Decision details

The Director, Legal Services spoke of the two Public Spaces Protection Orders related to dog controls within Rhondda Cynon Taf, which were due to expire on the 30^th September 2020. The Director sought Cabinet approval, in principal to extend and vary those orders and to authorise officers to publicise the proposed orders and to consult as required by the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.

The Director explained that despite the introduction of the Orders in 2017, there still remained a minority of dog owners who do not clean up after their dogs or keep them under control; and that it was therefore considered vital the orders, which would ordinarily expire on 30^th September 2020, are renewed for a further period in order to maintain the significant benefits the orders have had in relation to dog fouling.

The Director advised that the proposal did not include any major variations, save for expanding the order to cover several Community Council sites, following representation made by those Community Councils.

The Cabinet Member for Environment, Leisure and Heritage was happy to support the extension and spoke of the reduction in dog fouling following the Cabinet decision in 2017, which had been noted in a recent External Audit report.

The Cabinet Member for Stronger Communities, Wellbeing and Cultural Services also voiced his support for the proposals, commenting that dog fouling was a common issue raised by residents and that there remained a minority of people who flout the rules.

The Deputy Leader stated that this was the opportunity to consult with the Community Councils and address any anomalies within the Orders; and that there was a need for lease owners of sport pitches to provide appropriate signage for the public.

The Cabinet RESOLVED:

1.    To approve in principle, the proposal to extend and vary the two Public Spaces Protection Orders for dog control within Rhondda Cynon Taf, for a further period of three years from 1^st October 2020, in the form set out at Appendix B1 and B2 of the report;

2.    To authorise officers to publicise the proposed orders and to carry out a consultation exercise as required by the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014; and

3.    To receive a further report detailing the responses to the consultation and any recommendations for amendments to the proposed orders.