Issue - meetings

To consider the attached report of the Director of Governance.

The Environmental Protection Manager presented the report on the consultation for a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO).

Members were advised that the Anti-Social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014 provided local authorities with powers to make PSPOs. These orders were intended to address activities carried out in public spaces which had a detrimental effect on the quality of life of those in the locality.

The Council implemented a PSPO in 2015 that related to:

(i)            Failing to remove dog faeces (covering the whole District);

(ii)           Failing to put a dog on a lead after being requested to do so by an authorised officer (covering the whole District);

(iii)          Failing to keep a dog on a lead in specified places; and

(iv)         Permitting a dog to enter specified land from which dogs are excluded

Under the legislation, a PSPO operated for 3 years unless extended and/or varied and it was proposed that it be extended for another 3 years with minor amendments. The level of the fixed penalty notice would remain at £75 to be paid within 14 days with no reduction for early payment.

Members were advised that some initial responses to the consultation had already been received.

The following points were raised by Members:

·         To ask for the Freeman’s Way play area to be included as a dog exclusion area.

·         In response to a question concerning extending the scope of the PSPO to cover town centre precincts in respect of keeping a dog on a lead it was stated that the Council would encourage consultation responses in respect of this matter.

·         To question if officers were satisfied that the level of enforcement was sufficient given the majority of people were issued with warnings rather than a fixed penalty notice.

RESOLVED: That the report be noted.

To consider the attached report of the Director of Governance.

Responsibility: Portfolio Holder for Property Management and Environmental Health

It was agreed that the commencement of the necessary period of consultation on the extension and variation of the Public Spaces Protection Order, to run from 12 March to 9 April 2018, in accordance with Section 72 of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, be approved.