Bath businesses are being urged to help in the city’s constant battle against gulls by highlighting any action they have taken themselves to tackle the menace.
Bath and North East Somerset Council is staging what it is calling a ‘scrutiny inquiry day’ later this month which will focus on reducing the gulls’ food source caused by litter and exposed waste.
As part of the preparation for the event, the council wants to hear from businesses on their experiences and any action they have already being taken. Businesses wishing to help can take part in an online survey at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/BKCTJ9D
Bath’s gull menace is a constant problem for the world heritage city, particularly in its historic centre where the birds gather to scavenge for food from bins and discarded takeaway cartons.
As a result the city’s streets are often strewn with litter and gull excrement – a situation that tourist chiefs fear is damaging Bath’s image as an international visitor destination.
The council has taken steps to combat the problem including taking action against city centre retailers and other businesses that leave rubbish outside their premises and installing compactor bins with lids to thwart hungry gulls. Other action has included swapping eggs in the birds’ nests with fake ones in a bid to reduce the gull population.
The morning of the inquiry day will include presentations by experts, council officers and Government representatives. The afternoon will include a workshop session for the public to respond to the practical recommendations put forward.
The council’s chair of planning, transport and environment policy development and scrutiny Marie Longstaff said: “The intention of the day is to educate on causes of large gull populations and dispel myths about what can and cannot be done to solve the problem. I want to see every resident, worker and visitor playing their part.”
The event is at the Guildhall from 9.30am until 3.30pm on November 27.
For further information or to submit a written statement, contact: scrutiny@bathnes.gov.uk; Policy Development and Scrutiny Team, Bath & North East Somerset Council, High Street, Bath, BA1 5AW; or call 01225 396053.
