The Committee considered a joint report by Environmental Protection Lead and Senior Solicitor (circulated previously) regarding undertaking a consultation exercise on setting up Public Spaces Protection Orders relating to dog controls.

The Environmental Protection Service Lead highlighted the following:

·         The Council had received sufficient evidence in relation to anti social behaviour associated with dog fouling and control.

·         It was proposed that a consultation exercise be undertaken for a period of 8 weeks which contained measures to enable certain restrictions and obligations to be imposed to help correct behaviour associated with irresponsible dog ownership.

·         Following consultation, the proposals would be reviewed and presented to the Committee for consideration in October 2020.

In response to questions, the Environmental Protection Service Lead advised that the Tarka Trail was included within the consultation.

In response to questions, the Chief Executive advised the following:

·         The dates of the consultation period as detailed in paragraph 4.5 of the report would be confirmed.

·         The first version of the consultation document had been circulated to Members in February 2020 and the responses received had been included within the report presented to the Committee on 4 May 2020.  Following the meeting on 4 May 2020, a Member working group had been held which included representatives from each political party and those Members who represented coastal areas.  The outcomes of working party had been incorporated within the consultation document appended to the report.

·         Concern was expressed regarding the proposal to defer consideration of the consultation document as a working party had already been held and delaying the consultation would put officers under pressure as the Council was awaiting confirmation regarding officers role in the Track and Trace system.

·         In accordance with the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, the Council had to provide evidence of anti-social behaviour before implementing a public space protection order.  Evidence had been provided by the Council’s Environmental Protection Wardens.

·         The Communications Team would be involved in publicising the consultation

In response to a question, the Head of Environmental Health and Housing advised that the impact of dog fouling on water quality was outside of the scope of a public spaces protection order.

Voting for the motion:

Councillors Barker, Lane, Lofthouse, Patrinos, Pearson, Prowse, L. Spear, Wilkinson, Worden and Yabsley.

Voting against the motion:

Nil.

Abstained from voting:

Councillor Leaver

Totals: 10 For, 0 Against and 1 abstained

The Committee considered a joint report by the Environmental Protection Service Lead and Senior Solicitor (circulated previously) regarding Public Spaces Protection Orders Dog Control.

Following concerns raised by the Committee, the Chief Executive advised that if the Committee were minded to defer the consideration of the consultation proposals for one month there were still time to carry out the consultation as the existing cover did not run out until October.  This would give the opportunity for further consultation to take place with Councillors. The controls also operated in other areas such as play areas and there was a need to be sensitive regarding controls on beaches.  It was anticipated that this survey would receive the most responses that the Council had received.