Decision details

To introduce Dog Control Orders within the City Council boundaries.

Matter for Decision:  

The Officer’s report outlined the process that has to be undertaken to introduce Dog Control Orders and requested approval from the Executive Councillor to implement Dog Control Orders.

The introduction of Dog Control Orders would offer transparency and consistency within the City Council boundary and would give Police Community Support Officer’s (PCSO’s) the ability to issue fixed penalty notices for offences.

Decision of Executive Councillor for Environmental and Waste Services:

        i.      Approved the implementation of Dog Control Orders.

      ii.      Approved a schedule of Dog Control Orders for public consultation and representations.

    iii.      Agreed that the finalised Dog Control Orders would be approved following consultation with Spokes.

   iv.      Approved the fixed penalty charge of £75 full cost, £50 reduced cost.

Reason for the Decision:

As set out in the Officer’s report.

Any Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:

Not applicable.

Scrutiny Considerations:

The Committee received a report from the Head of Streets and Open Spaces regarding the introduction of dog control orders.

The committee made the following comments in response to the report:

              i.      Members welcomed the report and were pleased to see joint working with the Police and PCSO’s.

            ii.      The consultation process was discussed and the Officer confirmed that the Area Committees would be included in the process.

          iii.      Members asked for more information in the evidence that supported the need for such measures. It was suggested that public complaints and feedback from the street cleansing services showed that dog fouling was a problem across the city.

         iv.      Members agreed that education and encouragement, such as the provision of free dog waste bags, were the most effective way to change public behaviour.

           v.      Bin stickers to inform the public that dog waste could be placed in any bin were suggested.

The Officer confirmed that the Enforcement Officers would have some discretion about how the orders were used. The new powers would allow enforcement of dog exclusion areas such as children’s play areas, which had previously been advisory.

The Committee resolved unanimously to endorse the recommendations.

The Executive Councillor approved the recommendation.

Conflicts of interest declared by the Executive Councillor (and any dispensations granted)

Not applicable.