Agenda item

Consideration was given to report of the Corporate Director Regeneration & Community Services / Services Manager Neighbourhood Services.

The Service Manager Neighbourhood Services presented the report which provided an overview on the issue of straying animals 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 an Action Plan to resolve incidents. The report was a multi-departmental report and the Action Plan clearly sets out those responsible for each action.

A Member expressed concern that the survey of land and work to identify responsibility of fencing had still not been completed.  He said gates being left open and damaged fencing was not the fault of the farmers, but ultimately they were responsible for checking their animals and rounding them up when they stray.

The Officer said part of the Action Plan was to develop a fully up-to-date list of farmers to be contacted when issues of straying animals are reported.  He pointed out that the majority of farmers responded very quickly, but there were a small number that took longer, particularly those undertaking additional jobs.  Work moving forward was about building relationships with farmers to see what we can do to support them, and also working with the Police to ensure that animals are moved on quickly.

A Member referred to section 2.5 and asked when the Council last inspected its fence lines.  Whilst she welcomed the Action Plan she said it was very similar to the work undertaken previously by the Straying Animals Forum.  She also expressed concern regarding the time taken for the Council to respond to issues of damaged fencing.

In response the Estates Manager said the Council was a significant landowner and did not have the resources available to undertake regular inspections of its boundaries.  It was undertaken on a reactive basis when reports of damaged fencing was received.

In relation to the response times the Officer said there was a number of factors slowing up the process.  There was currently only one Terrier Deeds Officer available to identify land ownership.  Officers also found it difficult to identifying the exact location of damaged fencing, and she suggested that it may be beneficial moving forward for Members to meet Officers on site to pinpoint where repairs were needed.  Also the Council currently only had one fencing contractor, as there seemed to be a lack of appetite for this type of work, and there were also delays with the supply of materials.

She said part of Action Plan was to identify ‘hot spot’ areas on a plan, and identify responsibility for maintaining those areas.  A procurement exercise for additional fencing contractors was also intended.

A Member referred to the legislation requiring private landowners to maintain fence lines adjacent to common land, and asked who was responsible for enforcing that legislation. 

The Estates Manager confirmed that identifying responsibility for fence lines on common land would be prioritised within the Action Plan.  However, she explained that some landowners may not be registered, and also the deeds may not indicate responsibility for boundaries, and she was unaware whether any action could be taken in this instance.

A brief discussion ensued when a Member expressed concern that there had not been a meeting with the farmers for 2 years.  He said the last meeting was productive and it was agreed to meet with farmers in specific areas, and he expressed concern that this had not been progressed.

The Team Manager Street Scene said it was intended to hold local meetings to discuss ‘hot spot’ areas, however, the Covid pandemic meant that those meetings were put on hold.  However, he confirmed that the Executive Member was keen to progress those meetings and they would form part of the Action Plan moving forward.

A Member said money should be identified to address the issue of straying animals.  He also suggested that the Council seek agreement with local farmers to impound sheep on the Council’s behalf.

In response the Service Manager Neighbourhood Services said this had been considered previously with Powys CC, however, some farmers were reluctant due to the specific time needed to hold an animal.

A Member referred to the Local Authority comparison on page 53 of the report and pointed out that all LA’s in the region were experiencing the same problems, and said a collaborative approach across the South East Wales Region be should be considered.

A further discussion ensued when a Member said the Council should consider reinstating the impounding service.

The Officer said the Council decided to cease the impounding service in 2014/15.  Should the Council decide to reinstate the service a new facility would need to be sourced.

A Member said many Members felt that reinstatement of the impounding service was needed, and it would be beneficial to compare the current ongoing costs against those needed to bring the service back in-house.  She said the Council had a significant amount of land in its ownership that could be used for that purpose.

The Officer said the report was not suggesting reinstatement of the impounding service, it was highlighting what it would cost.  He understood the point being made by the Member, but stressed that a lot of work would be needed in terms of the practicalities and legislation to reinstate that service.  However, he confirmed that costs could form part of the Action Plan.

In response to a question raised by a Member regarding the Gwent Wide Operations in relation to off-road motorcycles, the Team Manager Street Scene confirmed that the Police would be undertaking operations in the coming weeks, and meetings of the Working Group would be held every 3 months.  He also confirmed that discussions were also ongoing regarding potential funding via the Active Travel initiative for the provision of stock-proof gates on active travel routes.

The Committee AGREED to recommend that the report be accepted and made recommendations for changes to the

approach / Action Plan set out in the report. (Option 2)