Agenda item

[Report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods. To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Communities and Equalities]

This report considers the extension of the existing Public Space Protection Orders (PSPO) for Alcohol & Dog Control, due to expire on the 18th October 2020.

The Cabinet Member for Communities and Equalities introduced the report which sought approval to consult on the extension of the PSPO for the control of alcohol in the Woodside Ward. The proposal was to extend the boundary to include Lordship Lane, Chapmans Green Park and the roads on the periphery of the park to deal with nuisance or problems in a particular area that is detrimental to the local community’s quality of life, by imposing conditions on the use of that area, which apply to everyone.

Cabinet noted that extending the PSPOs ensured that the Police and the Council have powers under this legislation to deal with anti-social behaviour. These Orders complemented existing powers used to protect and develop a safe clean environment for residents, visitors and businesses.

RESOLVED

1. To authorise consultation on extending the 11 PSPOs for the control of alcohol until October 2023

2. To authorise consultation on varying the boundary of the Woodside alcohol PSPO to include Lordship Lane, Chapmans Green Park and the roads directly surrounding Chapmans Green Park

3. To authorise consultation on extending the dog control PSPO until October 2023

4. To authorise consultation on varying the dog control PSPO to impose a new requirement that dog owners produce a device or other means for removing dog faeces when requested by an officer.

5. To note that following the consultation a further report will be submitted to Cabinet for a decision on extending and varying the PSPOs.

Reasons for decision

Not having valid PSPOs in placewill have an impact on the Police and Council officers ability to enforce drinking and dog-related nuisance across the borough. This may have a detrimental effect on the reputation of the Council by:

• An increase in dog fouling;
• Dogs being walked off the lead for example on highways and in cemeteries;
• Any number of dogs being walked by one person;
• No way to control dogs causing nuisance, (i.e. requirement to place a dog on a lead);
• Dogs entering children’s play areas, sports areas and marked pitches; and
• People drinking alcohol and engaging in behaviour likely to cause nuisance in restricted areas.

Alternative options considered

Not to consult or renew the PSPOs. This option is not recommended for the reasons highlighted in 4.1. Allowing the PSPOs to lapse without extending them will result in a recurrence of the activities that are detrimental to the quality of life of people who live, visit or work in the areas where the PSPOs can be enforced.