Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Deputy Chief Executive, (copy enclosed).

The Council considered the report of the Deputy Chief Executive seeking Members’ approval to renew the current Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) relating to the powers for managing dog control in specified places within the district. If agreed the order would be valid for three years from 18 July 2025.

The report advised that implementation of the Anti-Social Behaviour and Policing Act 2014 by the Government in 2014 had given local authorities and the Police more effective powers to tackle Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB). Amongst these tools were PSPO’s which provided Councils with a flexible power to implement local restrictions to address a range of ASB issues in public places in order to prevent future problems. Further details of PSPOs was set out in the report.

The proposed PSPO was attached at Appendix 1 to the report and had been informed by a public consultation. Details of the public consultation process and the results of the consultation were set out in the report and Appendix 3, including comments from the consultation.

The report set out the proposed conditions of the PSPO, including those which resulted in no change, changes to existing controls and new controls proposed.

Following a presentation of the report by the Assistant Director - Customer Services and Operations, the Chairperson moved the recommendations set out in the report. These were duly seconded.

In response to a question regarding signage the Assistant Director advised that the Council would be making amendments to existing signage, as signage was critical, and publicity would follow this to ensure that dog walkers were aware. It was also noted that a soft launch was proposed following approval of the PSPO.

The Chairperson then put the recommendations which were duly agreed.

RESOLVED

(i)             That Members note the outcome of the public consultation as set out at Appendix 3 to the report;

(ii)            that the Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) (Appendix 1 to the report) be renewed for three years from 18 July 2025;

(iii)           that the amended conditions as set out in paragraphs 6.2.1 – 6.2.4 of the report, be agreed;

(iv)           that the new conditions as set out at paragraphs 6.3.1 – 6.3.2 of the report, be agreed.