Issue - meetings

Report of Interim Director of Service Delivery

Lead Cabinet member: Councillor Linington

(Key decision):

(1) To approve the Public Spaces Protection Order in draft form, set out at appendix 1 to the report for consultation.

(2) To grant authority to Director of Service Delivery:

(i)            to carry out statutory consultation on the draft Public Spaces Protection Order in conjunction with Telscombe Town Council.

(ii)          If necessary, and in consultation with the Lead Member, to amend the content of the Order in light of consultation responses.

(iii)         To make and publicise the Order in accordance with relevant legislation.

(iv)         To put in place arrangements to enforce the Order with Telscombe Town Council.

(v)          To keep the Order under review; and, in consultation with the Lead Member, cease, renew or amend it at the end of its term, as appropriate.

The Cabinet considered the report of the Director of Service Delivery regarding a proposal to introduce a ‘Public Spaces Protection Order’ to support Telscombe Town Council in reducing the number of dog on sheep attacks on Telscombe Tye by requiring dog walkers to keep their dogs under proper control.

The report sought approval for the draft order to be sent out for public consultation and authorise the Director of Service Delivery to undertake, amend as necessary and subsequently make the order on behalf of the Council.

Section 3 of the report outlined the three options that would be going out for public consultation and further information was appended to the report. The results of the consultation would be circulated to members.

Following a question from visiting member, Councillor Catlin, it was clarified that the ownership of Telscombe Tye was not a determinant factor and that only the local authority could implement a ‘Public Spaces Protection Order’ if it was satisfied that an area of land was a public place, as defined in the legislation.

The Interim Director of Service Delivery outlined the enforcement of the proposed ‘Order’, which would initially focus on educating offenders on responsible dog ownership. Enforcement could result in fixed penalty notices being issued by Neighbourhood First, subject to agreements with Telscombe Town Council. It was also advised that prosecution of an offence and verdict of guilty could result in a fine of up to £1,000.

Resolved (Key decision):

(1) To approve the Public Spaces Protection Order in draft form, set out at appendix 1 to the report for consultation.

(2) To grant authority to Director of Service Delivery:

(i)            To carry out statutory consultation on the draft Public Spaces Protection Order in conjunction with Telscombe Town Council.

(ii)          If necessary, and in consultation with the Lead Member, to amend the content of the Order in light of consultation responses.

(iii)         To make and publicise the Order in accordance with relevant legislation.

(iv)         To put in place arrangements to enforce the Order with Telscombe Town Council.

(v)          To keep the Order under review; and, in consultation with the Lead Member, cease, renew or amend it at the end of its term, as appropriate.

Reason for decisions:

To provide an effective response to sheep attacks on Telscombe Tye, which meets the needs of local residents and partners.