A report by the Director of Law, HR and Asset Management provided an update for Members in respect of work in respect of Dog Fouling managed by Wirral Community Patrol Service.

Councillor I Lewis thanked the officers of the Dog Fouling Enforcement Team managed by Wirral Community Patrol Service for the work they had undertaken when responding to the request from the Area Forum.

£40,000 had been allocated to bring about further improvements, building on the success of the successful “Give a Dog a Bad Name” dog fouling campaign.  The Cabinet was informed of how this money was being spent, initiatives the Team were taking and other associated activity, including awareness raising, to clamp down on those who allowed their dog to foul in public places and to educate them to pick up after their dogs.

RESOLVED:  That

(1)  Cabinet thanks the Sustainable Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee for its work on this matter and notes the good work of the Dog Fouling Enforcement Team; and

(2)  Cabinet agrees to further consider this matter as part of the budget setting process and instructs officers to consider options for this service, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Environment.

The Director of Law, HR and Asset Management, presented a report providing an update on the work of the Dog Fouling Enforcement Team managed by Wirral Community Patrol Service.

Following the successful “Give a Dog a Bad Name “dog fouling campaign, the budget resolution for 2010/2011 provided a further £40,000, “to be used to build on the current successful scheme with funding being used in conjunction with Jobs For The Future funding in order to employ trainees who would be trained in patrolling and enforcement and add to the strength of the team giving greater coverage over longer periods of time.” The Director reported that six Dog Fouling Enforcement Officers were being employed in each of two phases, extending the life of the programme from July 2010 to September 2011. They had had received training in:

Dog fouling enforcement

Litter enforcement

Managing conflict and aggression

Customer care

Basic health and safety

Whilst their primary purpose was prevention and enforcement of dog fouling, the team also reported other issues in relation to the streetscene.  Between the end of June 2010 and the end of September 2010 they had identified whilst on patrol 5934 incidents requiring action e.g. safety issues, exposed wires on lampposts, uneven pavements, fly tipping, graffiti, criminal damage.  Instances of graffiti, littering and fly tipping were also referred to Technical Services Department for action. 

The team monitored the weekly incidence of illegal dog fouling and in two hotspot locations they had noted significant reductions.

Seacombe Promenade  53% reduction in incidence.

Poulton Road   99% reduction in incidence.

In addition to their enforcement responsibilities, the team was also engaged in the education of dog owners through attendance at public events or providing advice to dog owners whilst they were on patrol.

On a motion by Councillor Smith seconded by Councillor McLachlan it was:-

Resolved-

(1)  That the Committee note the content of this report.

(2)  That the Cabinet be asked to provide the necessary funding to ensure the continuation of the Dog Fouling Enforcement Team and that this request be considered in the light of other demands on council services.