Agenda item

Renewal of Public Space Protection Orders for Dog Control Offences - Results of Statutory Consultation

To consider the report of the Service Manager – Public Protection.

Minutes:

Members considered the report of the Service Manager – Public Protection.

 

The Executive Member – Environment spoke in detail to the report which informed Council of the findings of the public consultation on the proposed new Public Space Protection Order for Dog Control Offences and to seek approval for the new Order to commence on 1st November, 2019.

 

A Member said that she wholly supported the new Orders but also advised that it was important that the Orders be enforced.  She explained that in recent weeks a number of rugby matches in Blaina had been cancelled due to the amount of dog fouling on the pitches.  Dog fouling was a serious health matter which could result in sight loss. 

 

Councillor P. Edwards returned to the meeting at this juncture.

 

The Member continued by acknowledging that she knew it was not an easy task to catch perpetrators but parks were being severely affected by this issue and enforcement action had declined over recent years.  She requested an assurance that increased patrols would take place in this area.

 

The Executive Member – Environment confirmed that the situation in Blaina was atrocious and the overall position was not acceptable and stated that if the Orders were approved they would be enforceable. Currently a review of the whole enforcement service was being undertaken to provide further resilience to address these kinds of issues.  Once this review had been completed a report would be presented to Members for consideration.

 

A Member said that he also supported the Orders and said that this should be a fluid document rather than a document that was renewed every 3 years. He pointed out that a number of CAT transfers of grounds had taken place over recent months and these organisations may have ideas on how to address these issues.

 

Councillor S. Healy left the meeting at this juncture.

 

Another Member said that health and safety was of paramount importance to young children who should be able to play in areas in a safe manner.  Enforcement and prosecutions needed to increase and publicised accordingly. There also needed to be sufficient public notices erected advising of the Public Space Protection Orders for Dog Control Offences.

 

Councillor S. Healy returned to the meeting at this juncture.

 

The Corporate Director of Regeneration & Community Services pointed out that in addition to enforcement action it was also the responsibility of the owners to look after their dogs.  Whilst it was difficult to catch the perpetrators, they were prosecuted if caught.  However, if Members were able to raise awareness of issues within certain areas officer resources could be deployed to those particular areas accordingly.  It was noted that the Council currently had four Enforcement Officers that were deployed throughout the County Borough but further resilience was being sought as part of the review process.

  

Upon a vote being taken it was unanimously,

 

RESOLVED, subject to the foregoing, that the report be accepted and Option 1 be endorsed, namely that the new Public Space Protection Order for Dog Controls be approved for commencement on 1st November, 2019.

 

Supporting documents: