Agenda item

Consideration was given to report of the Team Manager Environmental Protection.

The Team Manager Environmental Protection presented the report which provided an overview on the issue of fly grazing horses within the County Borough. The report outlined the scale of the issue, including identifying geographical locations where the problem was often reported, and set out the legislative and policy framework used to resolve incidents.

The Officer went through the report and highlighted points contained therein.

A Member reported that the green area in West Side, Blaina was subject to numerous reports of fly grazing, but had been omitted from the report.  She also said the figures seemed quite low and questioned how they were recorded, as complaints were reported through various routes, i.e. environmental health, animal welfare and also estates.  

The Member also referred to the legislation and said there was concern that the Council would be responsible for any welfare issues of horses fly grazing on Council owned land.  She then referred to section 2.6 of the report and asked what costs the Council had incurred for the joint operation.  In terms of the proposals outlined within the report, she felt that the investment in taking action would hopefully prevent repeat offenders.

In response the Officer undertook to liaise with the Member regarding the green area in West Side, Blaina.  However, in relation to the legislation and concerns regarding responsibility for landowners, the Officer confirmed that the horse owner would be ultimately responsible for their welfare.  He said if the report was approved it would enable Officers to progress with instant removal of horses from land, in the case of long term persistent offenders; and assured the welfare of horses in this action. 

The Officer then referred to the costs for the joint operation undertaken in 2013/14, and confirmed that this was approximately £3k and fully funded by Welsh Government.  He said the joint operation was achieved through the co-operation and support of horse charities and animal welfare rights groups, and was very successful.  No significant issues had arisen since that date.

In relation to the Member’s comments regarding the figures, the Officer confirmed that all complaints of fly grazing on Council owned land was logged with the Estates Section. 

The Team Manager Estates & Strategic Asset Management said the data was compiled from records within the Department and knowledge of Officers dealing with complaints of illicit grazing.  More accurate records were now being kept, and there seemed to be a number of instances of illicit grazing per year and repeat offenders.

A discussion ensued when a Member suggested that discussions also take place with Tai Calon regarding the possibility of a partnership approach to the problem of straying animals.

Another Member said straying animals had been a problem for many years, and said a review of the Council’s contract with Powys CC was needed.

A Member proposed the following addendum to Option 1 of the report:

‘And recommend that the Council look to work with partners, and be granted permission to pursue enforcement with regard to the Control of Horses Act in prolific areas in line with the Wellbeing Plan Objective 2’.

The proposal was seconded.

The Committee AGREED to recommend that the report be accepted and:-

     i.        Members support the existing process for the removal of horses set out in the report with the use of contractors and the costs associated with this (Option 1); and

    ii.        Recommend that the Council look to work with partners, and be granted permission pursue enforcement with regard to the Control of Horses Act in prolific areas in line with the Wellbeing Plan Objective 2.