Agenda item

The Panel has requested an update following on from a previous report in January 2013 regarding actions being taken to mitigate the impacts of urban gulls in Bath and North East Somerset.

The Neighbourhood Environment Manager and Environmental Protection Manager gave a presentation to the Panel regarding this item. A copy of the presentation can be found on the Panel’s Minute Book, a summary is set out below.

The Neighbourhood Environment Manager explained that the department had recently undertaken a publicity campaign relating to gulls, had reviewed their web pages and produced a leaflet regarding urban gulls. As a result of this she was pleased to announce that the web pages had seen a substantial increase in hits.

Egg replacement service

8 buildings in City Centre used the service

21 nests were found

42 eggs were replaced

The Neighbourhood Environment Manager spoke of how they working on ways to encourage more businesses to take up the service.

Bird free gel

The gel is being trialled by a number of Councils with the aim of deterring the gulls from using buildings to nest on. The gel deceives the gulls into thinking the building is too hot to land upon or on fire and therefore they do not settle upon it. It has been used on the roof of the Roman Baths Kitchen and the feedback so far has been fairly positive.

Commercial Waste enforcement

The Environmental Protection Manager reported the following figures:

157 warning letters

48 waste receptacles warning letters

15 Fixed Penalty Notices

3 ‘straight to’ prosecutions

He stressed how important it was for waste to be contained properly and to be put out for collection at the appropriate time.

Domestic Waste enforcement

The Environmental Protection Manager explained how the department were targeting ‘hot spots’ and had issued approximately 60 letters to residents.

Feeding gulls

The Environmental Protection Manager spoke of the need to challenge members of the public who are blatantly feeding gulls and to consider littering offences if it was in the public interest.

Gull proof sacks

The Neighbourhood Environment Manager informed the Panel that the sacks had been currently issued to 2000 households and that 400 more bags, over 20 streets were to be issued in September 2013.

Solar compacting bins

The Neighbourhood Environment Manager stated that 55 of the bins had now installed and that they were much better at containing waste. She added that B&NES is the best performing Council in terms of efficiency with around 89% of bins being emptied when they reach the ‘amber’ level.

Kirsten Elliott addressed the Panel. A copy of her statement can be found on the Panel’s Minute Book, a summary is set out below.

She wished to propose the idea of a Gull Conference. She outlined the possible schedule for a one day conference / public meeting to seek a solution to the gull problem.

She asked the Council to provide a room, a small fund to pay speakers (if necessary), and refreshments. She stated that she was happy to organise the event at no charge as she was a concerned resident who wants to do the best for the City in which she lives.

She added that she was not politically motivated, and hoped that political parties would work together to seek a solution to the issue.

She also hoped that local people would feel free to input ideas.

Councillor Marie Longstaff, Chairman of the Panel commented that she thought the conference would be a good idea.

The Divisional Director for Environmental Services commented that he had discussed the matter with Councillor David Dixon, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods who welcomed the idea.

He added that further work was required to prevent gulls from scavenging as it is such a huge effort to clean up after them and was prepared to listen to ideas.

Councillor Geoff Ward, Shadow Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods addressed the Panel. He wished to thank the officers concerned for all their help recently.

He said that he was troubled with the amount of mess left by gulls that have destroyed rubbish bags early in the morning. He added that he was also very worried by the amount of bird excrement he had seen, the reported attacks on members of the public, the noise the gulls make and their ability to pick up food left on tables outside of eating establishments.

He stated that the denial of food was the main weapon the Council should have at its disposal.

He summed up with what he considered to be the three main focus areas:

1.  Preventative measures to deny access to food.

2.  The information campaign should be sustained.

3.  Zero tolerance on rubbish that is left out and disturbed.

He wished to ask the Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods formally if he was prepared to support a conference on gulls taking place.

The Chairman asked for that question to be passed onto Councillor Dixon.

Councillor Patrick Anketell-Jones addressed the Panel. He said that there was a need to reduce their numbers and that the ruling on their protected status should be challenged. He added that he would welcome a conference to highlight this matter.

The Neighbourhood Environment Manager commented that the numbers of gulls in coastal areas were in decline, but the numbers of urban gulls were rising. She added that it was difficult to know how to challenge this ruling, she wondered whether the local MP should become involved.

Councillor Lisa Brett, Vice-Chair of the Panel said that she supported the idea of a conference.

Councillor Les Kew commented that it was their ability to access food that needed to be tackled first and foremost and welcomed any powers the Council had to prosecute repeat offenders.

Councillor Liz Richardson asked if sponsorship had been considered for the new solar compacting bins.

The Neighbourhood Environment Manager replied that had been considered.

The Divisional Director for Environmental Services added he believed an application was due before a future meeting of the Development Control Committee in that respect.

Councillor David Martin stated that the containment of waste was key and asked how enforcement powers could be used.

The Environmental Protection Manager replied that they were very strict on the containment of commercial waste and were approaching a similar situation with regard to residential waste.

The Chairman thanked everyone for contributing to the debate and said she would update the Panel on the proposed conference when possible.