I AM really concerned that fines for dog fouling are not being collected or followed up by the council.

I recently asked the Council’s Safer Communities Team if they could provide me with details of the number of Fixed Penalty Notices (FPN’s)that have been issued for dog fouling over the last four years.

The figures are as follows:- 2016 – 29 FPNs; 2017 – 19 FPNs; 2018 - 33 FPNs 2019 to date – 15.

These are small numbers given the number of complaints that I know that all communities across Fife, including the Times's readership area, are continuing to make about dog fouling.

It is not clear to me why there are not more Fixed Penalty Notices being issued.

However, of greater concern is the fact that less than 50% of fines are actually being collected. In 2018 for instance, only 11 of the 33 fines that were issued have been collected.

I am writing to the Convener of the Environment and Protective Services Committee to express my concern about this and would urge the Council’s Administration to ‘get a grip’ on this issue.

Residents will be shocked that so few fines are being levied for dog fouling and then the situation is compounded by the fact that so few are collected.

COUNCILLOR TIM BRETT,

Leader of Liberal Democrat Group,

on Fife Council.