Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Portfolio Holder for Customer and Community Services.

Decision

(a)       That the Dog-related Public Spaces Protection Order 2020, be approved;

(b)        That West Beach, Charmouth be included  as an exclusion area between 1 May and 30 September with dog’s exercised off-lead at other times. East Beach at Charmouth to have no restrictions.

Reason for Decision

To protect public health, safety and animal welfare.

To consolidate existing Dog-related Public Spaces Protection Orders and provisions into a single Order to give greater consistency and clarity for residents and visitors to Dorset.

To assist with the efficient use of enforcement resources.

The Portfolio Holder for Customer and Community Services presented the report and advised that it had been considered and supported by the Place & Resources Overview Committee at its meeting on 21 September 2020.

She advised that a submission has been received from Charmouth Parish Council requesting a change to the recommendation for Charmouth beaches.

Officers supported this proposed change as an error had been made in drafting the Order. In effect the change will move the proposed restriction from East Beach to West Beach.

The following amendment was proposed ‘ to include West Beach as an exclusion area between 1 May and 30 September with dog’s exercised off-lead at other times. East Beach to have no restrictions.’ This was seconded by Cllr L Miller.

The Chairman of Place & Resources Overview Committee advised that the committee felt the consultation results should be adhered to and the recommendations were supported.

 Decision

(a)       That the Dog-related Public Spaces Protection Order 2020, be approved;

(b)        That West Beach, Charmouth be included  as an exclusion area between 1 May and 30 September with dog’s exercised off-lead at other times. East Beach at Charmouth to have no restrictions.

Reason for Decision

To protect public health, safety and animal welfare.

To consolidate existing Dog-related Public Spaces Protection Orders and provisions into a single Order to give greater consistency and clarity for residents and visitors to Dorset.

To assist with the efficient use of enforcement resources.

To consider the matters within the report and make any comments on the draft Order and recommend the draft Order (as amended) to Cabinet at their meeting on 6 October 2020.

The committee received a report which summarised the findings from a Dog-related Public Space Protection Order consultation undertaken between January and May 2020. Informed by the consultation, the report proposed a draft Dog-related Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) to replace and consolidate existing PSPO’s and byelaws for the Council area for a period of 3 years.  The Place and Resources Overview Committee were invited to consider the matters within the report, make any comments on the draft Order and recommend the draft Order (as amended) to Cabinet at their meeting on 6 October 2020.

The Chairman highlighted the importance of having a single PSPO for Dorset Council and that the measures needed to be fair and proportionate to both dog owners and non dog owners.  The consultation drew in views from a large number and wide range of people and the Chairman thanked all that had participated.  In addition, he noted representations from the Kennel Club, Guide Dogs for the Blind and assistance dogs and also reminded members that issues around enforcement were not for consideration at this meeting.

The Head of Community and Public Protection noted that officers had worked to consolidate existing provisions where possible but with an aim to achieve a single PSPO for the whole Dorset Council area for greater consistency.  Some issues raised during the consultation would be considered as part of the 3 year review of the PSPO and this would include dog exercise areas on beaches.  He offered his thanks to Mark Simons for his work on the consultation report.

Councillors considered general issues arising from the report and during discussion the following points were raised:

·                Councillors congratulated officers on their work on the successful consultation exercise.  It was noted that consultation had been extensive and included vets and the RSPCA

·                The importance of clear signage was highlighted which it was suggested could include the use of visual mapping, colour coding and detail and what was allowed and not allowed in a particular areas.  Including a telephone number for reporting incidents and a QR code to provide access to the council’s website for relevant information were both also suggested as potential additions to signage

·                It was noted that officers would be working with town and parish councils to agree the most appropriate signage for particular areas

·                The council had the power to place a PSPO on any public land irrespective of ownership

·                A point was raised that there was a need to take a balanced approach in this area and that there should not be a complete ban on dogs being allowed on beaches

·                A discussion was held in respect of whether timings could be placed on when dogs could be exercised on a particular area such as a beach when covered by an exclusion period.  It was noted that there could be an issue with the cleaning of beaches if dogs were allowed

·                Issues around enforcement were raised and the Head of Community and Public Protection noted that the use of enforcement  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5