Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Sustainable Stockport.

The Cabinet Member for Sustainable Stockport (Councillor Sheila Bailey) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing the outcome of a public consultation with regard to the renewal of the existing public space protection order (PSPO) to promote responsible dog ownership.

RESOLVED – That the Public Space Protection Orders as detailed in Appendix 1 to the report to approved and adopted.

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Sustainable Stockport.

Under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, local authorities can introduce Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) to deal with particular nuisance or problems in a designated area that has become detrimental to the local community and is interfering with the right to a decent quality of life.

A PSPO was introduced in September 2018 following a previous consultation. The measures introduced were intended to promote responsible dog ownership.  The Council carried out a consultation exercise on renewal of the previous PSPO.  This paper sets out the consultation undertaken so far, issues identified around enforcement of a PSPO, alternative options for addressing the problems Stockport and the legal basis for a PSPO.

The Cabinet is recommended to approve the PSPO for renewal at a meeting of the Council Meeting as required by the legislation.

Officer contact: Ian O'Donnell on 0161 474 4175 or email: Ian.odonnell@stockport.gov.uk.

The Cabinet Member for Sustainable Stockport (Councillor Sheila Bailey) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing a proposal to renew a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 to promote responsible dog ownership, including the results of a public consultation on the proposal.

RESOLVED - That the Council Meeting be recommended to give approval to the making of the Public Space Protection Order as set out in Appendix 1 of the report.

To consider a report of the Report of the Director of Place Management.

Under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, local authorities can introduce Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) to deal with particular nuisance or problems in a designated area that has become detrimental to the local community and is interfering with the right to a decent quality of life.

A PSPO was introduced in September 2018 following a previous consultation. The measures introduced were intended to promote responsible dog ownership.  The Council carried out a consultation exercise on renewal of the previous PSPO.  This paper sets out the consultation undertaken so far, issues identified around enforcement of a PSPO, alternative options for addressing the problems Stockport and the legal basis for a PSPO.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to comment on and note the report.

Officer contact: Ian O'Donnell on 0161 474 4175 or email: Ian.odonnell@stockport.gov.uk.

The Director of Place Management submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing the outcome of a public consultation with regard to the renewal of the existing public space protection order (PSPO) to promote responsible dog ownership.  The report further outlined the issues identified around enforcement of the order, alternative options for addressing the problems in Stockport and the legal basis for making the order

The Cabinet Member for Inclusive Communities (Councillor Amanda Peers) attended the meeting to respond to questions from the Scrutiny Committee.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         The proposed level at which the fixed penalty notices were set were the maximum that could be imposed.

·         The council had issued relatively few fixed penalty notices, with the purpose of the PSPOs being to encourage responsible dog ownership and behaviour change rather than to impose fines.

·         Consideration should be given to widening the scope of the PSPO to limit the length of the dog leads.

·         Many dog owners wanted a site were dogs were permitted to run free, however it would be difficult in practice to develop such a facility within parks.

·         The lack of litter bins did not excuse a failure to pick up or properly dispose of dog waste.

·         New signage and social media would be used to promote the new PSPO.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.