Agenda item

The Principal Environmental Health Officer presented the report which outlined the scale of the problem of littering and dog fouling across the Borough and the resources required to deliver a robust littering and dog fouling enforcement strategy to address problems.

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

Councillor de Whalley referred to Parish Council dog bins and commented that the clearance costs were considered too expensive to some Parishes.  The Principal Environmental Health Officer explained that officers did work with Parish Council’s to facilitate community approaches to deal with issues and enforcement was often only a last resort.

In response to a question from Councillor Squire regarding working with schools, the Principal Environmental Health Officer explained that once the Enforcement Officer was in post they would be targeting heavily littered areas and engage and approach organisations to deal with problems.  They could work in schools if it was appropriate and the role would be intelligence led.

Councillor Moriarty commented that often dog fouling was caused by people coming into the area to walk their dogs, not necessarily local people.  He explained that often offences would occur outside of normal office hours and he asked if the officers working hours would be flexible.  The Principal Environmental Health Officer explained that they would and that work could be carried out with Parish Councils to identify problem areas and times that problems usually occurred.

Councillor Bubb explained that within his Ward dog bins were sponsored, which helped Parish Council’s meet the cost of clearance and he suggested that this could be considered in other areas if costs were thought to be prohibitive.

Councillor Lowe asked if action would be taken to increase how many incidents were reported.  The Principal Environmental Health Officer explained the officers’ role would be to collate intelligence and people would be encouraged to report incidents through campaigns and social media.

Councillor Bambridge explained that she got lots of reports about dog fouling from her residents and encouraged them to contact the clean-up team.  She also made reference to a project she had run with Whitefriars School to produce posters to encourage owners to pick up after their dog.

Councillor Mrs Collop referred to a recent discussion at the King’s Lynn Area Advisory Committee regarding funding which was available for dog bins.  She explained that she had asked for some within her Ward but had not yet received them.  The Executive Director agreed to follow this up.   The Executive Director informed the Panel that towards the end of the previous financial year Government had awarded funding for community clean up initiatives, but the timescale for which the money had to be spent was tight.  The Council had used some of this money to purchase a small stock of dog bins and if Members were aware of any specific areas where a dog bin was required they should contact him.

The Portfolio Holder for Environment, Councillor Devereux informed the Panel that a press release would be going out regarding the funding and the community clean up initiatives.  The Panel were also notified that there was a small amount of litter picking packs available for community use.

The Portfolio Holder for Environment explained that the Norfolk Coastal Partnership and North Norfolk Marine Partnership were also looking to produce some guidance within publications about keeping the area tidy.

In response to a question from Councillor Joyce, the Principal Environmental Health Officer explained that officers within the team worked with the Grounds Maintenance and Clean Up team.  He also explained that enforcement powers covered all open air land; however for private land the landowner’s permission would be required before enforcement action could be taken.

Councillor Parish addressed the Panel under Standing Order 34 and referred to the path between Heacham and Hunstanton and explained that there were no dog bins along the route.  The Principal Environmental Health Officer explained that they would look at problem areas.

Councillor de Whalley explained that the cost of emptying the bins could prohibit Parish Councils from installing them.  The bins cost approximately £1.60 to empty and could be emptied as frequently as required.

RESOLVED: The Environment and Community Panel supported the proposals to redraft the job description for the vacant Neighbourhood Officer post to create an enforcement focussed role.