Issue - meetings

The Portfolio Holder for Culture and Communities to present the report and set out the recommendation from Place and Resources Overview Committee of 5 October 2023.

(a)  That the DOG-related Public Spaces Protection Order be approved, as set out within the original report to Place and Resources Overview Committee of 5 October 2023, (starting at paragraph 1.2 of the report) and

(b)  That the PSPO be reviewed after the winter period by the appropriate committee with a focus on Lyme Regis Front Town Beach.

Reasons for the decision

To protect public health, safety and animal welfare.

To provide a new PSPO as required by the Anti-social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014.

To assist with the efficient use of enforcement resources.

To recognise the public’s support, through the consultation responses, for certain restrictions required for public safety.

To recognise and implement the requirements of the Equality legislation.

The Portfolio Holder for Culture and Communities set out the findings from the Dog-related Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) public consultation, as presented in the report.  In presenting the report she took this opportunity to thank officers for their work, to the Place and Resources Overview Committee for their contributions and all the people who had participated in the consultation process. 

The Portfolio Holder advised that she understood the difficulties that Lyme Regis had in balancing the needs of tourists against those of residents. However, it was appropriate to have consistency for all who use Dorset beaches during the winter.

The Portfolio Holder therefore proposed that (a) the DOG-related Public Spaces Protection Order be approved, as set out within the original report to Place and Resources Overview Committee of 5 October 2023 and (b) the PSPO be reviewed after the winter period by the appropriate committee with a focus on Lyme Regis Front Town Beach.

The amended recommendation was seconded by Cllr R Bryan.

In making this proposal, the Portfolio Holder advised that there wasn’t the evidence in place to indicate that the Lyme Regis front town beach had more family visitors than other coastal towns beaches. Nor was there evidence on increased fouling or dog attacks for that area. But she was mindful of the comments given regarding this issue by the Overview Committee and wanted to give reassurance to the locality that the situation would be monitored going forward. 

Non-executive members, including the Chairman of the Place and Resources Overview Committee, spoke in support of this proposal for the Lyme Regis front town beach and agreed that this was a fair compromise.

Cabinet members supported the proposal because it was important to have a fair approach across the Dorset Council area and failure to have a consistent approach could cause confusion to visitors. However, they supported the opportunity to review the decision in respect of Lyme Regis front town beach to ensure that it was fair and correct.

Decision

(a)           That the DOG-related Public Spaces Protection Order be approved, as set out within the original report to Place and Resources Overview Committee of 5 October 2023, (starting at paragraph 1.2 of the report) and

(b)           That the PSPO be reviewed after the winter period by the appropriate committee with a focus on Lyme Regis Front Town Beach.

Reasons for the decision

To protect public health, safety and animal welfare.

To provide a new PSPO as required by the Anti-social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014.

To assist with the efficient use of enforcement resources.

To recognise the public’s support, through the consultation responses, for certain restrictions required for public safety.

To recognise and implement the requirements of the Equality legislation.

To consider a report of the Service Manager Environmental Protection.

The committee considered a report of the Service Manager Environmental Protection, which summarised the findings from a Dog-related Public Spaces Protection Order public consultation undertaken between June and August 2023.  Informed by the consultation, it proposed the new draft Dog-related Public Spaces Protection Order 2024 (PSPO) which would replace the existing PSPO.  The report outlined the provisions for the Council area for a period of 3 years from 1 January 2024 until 31 December 2026.  The committee was invited to consider the matters within the report, make any comments on the draft Order and recommend the draft Order to Cabinet at their meeting on 7 November 2023.

The committee discussed the recommendations (provisions) contained within the report in turn.

Recommendation to Cabinet (including comments where relevant)

That the draft Dog-related Public Spaces Protection Order be approved with comments and recommendations made as follows:

1.2      Proposed Provisions - generic provisions

1.2.1     Clearance of dog fouling and appropriate disposal from public open spaces. Page 7 of the consultation report and the proposed open spaces listed in Schedule 1 of the draft Order. This received almost universal support (99% 2023), (97% 2020).

Recommended for inclusion.

1.2.2     Maximum lead length of 2m where required, page 7 and the areas are listed in Schedule 3 of the draft Order. This received significant support (82% 2023), (75% 2020). There was some commentary suggesting that it should be considered on a site-by-site basis. A consistent approach is recommended as variations could be considerable and confusing to the public.

Recommended for inclusion.

1.2.3     Dogs on lead as directed by an authorised officer, maximum lead length 2m, page 8. This received almost universal support (96% 2023), (92% 2020).

Recommended for inclusion.

1.3          Proposed Provisions - dogs on leads, generic locations

1.3.1     Municipal cemeteries, church and graveyards, where dogs are permitted, page 9. Received almost universal support (91% 2023), (85% 2020)

Recommended for inclusion.

1.3.2     Public formal gardens, page 10. Received significant support (80% 2023), (65% 2020). Some commentary was received on providing zoned areas and allowing off lead in part, however given the number of locations, this was considered a potentially confusing measure for the public and would require significant additional signage.

Recommended for inclusion.

1.3.3     Council owned allotments where permitted, page 11. Received significant support (75% 2023), (65% 2020).

It was noted that all town and parish councils had the opportunity to comment through the public consultation.

Recommended for inclusion.

1.3.4     Council owned car parks, page 12. Received significant support (92% 2023), (85% 2020)

Recommended for inclusion.

1.3.5     Within 5m of marked sports pitches, page 13. Received significant support (80% 2023), (70% 2020). There was some commentary about adopting a non-blanket approach - considering the restriction only when the pitch is being used for sport. However, the risk of residual dog fouling near to the pitch remains a concern. 

Recommended for inclusion.

1.4          Proposed Provisions - dogs on leads, specific locations. Page 14 of the consultation report.

1.4.1     Rodwell Trail,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 32