Issue - meetings

The purpose of this report is to consider the responses from the recent consultation process and determine whether to introduce a PSPO for the area of land known as Holgate Dock.

Resolved: That option 1 be approved:

·        To introduce a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) within Holgate Dock to ban dogs from the area and to set the amount of any Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) at £100, which would be reduced to £75 if paid within the first 14 days.

Reason: To ensure that the council actively addresses the issue of anti-social behaviour in our communities.

The Executive Member considered the responses from the recent consultation process to determine whether to introduce a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) for the area of land known as Holgate Dock.

Officers gave an update and confirmed that the decision to undertake consultation was in response to complaints received from St Paul’s Primary School  and residents who had highlighted issues with dog fouling within Holgate Dock.

The Executive Member noted that as part of the process the Council sought views from local residents to determine whether they supported the PSPO and of the182 survey responses  received 57% said they would support a PSPO with 56% supporting an outright ban for dogs.   

Officers stated that it was a small minority of individuals who did not clean up after their dogs and that the ban was not intended to criminalise dog owners.  

The Executive Member confirmed he had considered all the consultation responses including residents’ and ward councillors’ concerns and the options available in the report. After much consideration he felt option 2 and 3 were unworkable and, due to the land being primarily used by St Pauls Primary School, option 1 should be introduced. He agreed that most dog walkers were responsible owners so he did not want his decision to stigmatise them or be seen as a precedent for any up and coming PSPO bans. He also felt that the problems related to toxocariasis should not be over stated.

Resolved: That option 1 be approved:

·         To introduce a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) within Holgate Dock to ban dogs from the area and to set the amount of any Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) at £100, which would be reduced to £75 if paid within the first 14 days.

Reason:     To ensure that the council actively addresses the issue of anti-social behaviour in our communities.