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The Committee considered the Senior Environmental Ranger's report which provided Members with details about a review being carried out of dog control measures within the Borough with a view to consolidating existing bylaws and designation orders along with any new requirements under a single Public Space Protection Order (PSPO).
The Senior Environmental Ranger reported that a review of dog control measures across the Borough had been undertaken with a view to updates bylaws and controls many of which were created in the 1980's. The new controls will be regulated under the recently introduced Anti Social Behaviour, Crime And Policing Act 2014. Initial consultation has been carried out internally with Officers, Management and Councillors and externally with Parish Councils and a number of land owners as to what control measures are felt are required on publicly accessible land across the Borough. These proposals had been collated into a draft PSPO, and as part of the legal process to implement a PSPO public consultation must be carried out to provide the opportunity for comment and views on the proposals. Furthermore, the Senior Environmental Ranger had recently attended a workshop at Barking and Dagenham Council who had carried out a trial of using DNA sampling to help address the issue of dog fouling.
In discussing the report Members raised queries on the sites that had been identified which currently have no Borough Council control measures in place but for which Environmental Services had received a proposal. A Member commented that there was a need to advise the public aswell as where dogs should be kept on a lead where dogs can be exercised off the lead. A Member also commented that the Council should not take on the responsibility for enforcement of the provisions on privately owned land.
The Committee recorded their thanks and appreciation to the work carried out by the Environmental Rangers throughout the Borough.
RESOLVED :
(1) That approval be given to the consolidation of dog control legislation within the Borough into a new PSPO as detailed in the Senior Environmental Ranger's report.
(2) To agree to the methodology of the public consultation as detailed in the Senior Environmental Ranger's report.
(3) To agree that following the public consultation the final draft version of the PSPO will be brought back to the Environment Committee for ratification.
(4) To agree that for the present time the Council will not pursue the issue around DNA testing on dog faeces.