Issue - meetings

The report and Appendicies A, C, D, E and F are attached to the agenda.

 

Appendix B is available here

Matter for Decision

The Officer’s report:

      i.          Referenced the statutory consultation exercise conducted by the Council during March and April 2020 in relation to the proposal to extend and vary the Public Spaces Protection Order (‘PSPO’) for Dog Control 2017 in respect of dog control (including dog fouling, dog exclusion and dogs on leads requirements) within Cambridge.

     ii.          Referenced responses to consultation and main substantive issues raised

   iii.          Set out recommendations for the Executive Councillor.

 

The Council had given careful consideration to the responses to the consultation exercise.  The PSPO, as varied and extended, was not put forward as a means of unduly restricting the exercising or recreation of dogs across the city. The reason for the PSPO was to address the detrimental effect on the quality of life of those in the locality caused by the irresponsible behaviour of a small minority of dog owners; and to set out a clear standard of behaviour to which all dog owners were required to adhere.

 

Decision of Executive Councillor for Transport and Community Safety

      i.          Approved the PSPO, as set out in Appendix A of the Officer’s report.

·       Approved the area of the PSPO, as indicated in the maps at Appendix B of the Officer’s report.

·       Delegated to officers the authority to install, update and/or remove signage appropriate to any PSPO that may be agreed.

 

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 Community Engagement and Enforcement Manager. She updated paragraph 3.33 of the report as follows:

 

Following the fairly equal response regarding removal of previous restrictions at the play areas set out in 3.31, officers recommend that the areas detailed should not have the existing restrictions removed and the areas continue to be locations in which dogs are required to be on leads at all times.

 

The Community Engagement and Enforcement Manager said the following in response to Members’ questions:

      i.          As part of the consultation process signs had been put up in parks and open spaces advising of a consultation to variation an extension to the 2017 PSPO.

     ii.          A consultation exercise had also undertaken so that local residents could feedback on the proposals. 267 had done so, which was comparable to the 330 responses in last consultation of 2017.

   iii.          Officers had tried to contact people who walked dogs commercially [usually individuals rather than companies] about the proposals and to seek their views. .

   iv.          The Wildlife Trust had also previously been approached.

    v.          The PSPO recommendation regarding Byrons Pool and the restriction of the number of dogs followed national guidance that:

a.    One person should be limited to having a maximum of four dogs on leads at any one time in order to be able to control them.

b.    Walkers should tidy up after their dogs.

 

The Committee unanimously resolved to endorse the recommendations.

 

The Executive Councillor approved the recommendations.

 

Conflicts of Interest Declared by the Executive Councillor (and any Dispensations Granted)

No conflicts of interest were declared by the Executive Councillor.