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£75 fines for dog fouling and littering to be enforced

Ashley Cartman • 25 May 2021

Private company to issue fines to tackle anti-social behaviour

Starting next week, North Somerset Council will be taking tougher action together against antisocial littering and dog fouling.

Last years 'Your Neighbourhood' consultation showed that 90 per cent of respondents agreed that it was reasonable to issue on the spot fines to deal with dog fouling and 77 per cent agreed it was reasonable to deal with littering. Although most people (65%) thought their area was clean or 'ok' there is a clear desire for more action. 

From next week four new enforcement wardens (there were none before) will patrol the district issuing fines to those who drop litter or don't pick up after their dogs. They will only be able to issue fines where there is a public space protection order in force. In Long Ashton that is exclusively by the community centre, there is also one in force at Abbot's Pool. They will start in Weston but will be consulting with Parish Councils over the coming weeks to see if there are areas they would like patrolled. 

The enforcement wardens will be provided by a private company with the proceeds of fines expected to cover the cost of the service. We looked at a number of options and this seemed the most sensible given the demands on council finances.


The Council has entered into an initial 12 month contact during which it will be keeping a close eye on what is going on.

 

I appreciate some people may be worried by a private company being able to issue fines, however I have been reassured that it has been implemented successfully in other parts of the country. 

Of course many people will rightly say that this doesn't cover many parts of our local area. This is true and I agree that there are other areas that may need attention. Nonetheless, I hope this will make a difference and start to tackle anti-social behaviour across the district. 


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