith, it was confirmed that if additional fines were issued it could contribute towards the cost of the new post.

Councillor Mrs Wright commented that she felt that the potential extra post was taking the focus in the wrong place.  She referred to the success that the Portfolio Holder had had in increasing the rate of recycling through education and campaigning and she suggested a similar approach for littering and dog fouling. 

The Portfolio Holder for Housing and Community, Councillor Lawrence explained that fast food wrappers on the highway, which had been thrown out of vehicles was also an issue.  He suggested that car registration numbers could be put on the wrappers so that culprits could be identified.  The Principal Environmental Health Officer explained that he would have a look at campaigns which had been run in other places to tackle fast food wrappers.

Councillor Parish, addressed the Panel under Standing Order 34 and commented that he was aware of previous legislation that meant that establishments were responsible for picking up litter within a radius of their premises.  The Principal Environmental Health Officer explained that this was in effect previously but had been overridden by the potential for each area to bring into force a PSPO.  The Council could introduce a PSPO for local businesses to clean up certain areas in their vicinity.

The Chairman, Councillor Sampson suggested that the use of volunteers could be investigated.  He also made reference to nominating street residents to lead on issues in urban areas.  The Chairman indicated that he supported option two.

The Vice Chairman explained that sometimes in areas where waste was collected in black bags, sometimes the bags would split or be ripped open and litter would be left on the street after the collection.  She also referred to the amount of litter in the Walks and how frequently it required clearing.

RESOLVED: That officers bring a fully costed report back to the Panel outlining:

1.     The scale of the problem of littering and dog fouling across the borough.

2.     The resources required to deliver a robust littering and dog fouling enforcement strategy to address the problem effectively.