Agenda item

It was approved to introduce a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) in relation to dog control throughout the county, in accordance with the draft Proposed Order appended, on the basis that they were satisfied that the test under section 59 of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 had been met. 

One-off costs of £30,500 were approved to introduce PSPO, together with £67,620 from this year's additional revenue budget from the Transformation Fund.  Also, to confirm the priority as the implementation would address the priorities of the people of Gwynedd and would prejudice a 'bid' for £75,620 from an additional permanent revenue budget in the 2022/23 budget.

The Head of Highways and Municipal Department was authorised to undertake and introduce the PSPO.

The report was submitted by Cllr Catrin Wager.

RESOLVED

It was approved to introduce a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) in relation to dog control throughout the county, in accordance with the draft Proposed Order appended, on the basis that they were satisfied that the test under section 59 of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 had been met.

One-off costs of £30,500 were approved to introduce a PSPO, together with £67,620 from this year's additional one-off revenue budget from the Transformation Fund. In addition, the priority was confirmed as the implementation would address the priorities of Gwynedd residents and prejudicing a 'bid' for £75,620 from the additional permanent revenue in the 2022/23 budget.  

The Head of Highways and Municipal Department was authorised to undertake and introduce the PSPO.

DISCUSSION

The report was presented, and it was noted that back in May the Cabinet agreed to have a statutory consultation on the process of introducing a Public Spaces Protection Order in relation to dog control.  It was further explained that the consultation had closed and over 1300 responses had been received.  Every person who had taken time to respond and be part of the consultation were thanked. Attention was drawn to the main observations from the consultation and these included 95% who were in favour of banning dogs from children's play areas, 93% were in favour of banning dogs from playing fields and 99% where in favour that dog owners should clean up after their dogs when they defecate in a public place, and to dispose of the faeces in a responsible way.

It was explained that this report was a request to proceed to introduce the PSPO, however, it was explained that the department was eager to go a step further. It was highlighted that the consultation had noted that 80% of the responders were of the opinion that dog fouling was a problem within their communities and it was explained that this evidenced what the majority of Councillors heard at a grass-roots level. The need to act was emphasised and it was explained that the report sought additional resources to improve signage, provide more bins and to appoint two officers who would be employed to get to the root of the problem.  It was explained that these were the suggestions of residents and therefore the consultation has assisted in drawing-up the work programme.

The Streetscene Manager noted that dog fouling was a national problem and a great deal of work would be undertaken to raise awareness specifically in October.  

Observations arising from the discussion

¾    Support was expressed for the report and it was highlighted that the problem had increased during lockdown. It was highlighted that the report indicated that 10 councillors had responded to the consultation, it was noted that they hoped that the numbers were higher but had not clicked the councillor box. 

¾    It was emphasised that this was the problem of irresponsible owners and not the dogs or the Council, but individuals who do not clean up after their animals.  

¾    It was asked how the department would catch these individuals, it was explained that the officer would go out to the communities beyond usual work hours, the importance of a change in attitude was also emphasised via campaigns with organisations such as Keep Wales Tidy.  It was explained that it would be difficult, however, it was noted that the department was confident that it would be successful via additional resources that would use a combination of different techniques. 

¾    In response to a question about using cameras, it was stated that personal cameras had been used in some cases and it was possible to install cameras if individuals took their dogs to the same place every time.  

¾    It was noted that this bid for funding was a priority as the action would address the priorities of Gwynedd residents and the 'bid' had been pre-awarded for £75,620 from an additional permanent revenue budget in the 2022/23 budget.