AN outraged resident has criticised a report which proposes thousands of pounds worth of cuts to the dog warden service across Tendring.

Nicole El-Safty, of Walton, is calling for action to be taken by locals to try and prevent the proposed cuts of “£6,000” to Tendring’s dog warden service.

Proposals for the budget cuts to the dog warden service was published in Tendring Council’s budget report at the corporate committee meeting on January 5.

Miss El-Safty, who is vice chairperson of Clacton Labour party, said the report showed proposed budget cuts to the dog warden services by around £6,000, which is vastly unpopular.

She said: “Residents on the Frinton and Walton area regularly use the greensward and beaches for dog walks and are appalled by the further cuts proposed to an already stretched service when dog fouling is a major issue.”

There are currently only two dog wardens covering the whole of Tendring.

Miss El-Safty said: “Had I not noticed and shared this issue with residents, we would have been oblivious whilst a largely unpopular decision is made about our area.”

Kirby Cross resident, Ross Crisp, who lives on Frinton Road, has also complained to the council about the dog warden service.

He said: “I should not have to be the one trying to catch the culprit who leaves their dog’s mess on my front grass because of the lack of dog wardens.”

Tendring Council’s communications manager Nigel Brown said that the council has already reduced its annual spend by more than £12million each and every year but needs to find more than a further £3million by 2019/20.

He said: “All services are being looked at as part of the process and nothing is exempt.

"However, the council is confident that it will continue to provide high quality affordable services to our residents while also balancing our budget.”

Mr Brown added: “The possible reduction in budget for the dog warden service does not involve any loss of a job and the council’s budget for 2017/18 will be agreed by the full council next month.”