Can I call this a victory?

Here follows a Council press release -

New home for Chalkwell Park’s peacocks
 

Friday 23 February 2018

Chalkwell Park’s peacocks are to be rehoused to a 24-acre private estate.

The birds, which have been at the park for many years, will be rehomed this weekend.

Cllr Ann Holland, Executive Member for Culture, Tourism and The Economy, said: “I regularly receive correspondence from local people who feel their current accommodation at the park is not large enough.

“While we have had bird experts check the premises and confirm that the accommodation is ample for the birds, I have listened to local people’s feelings and accepted an offer for them to go to a private home where they will join other peafowl.

“While many people will be sad to see the peacocks go, we can all take comfort that they are moving to a bigger home where they will have plenty of room to spread their wings and roam freely.”

A blow for animal welfare in Southend-on-Sea

The Cabinet’s decision to deny my motion on freeing the Chalkwell Park Four (peafowl) is not just a disappointment to me; it is a bitter blow for all who champion animal rights in Southend-on-Sea. If they could but express an opinion I have no doubt that the peafowl would also express disgust with their continued incarceration.

The ruling Conservative administration justify their decision on the grounds that the peafowl have been bred in captivity; and yet I have not called for their release into the wild, only for a more suitable (and humane) home.

Further, the administration claim “they are regularly fed and watered, breeding and show no signs of distress and are in good health”. This is at variance with the reality of dead chick last summer, and obvious signs of neglect. Also, these magnificent birds are subject to torment by visitors and their pets. Being in such a small enclosure they are unable to avoid the attention of those who whether by accident or design find themselves teasing these birds.

It is a bad day for animal welfare in Southend-on-Sea. I cannot give up on this because cruelty will not just go away, it must be forced out. Attitudes must change in the Council chamber, and I hope that those who value animal welfare will consider very carefully when voting in May’s local elections.

Peafowl motion declined - another sad day for animal welfare in Southend-on-Sea

From the minutes of the Cabinet (Southend-on-Sea Borough Council) meeting of Tuesday, 9^th January 2018:

3 Notice of Motion – Caged Peafowl

At the meeting of Council held on 14^th December 2017, Members received a notice of motion calling on the Council to move the caged peafowl in the Chalkwell menagerie to a more humane home.

This has been proposed by Councillor Ware-Lane and seconded by Councillor Willis.

Resolved:

1,  That it be noted that the peafowl have been bred in captivity and are in space sufficient for them and are being cared for. They are regularly fed and watered, breeding and show no signs of distress and are in good health. The space that they occupy has been recently improved and the Council is considering further improvements to their surroundings.

2,  That the Council continue to review the situation before coming to a decision about the future of the Peafowl and will take advice from independent animal welfare charities, i.e. RSPCA and RSPB.

Reasons for Decision

To respond to the notice of motion.

Other Options

None

Note:- This is an Executive Function

Eligible for call-in to Place Scrutiny Committee

Executive Councillor:- Holland

Dog waste bins not being emptied

Chalkwell Park today

I have heard a couple of reports recently of overfull and unemptied dog waste bins. Today I spotted an example for myself, in Chalkwell Park.

This is dispiriting. Dog waste on pavements etc is an all too frequent complaint from residents. I try to encourage all dog owners to be responsible, and often point out where dogs are sited. I have even been responsible for new dog bins being place in Milton ward.

How can we encourage responsible dog ownership if dog bins are not being emptied often enough?

The Conservative-UKIP coalition in Southend-on-Sea has seen a number of waste disposal problems on its watch - this is another sorry chapter in that sad story.

The Welfare of the Chalkwell Park Peacocks

PRESS RELEASE

Ashleigh Condon at the Chalkwell Park peacock enclosure

Labour councillor, Julian Ware-Lane, is concerned for the four peacocks in Chalkwell Park. The peacock and three peahens are caged in what is the last vestige of Chalkwell Park menagerie.

Decades ago Chalkwell Park was home to Lulu the bear, as well as chimpanzees and many other smaller mammals, birds, and reptiles. Now, all that remains are the peafowl - the concerns for animal welfare have seen the other animals re-homed over the years.

Chalkwell Park peacocks

Animal rights campaigner, Cllr Ware-Lane, wants these birds to be re-homed. "Nowadays peafowl are seen wandering the grounds of stately homes and the like, not caged. These enclosures do not seem big enough to me, not for birds of this size."

"I recall visiting the Chalkwell Park menagerie on many occasions as a child, but times have moved on. Now we are much better informed about animal rights. These birds should be free to roam" added Julian.

Ashleigh Condon, Labour LCF Secretary and animal rights campaigner is also concerned for these birds: "I do not believe in caging birds although I understand that those bred in captivity probably ought to stay that way. However, they should have the space suited to their needs. Peacocks are large birds that need a large space to roam. The council has a duty of care for their well-being."


Cllr Ware-Lane is calling for these birds to be re-homed so that they can roam free.