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Environmental Enforcement report

Published: 11/04/2019

The Council’s Cabinet will be asked to approve the protocol for low level environmental crime offences and the issue of Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) for littering and dog control offences when it meets later this month.

Cabinet members will also be asked to approve offering Town and Community Councils the opportunity to support additional enforcement officers in their own areas.

Following the recent review of the Council’s Environmental Enforcement Service, the Council’s own enforcement officers have resumed responsibility for the enforcement of all low level environmental crimes, such as littering and dog control. 

Flintshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Streetscene and Countryside, Councillor Carolyn Thomas, said:

“We will rely on the professional judgement of our experienced Enforcement Officers to exercise a balance between education and enforcement, with the approach being that the Council will carry out the appropriate enforcement action against those who intentionally litter.

“Dog control patrols continue to take place in public areas, including areas subject to a Public Open Space Order (PSPO), and this includes our Officers carrying out plain clothes patrols. However officers are talking to all dog walkers they encounter on their patrols, providing education in relation to exclusion areas and means of disposing of dog waste appropriately.  A recent report from the Health Board, which shows that humans can be contract an infection known as toxicariasis simply by handling soil or sand contaminated with infected animal faeces, only goes to underline the need for people to clear up after their pets.”

Currently there are seven enforcement officers for environmental crimes such as littering, dog fouling, abandoned vehicles and fly tipping as well as civil parking enforcement. Discussions are taking place with a neighbouring authority to potentially share some back office functions. If this does happen, savings could be made and funds released to increase the number of enforcement officers.

In addition, Cabinet are asked to approve a recommendation to approach Town and Community Councils to see if they would help to support additional enforcement officers in their own areas.