Agenda item

The Committee considered the Environmental Enforcement Update which provided the Committee with an update of enforcement matters including Public Space Protection Orders, Community Protection Notices, tackling fly-tipping and other enforcement issues.

The Committee noted that the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 had introduced several new tools and powers for use by local authorities and partners to address anti-social behaviour (ASB) in their local areas.  This included the Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) which was implemented on the 1^st September 2015 and gave Councils the authority to draft and implement PSPOs in response to the particular issues affecting their communities, provided certain criteria were met. This included the power to issue fixed penalty tickets to persons who let their dogs foul anywhere in Carmarthenshire where the public had access.  Also included were other powers such as requesting persons to put their dog on a lead and the banning of dogs from enclosed children’s play areas.

The following issues were raised in relation to the report:

In response to a query regarding consistent fly-tipping in some rural areas, the Environmental Enforcement Manager stated that it was a challenge to get witnesses that were prepared to attend court, however, if CCTV was available, the evidence would be less challenging to obtain.

It was asked whether Enforcement Officers were able to approach dog walkers to enquire if they were carrying a dog waste bag. The Environmental Enforcement Manager highlighted that whilst in some local authority areas it was an offence not to carry a dog waste bag when walking a dog, there were legal challenges surrounding this matter and that Carmarthenshire would not be adopting this approach at this time. 

In response to a query, the Environmental Enforcement Manager explained that currently eight Enforcement Officers were trained to tackle fly-tipping and other environmental crime. This work was backed up by officer intelligence and information received from Councillors and the public.

Whilst it was acknowledged that incidents of fly-tipping had decreased significantly in some rural areas, concerns were expressed in relation to the new working arrangements as it was felt that the previous arrangements had been working effectively. It was stated that should the review reveal that the new arrangements were not working as effectively as planned, Members would be happy for the previous working arrangements to be re-instated. The Director of Environment stated that Councillors’ views were important and would be an instrumental part of the review.

Following a query, the Environmental Enforcement Manager explained that the new working arrangements would require two Enforcement Officers to operate strategically in each corner of the County.

It was asked as to what was being done to deter dog walkers who allowed their dogs to roam freely without a lead in school playing fields, as this currently caused problems in many areas.  The Environmental Enforcement Manager highlighted that it was important to gather intelligence and utilise mapping technology, which would assist in targeting offending areas affectively. However, there were difficulties from a legal perspective and that discussions would need to take place with the Authority’s Legal Services. 

Concern was expressed that the Committee had previously raised the problem of dogs roaming off their leads, with little or no success as a result. The Chair stated that the Committee had recommended to the Executive Board that dogs should be banned from playing fields 12 months of the year, but this had not been accepted.  Furthermore, it was suggested that in order to alleviate the problem, a sign deterring dog walkers should be displayed next to playing fields.

RESOLVED that the report be received.