Boost for councils ‘war on dog muck’ as external enforcement agency begins 12 month trial

External environmental enforcers are about to get to grips with Flintshire’s dog poo and litter issues in a twelve-month pilot scheme.

Officers from Kingdom Environmental Services will work alongside the councils existing and thinly stretched enforcement team in delivering a zero tolerance approach to environmental crime.

The new officers will have the power to hand out fixed penalty notices to members of the public caught allowing their dogs to ‘dump’ in public spaces and no clearing it up or dropping litter.

The new arrangement will increase the number of enforcement officers active on the streets and open spaces at any time of the week.

The move follows a decision in May by Flintshire County Council’s Cabinet, to employ an external partner in an effort to crack crimes such as dog fouling and littering which continue to be a major problem blighting the County’s parks, open spaces and streets.

Flintshire County Council’s Deputy Leader Cllr Bernie Attridge, said:
“We introduced a zero tolerance enforcement approach as part of our Business Planning process in 2015-16 and have undertaken an extensive public engagement and awareness raising exercise, visiting businesses, particularly in town centres, and Town and Community Councils to notify them of the new more rigorous enforcement arrangements.

Despite all of our efforts, the problem of littering and dog fouling remains a major issue. Kingdom Environmental Protection Services are starting to work with us this week. They have a proven track record in the enforcement of environmental crime.”

Following the initial 12 month pilot arrangement, a full evaluation of the success of the arrangement will be undertaken, before a longer term contract and commitment can be organised.

Flintshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Waste and Public Protection, Councillor Kevin Jones, said:

“Many local authorities have partnered with private companies to supplement their enforcement activities. The service will be at zero cost to the Council and will provide a return of 15% on all fixed penalty notices issued.”

Kingdom Environmental Services already have contracts with neighbouring Wrexham Borough Council.