‘We won’t be bullied by Kingdom on our green’
A TOWN council remains adamant it will not be bullied despite failed calls to stop “over-enthusiastic” Kingdom officers from dishing out fines on its land.
In March, Anglesey Council authorised a 12-month trial with Kingdom Security to handle on-the-spot fines for fly-tipping, dog-fouling and problem parking.
But according to members of Beaumaris Town Council, “several” complaints have been received from local residents, with Kingdom’s practices being described by the town clerk in the chamber as “over-enthusiastic.”
It is understood that the members’ concerns are about the enforcement officers’ clampdown on the town’s green, which is owned by Beaumaris Town Council. But according to Anglesey Council, Kingdom are permitted to operate in all public areas even if they are privately owned.
The town council’s views echo similar concerns that were raised at Llandudno’s Mostyn Champneys retail park, whose manager described Kingdom officers as “nothing but trouble.”
Alan Barker, one of the bosses at Mostyn Champneys, said there was no need for officers from Kingdom to visit the retail park as it has its own cleaners.
But he said the firm was instructed by Conwy council to issue litter fines despite no consent having been given by the park’s owners. During last week’s meeting of Beaumaris Town Council, the clerk confirmed that he had already been turned down by Anglesey Council officers after approaching them with the members’ concerns. Professor Trevor Ashenden said: “I’ve spoken to a council officer who said that as far as he was concerned, litter enforcement goes hand in hand with emptying the bins.”
But members urged the clerk to push the matter further, with one member of the view that the local authority’s behaviour verged on “bullying”.
Cllr Ian Davies said: “I don’t accept that and we should push Anglesey Council on the matter. There should surely be some discretion.”
He added: The idea of a private company that we have no chance to police or manage is very confusing.”
Interim deputy mayor, Cllr Clay Theakston, said: “This does seem like bullying, to be honest.
“We should stand firm and say we do not accept Kingdom fining people on the green.”
But a spokesperson for Anglesey Council said: “Enforcement is an integral part of ensuring that Anglesey is kept as clean as possible, together with education and operational tasks, such as emptying rubbish bins. These three elements go hand in hand.”
The spokeperson added: “Litter and dog-fouling enforcement can take place on any land open to the public.
“The green in Beaumaris remains a public place, even though it is privately owned.
“The green also has numerous litter bins which are emptied by the County Council all year round.
“Although the green is privately owned, the County Council will continue to service these litter bins and maintain an enforcement presence at this location to help maintain a clean and green island.”