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Question from: County Councillor Gareth Ratcliffe Subject: Dog fouling
Question:
Dog fouling has been an ever increasing issue for residents in Powys. The council has had a number of proposals brought forward to try and support communities in tackling this issue, but nothing has seemed to be done. Please see below a proposal I put forward to council to review powers of council civil enforcement officers to help combated dog fouling. I'm sure the Portfolio Holder can agree the council needs to be proactive in supporting this blight on our streets as sadly it’s just a small majority who are ruining it for people and giving dog owners a bad name.
Will the portfolio holder bring forward a plan to support the call to combat dog fouling in the county?
The following motion was put to full council in March 2010 by Cllr G.W. Ratcliffe and Cllr S. Millington "That the Council takes a pro-active approach to support the dog warden under The Dog (Fouling Of Land) Act 1996 in combating dog fouling in Powys. The wish of this motion is to take a strict, no exceptions approach to dog fouling and to increase the education of people and number of patrols to combat dog fouling. Any member of the public that allows a dog(s) in their control to foul the land and fails to clean up after them should be prosecuted. Secondly that when a prosecution is due in court the press are notified of the upcoming prosecution, this will show the public we mean what we say and that we are not prepared to accept this antisocial manner of behaviour any longer. Also we ask that consideration is given to allowing powers to be extended to parking/street attendants to issue tickets relating to dog fouling when Powys County Council takes control of street parking." The outcome of the debate was: "The Portfolio Holder for Housing and Public Protection advised that there were five dog wardens in the county so that resources were stretched and he therefore welcomed the suggestion that a wider range of officers be empowered to take enforcement action. This was something that was being looked at under the LEI initiative. An amendment was proposed and seconded that the Portfolio Holder prepared detailed report including costing for consideration by the Board. RESOLVED that the Portfolio Holder prepare a detailed report including costings for consideration by the Board."
Also in February 2013 Cllr M.J. Dorrance along with Cllr D.W. Meredith put the following question: "I am sure that you will agree that it is high time that every effort was made by the Authority to rectify the ever increasing problem of dog fouling on our footpaths, pavements and play areas. Is it, therefore, not time for this Authority to work with the Dyfed Powys Police Authority, like our neighbouring county Carmarthen, in sanctioning that PCSO's in Powys can become Enforcement Officers and issue ... view the full agenda text for item 1. Minutes: Response by the Portfolio Holder:
Although Powys County Council no longer employs dog wardens, arrangements are in place for the reporting of incidences of dog fouling.
Complaints of dog fouling are initially referred to the Highways Department who will arrange for the area to be cleaned and erect No Fouling signs and bins as appropriate. However, if there is a witness to the incident or the name and address of the offender is known then the matter is referred to the Environmental Protection team who will investigate the matter and if there is sufficient evidence, will issue a Fixed Penalty Notice.
Members of the public can register a complaint regarding dog fouling via the following link on the Council’s website https://en.powys.gov.uk/article/4511/Report-dog-fouling
With respect to the proposal to review the powers of Civil Enforcement Officers [Parking] to assist with the enforcement of dog fouling, the Highways Department have advised that adding duties to their current role would diminish their ability to effectively manage traffic within our towns and villages.
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