Campaign to tackle gull problem

Bath & North East Somerset Council plans to work with two universities on an 18-month research project into gull behaviour. Behavioural ecology and psychology students from the University of the West of England and Middlesex University will map and track the behaviour of the gulls as they interact with their food sources and nesting sites.

Alongside this, the Council has also earmarked £60,000 to trial a series of measures to deter the gull population from settling in the city. This includes free roof treatments, including the removal of nests to affected properties in designated areas where evidence confirms large, or increasing, numbers of breeding pairs.  This is part of the Council’s co-ordinated approach to the gull problem – which also includes reducing access to food sources, and communicating the importance of keeping the streets clear of litter and waste and not feeding the gulls.

“It is, of course, welcome that the Council is taking the problem of urban gulls seriously. The Liberal Democrat administration worked hard over the previous four years to introduce various innovations to discourage urban gulls. These contributed to slowing the growth of gull populations, and it is reassuring to note that the new administration is planning to continue with many of our measures.”

“However, it is ridiculous if B&NES Council has been forced to go it alone and independently set up a research partnership on the life cycle of the urban gull, after the Conservative government cancelled the £250,000 package of funding into just this issue. The Lib Dems fought for years for the government funded project, which was dropped as one of the first actions of the incoming Conservative government. It is to be hoped that a research project on this local scale will produce useful results.”

Tackling the Seagull problems

We are pleased to hear from Don Foster MP that funding has been announced for research into urban gulls. Here in Westmoreland ward we are well aware of the problems and are regularly contacted by  residents who complain about the number of urban gulls in the area. We have long tried to get the matter resolved and as a council we have introduced oiling of eggs brought In Seagul proof refuse sacks and introduced gull deterring paint. 

Don tells us that The Government has committed £250,000 to fund new research that will help tackle the problems that gulls are causing in cities and towns like Bath.

 The current number of urban gulls in the UK is unknown, but according to the latest report by Defra’s Chief Scientist the two commonest species alone total over 250,000 breeding pairs. This research will improve the understanding of urban seagulls’ life cycles and behaviour so that councils are better placed to tackle the problems they are causing, including by controlling urban seagull populations.

We are pleased that the government have agreed to look into the problems for us, but we realise that the problem will not be resolved overnight, but at least now we have got significant back up and support.

Vernon Park

I have asked the council to look at bringing in Gull proof sacks to this road.

I have again reported the amount of mess left in this road, which was caused by birds attacking bags with food waste in them.

The council should have by now cleaned this road up but the situation can not be allowed to continue so I have also asked the council to investigate further what can be done to resolve this problem.

Brook Road Rubbish

We have complained about the state of Brook Road after a recent refuse collection in the street where
food waste was scattered over the pavements after being put out in general rubbish bags and not in the black food recycling bins.

We have asked that a leaflet drop is carried out in this street reminding residents of the need to keep food waste secure otherwise it is an easy target for Gulls in the area.

Please ask your neighbour if see them not recycling properly not to put food waste out as easy food for Gulls.

Bath's Seagull problem resolved ?

I was pleased to hear the the Bath Seagull problem was resolved only to find out that in a report to the councils scrutiny panel they had renamed them as urban gulls. So now we have a problem with urban Gulls to resolve. All joking aside There are now only four weeks until Bath residents, business owners and visitors come together to discuss how to tackle the urban gull population in the city. Bath and North East Somerset Council is hosting a scrutiny inquiry day focused on reducing the gulls’ food source caused by litter and exposed waste. The event is being held from 9.30am until 3.30pm on Wednesday 27 November 2013 at the Guildhall and is open to all. The morning will focus on providing information and will include presentations by experts, council officers and government representatives. The afternoon will include a workshop session for everyone to have their say in the practical recommendations that are put forward. As part of the preparation for the day, the council is particularly keen to hear from local businesses on their experiences and action already being taken. An online survey has been made available at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/BKCTJ9D The survey should take about five minutes to complete and it is hoped as many local businesses as possible will take the time to share their views. The inquiry is a public meeting and the council wishes to encourage broad interest and participation in the day. Although it is not obligatory to submit statements in advance, it is recommended that those who wish to speak do so due to the level of interest in this subject. If you do wish to submit your statement in advance in writing, please ensure they are received no later than five working days before. For further information on the day or to submit a written statement, please contact: scrutiny@bathnes.gov.uk; Policy Development and Scrutiny Team, Bath & North East Somerset Council, High Street, Bath, BA1 5AW; or call 01225 396053.

Gull Enquiry date set

Local residents, business owners and visitors are being invited by Bath & North East Somerset Council come together to tackle the urban gull population in the city. A scrutiny inquiry day being held on Wednesday 27 November 2013 on reducing the gulls’ food source caused by litter and waste dropped on the ground or exposed in unsuitable containers. The day will aim to raise awareness on causes of large gull populations and dispel myths about enhance understanding about what can and cannot be done to solve the problem. The ultimate aim is to come up with a set of practical recommendations for change and for every resident, worker and visitor to play their part. The morning will focus on providing information and will include presentations by experts, council officers and government representatives. The afternoon will include a workshop session for everyone to have their say in the practical recommendations that are put forward.

Seagull issues

It is great to see that following action by both Westmoreland ward Councillors, Bookers Cash & Carry have finally started to take action against the seagulls by putting netting on their roof.

This will hopefully prevent future nesting on the roof and help to decrease the numbers of seagulls in this particular area of the ward.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all the residents in Brook Road and Bellotts Road that signed the petition that I organised and sent to both the local Bookers warehouse and their head office to ask for this action to be taken.

by 
Sarah Moore