Fly-Tipping and Dog Fouling Fines To Be Enforced.
Following a workshop in Newry between Newry Mourne and Down District Council management and Councillors last month, Council Officers have now taken a line from local environmentalists and they will be hiring additional staff to deal robustly with the scourge of dog-fouling, littering and fly-tipping in areas across Newry Mourne and Down Council.
The workshop followed research published by Independent Councillor Cadogan Enright. Cllr Enright said: “This demonstrated that Ards and North Down Borough Council fined three times more people in a month than Newry Mourne and Down fined in a year.
Councillor Enright was supported by DUP’s Billy Walker in bringing a hard-hitting motion to Council condemning Council Management performance in this area and demanding that they learn from nearby Councils.
“Management had been telling us that the legislation was not ‘fit for purpose’ making it near impossible to fine anyone for dog-fouling, littering or fly-tipping. This has subsequently been addressed.”
Councillor Billy Walker added: “The resulting workshop was a wake-up call for management and Councillors about what other Councils were doing. I was able to provide examples from Castlereagh Council and we agreed that management should bring us a report back on hidden cameras for notorious fly-tipping spots or on-uniform personal cameras for enforcement staff in dealing with littering.
“Resolving the dog-fouling, littering and fly-tipping scandal is a key area of ongoing interest for myself and Councillor Enright, and if we are returned in the new Council, we will ensure that all actions promised by Management are implemented in full.
Counclllor Enright agreed and further commented: “There were a long list of actions arising from the learnings from nearby Councils including County Louth. In an email last week to local environmental group Lecale Conservation members Bill Corry, a former Green Party Councillor and Philip Nye, Lecale Conservation chairman, Council have now confirmed that they are now recruiting three additional enforcement staff”.
A Council spokesperson said: “Following a workshop with Council staff and Councillors regarding a new Strategy to address the issue of dog-fouling, fly tipping and littering throughout the district, Newry Mourne and Down District Council will launch a campaign to promote responsible dog-ownership and encourage owners to carry bags into which dog-mess may be collected for disposal.
“Enforcement staff are in operation throughout the district and the Council is currently in the process of appointing three additional Enforcement staff, who are due to take up their appointments in May 2019.
“Dog owners, who do not clean up after their pets and who are approached by a member of the Council’s Enforcement staff, will be issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice.
“Other key elements of the Strategy include dog licencing and working with owners to ensure dogs are micro-chipped. The Council will also review the benefits of increased Dog Control Notices in various locations across the district.”
