Improvements expected to enforcement officers' performance

mproved performance by council financed enforcement officers in the Dearne Valley is expected in future following problems which saw patrol time in the area reduced over the last three months.
By The Newsroom
Published 14th May 2018, 13:15 BST
Updated 14th May 2018, 13:21 BST
Improved enforcement: Litter louts in the Dearne Valley can expect a tougher response in future.Improved enforcement: Litter louts in the Dearne Valley can expect a tougher response in future.
Improved enforcement: Litter louts in the Dearne Valley can expect a tougher response in future.

The Dearne Area Council, which is made up of local councillors with a Barnsley Council budget to spend, employs a private company called Kingdom to patrol the area to pick up on offences of littering and dog fouling.

However, councillors have been told that in the last quarter, figures for penalty notices issued were down, with none at all for those allowing dogs to foul public areas.

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That was a result of the company butting an officer in to patrol for only 412 hours, rather than the 472 hours the company is contracted to provide.

Council staff have now had a meeting with the company and have been told the shortfall in hours will be made up.

New staff have also been employed and the company is expecting to alter shifts, to allow officers to patrol earlier and later in the day, when it is believed they will have a greater chance of success in catching errant dog walkers.

Councillors on the area council have been encouraged to pass on details of where dog walkers are known to fail to clear up after their pets, so they can be given attention.

The Kingdom wardens have previously been used for parking enforcement work, but councillors decided months ago to move them from those duties.

Related topics:Dearne ValleyCouncillorsBarnsley Council