FOI request (FOIR-128475584)

Gulls at seaside towns

Requested Wed 03 July 2019
Responded  Mon 15 July 2019

I am sending a similar email to other local authorities across the UK with prominent coastal "seaside" towns, to try and gain an understanding of whether gulls are becoming a greater burden on towns, so any information you can pass on additional to the request would be greatly appreciated.

Please answer the following:

1. How many complaints did the council receive about seagulls (or gulls) in each of the following years:

a. 2010

b. 2011

c. 2012

d. 2013

e. 2014

f. 2015

g. 2016

h. 2017

i. 2018

j. 2019 - year to June 31st

2. If possible, please tell me how many complaints the council received about gulls physically attacking individuals or animals for the years referred to in Question 1?

3. In each of the years referred to in Question 1: (i) what measures, if any, were taken by the council directly against seagulls (for example, egg or nest removal or installation of roof spikes) and (ii) how much did each measure cost?

4. Please give a total expenditure cost on gull management for the years mentioned above?

5. If your council removes gull eggs or nests, please give a breakdown of how many were removed in the years referred to in Question 1?

6. Does your council have a fine/fixed penalty notice policy in place for feeding seagulls and if so, how many were issued for the years referred to in Question 1?

7. Please supply me with any further information deemed relevant about the approach to gulls in your area.

Response

Q1 -

a. 2010 - 0

b. 2011 - 1

c. 2012 - 4

d. 2013 - 9

e. 2014 - 9

f. 2015 - 7

g. 2016 - 6

h. 2017 - 7

i. 2018 - 10

j. 2019 - 9

Q2 - Information not held.

Q3 - No measures were taken.

Q4 - None.

Q5 - No gull eggs or nests removed.

Q6 - No and no fines / fixed penalty notices issued.

Q7 - No other relevant information.