Agenda item

The Portfolio Holder for Climate, Access and Engagement to submit a report seeking approval to go to formal consultation on the extension of a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO), relating to dogs (following initial consultation with the Police), in accordance with the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 (the Act).

Cabinet

(1)  APPROVED formal consultation for the extension of a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO).

Pranali Parikh, Director for Growth and Regeneration introduced the report, the purpose of which was to seek approval to go to formal consultation on the extension of a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO), relating to dogs (following initial consultation with the Police), in accordance with the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 (the Act).

Ms. Parikh highlighted that the Public Spaces Protection Order was approved by Council in December 2019.  The deadline for review was the end of this year and a consultation was proposed to extend the Order for a further 3 years, as PSPOs were a useful tool for the Council in managing and maintaining it’s local environment.

David Walker, Community Safety Lead provided detail of the consultation process, advising that the Council’s current PSPO had worked as a good deterrent to dog fouling.  However, the Council had sufficient reason to apply for the extension, due continued reports of dog fouling from the public etc.  He advised that subject to approval, the consultation would start on 15 July for a period of 12 weeks, via the Council’s website, Leicestershire Police, Members, the Dogs Trust, etc.  Findings from the consultation would be assessed in view of the current Order ending on 14 October.

The Portfolio Holder for Climate, Access and Engagement, Councillor Alison Freer thanked Mr. Walker for his work, commenting that the proposed extension would cover the entire borough.  Today, the consultation to extend the PSPO was being proposed.  Should this go ahead and depending on it’s findings, the renewal would start at the beginning of next year.  If the PSPO extension was refused, the Council would not have the protection it had over the past 3 years to deal with dog related issues.  Parish councils specifically would be contacted for their views during the consultation.

During discussion the following points were raised:

·         The Council had invested heavily in this area of work.

·         A large number of responses to the proposed consultation was anticipated and it would be interesting to see the results.

·         A Member suggested that it should be mandatory that dogs in public areas be kept on leads at all times, to ensure the owner had control of the dog.

·         There were major dog fouling problems in the villages, as well as the town centre.  PSPOs were a vital tool for the Council to deal with this issue.

Cabinet

(1)  APPROVED formal consultation for the extension of a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO).

Reasons for recommendations:

The Council understand well how anti-social behaviour can blight the lives of people in its local communities. The Council recognises that it has a key role to play in helping make local areas safe places to live, visit and work and tackling anti-social behaviour continues to be a high priority for the Council and its partners.

The Council has approved corporate priorities as part of its Corporate Strategy 2020-2024. One of the corporate priorities is ‘protect our climate and enhance our rural, natural environment’. It was identified within the Corporate Strategy that one way of meeting this priority is to use education and enforcement to tackle issues which blight our communities.

The Council receives complaints about dog fouling on a regular basis. The extension of the PSPO would be a proactive way of ensuring that we try to prevent dog fouling issues and have the ability to take enforcement action against those persons who do not pick up after their dog(s).

·         create a clearer, simpler system thereby making it easier for the public to understand,

·         provide a more comprehensive and consistent approach to the control of dogs in the district,

·         provide a penalty for those committing offences,

·         balance the needs of dog owners and other members of the community.

The period of public consultation ensures the views of those affected are taken into account.