To procure an outside organisation to provide littering and dog fouling enforcement within the county of Herefordshire for a trial period of 12 months with an option to extend for up to 5 years.

That

(a)  An outside organisation be procured to provide littering and dog fouling enforcement within the county of Herefordshire for a trial period of 12 months, with an option to extend for up to 5 years on a 3 year plus 1 year plus 1 year basis; and

(b)  Authority be delegated to the corporate director economy and environment, following consultation with the cabinet member, to award the contract and take all operational decisions to implement the contract.

1.            Remain as per the current status with the community protection team carrying out the enforcement on an intelligence led basis.  This is not recommended because the contract will enable the enforcement capacity to be increased without this cost being passed to the council.

2.            Remain as per the current status with the community protection team carrying out the enforcement on an intelligence led basis and develop the volunteer parish officer scheme. This is not recommended because the contract will enable the enforcement capacity to be increased without this cost being passed to the council and the volunteer parish officer scheme can still be pursued with or without the contract.