Legal action warning as Carlisle council cracks down on gull problem
Last updated at 12:55, Tuesday, 23 October 2012
Businesses that allow their premises to be used for “significant gull nesting and mating” could face prosecution.
Carlisle City Council is considering legal action as another tool in its battle against seagulls, which are a particular nuisance during the nesting/breeding season from May to August.
The council receives complaints every year about aggressive birds swooping to attack pedestrians.
Gulls can also block gutters and gas flues, potentially with fatal consequences if fumes cannot escape.
The council has looked at using ‘disturbance techniques’ – loud bangs to frighten off the birds – but says this is inappropriate in the city centre.
Another option is to deploy birds of prey.
Companies at Kingstown paid for a hawk to be brought in when they suffered a spate of attacks in 2010 while McVitie’s has used birds of prey to keep seagulls off its factory in Caldewgate.
But the council says birds would have to be flown at least daily over a prolonged period.
The latest tactic, legal action, is outlined in a report to the environment and economy scrutiny panel, which meets on Thursday.
The report says: “The most effective control against gulls is for occupiers and owners of land to proof their buildings to discourage birds nesting and producing eggs.
“Should nesting occur the eggs can be oiled or removed, although the most effective method is to replace the eggs with dummy eggs, which keeps the birds nesting and stops them laying other eggs.
“These actions need to be taken by occupiers and owners.
“The council will consider legal action against premises that allow their premises to be used for significant gull nesting and mating.”
The report also updates councillors on the progress of the ‘cleaning up Carlisle’ campaign.
This was launched by the Labour administration that took control of the city council in May in an attempt to clampdown on dog fouling, littering, graffiti and fly tipping.
Fourteen fixed penalty notices were issued last month, and 24 since the start of the financial year in April, compared with 18 in the whole of 2011-12.
First published at 12:34, Tuesday, 23 October 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk
Doesnt seem to be any mention about the sea gulls nesting in and around the roofs of all the solicitors offices in and around Spencer street will the council take them on and hold them responsible
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its the sados who throw there half eaten takeaways down onto the streets.or the lazy school kids who can be seen disposing there litter and half eaten food next to a council black bin,we cant blame the business people who are getting there fingers rapped in this case.
Posted by robert 3 on 6 November 2012 at 11:09