Issue - meetings

There had been a site visit to Rooks Wood in Wokingham in conjunction with other local LAFs, where Forum members and Local Authority officers looked at how responsible dog ownership was being promoted by Wokingham Borough Council. This was a good opportunity to share best practice and see how other authorities were tackling the issue of irresponsible dog ownership, for example, addressing dog fouling and poor dog control.

There was a need to get the balance right between promoting the message of responsible down ownership, without alienating the target audience. Providing dog bins in the right location was important to help encourage people to properly dispose of their dog’s waste. There could be better co-ordination between land owners and local authorities regarding this matter. The Crown Estate was keen to help with co-ordinating hot spots for this. Muzzies roundabout dog bin, it was noted, was not being emptied regularly.

Rooks Wood was a well managed site, with a good facility and pathways. Whilst this was a useful visit, it was suggested that Dinton Pastures would perhaps be a better site to visit, as irresponsible dog ownership appeared to be a bigger issue there.

Future site visit ideas included: Swinley Forest pipeline with John Deakin, Jealott’s Hill Community Landshare Project, contact David Putt, and meeting at the new Community Centre at The Parks.

(Action: Rose Wicks/ John Deakin)