Agenda item

As detailed in the recommendations.

Councillor Thomas introduced the report and explained that Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPOs) were an intervention to prevent individuals, or groups, committing anti-social behaviour in a public space. 

            The current PSPOs would expire on 19^th October 2020. Cabinet had approved commencement of consultation on 14^th July 2020 and this report provided details of the process and outcome of the consultation.

            Councils could make a PSPO after consultation with the Police, the Police and Crime Commissioner and appropriate Community representatives.  They could be enforced by Council officers, Police Officers or Police Community Support Officers.

            Under provisions of the Act, Flintshire’s Alcohol Designated Public Place Order transitional automatically into a PSPO.  This order allowed Police Officers the power to ask members of the public to surrender alcohol if a member of the public was believed to be causing a nuisance in a public place.  This was not a total alcohol ban in public area, and was not applicable to licensed premised, but encouragement of sensible drinking.

            Since the implementation of the dog control PSPO over 1,100 dog walkers had been approached and provided with information and advice on the prohibitions of the Order.  A total of three Fixed Penalty Notices (FPN’s) had been issued for dog fouling and 45 for dogs entering the boundaries of marked sports pitches.  The Council had adopted a high profile approach in order to act as a deterrent and enforcement officers entered into dialogue with dog walkers during their patrols to ensure that they were aware of the PSPOs.  As officers were in uniform it was less likely that dog walkers would not comply with the local rules and it should be noted that a high number of FPNs was not the only measure by which PSPOs should be measured and overall cleanliness of the county and public awareness of the FPN process should also be considered.

            Four representations had been received following the closure of the consultation.  Two comments on the exclusion of dogs on school grounds in relation to Buckley Elfed High School, with a request to walk dogs along pathways that cross that schools grounds.  Following discussions with the Headteacher, it was recommended that the representation should not be considered further.

            The third representation was on the Ornamental Gardens in Mold, requesting that this area be included in the ‘exclusion of dogs’ category.  At present gardens were not included in PSPOs, therefore it was not recommended that this area alone be included at this time.  However, a review could be undertaken of all garden areas to assess an appropriate dog control method to suit the needs of residents.

            The fourth representation concerned the alcohol control PSPO and questioned the enforcement of the PSPO.  Councillor Thomas explained it was about having the PSPO in place so if needed it could be enforced.

            Further representations had been made by Connah’s Quay Angling Club, outlining the problems the club encountered with uncontrolled dogs swimming in the lakes.  Work was being undertaken with Streetscene, Public Protection and Countryside officers to erect a fence as a boundary to create a dog exclusion zone.  

A review of all signage would be undertaken and metal signs would be introduced with the most contentious sites receiving them first. 

            Councillor Bithell welcomed the PSPOs, commenting that it would assist with dealing with people congregating in hot spot areas consuming alcohol, becoming unruly and causing anti-social behaviour to the point where other people then avoided those areas.  The measures introduced three several years ago had helped to tackle those problems and the renewal of the PSPOs would enable continuation of enforcing PSPOs.

            The Chief Officer (Planning, Environment and Economy) said the report had been submitted to Overview and Scrutiny the previous week where it had been well received.  He emphasised the report was not seeking to extend the powers of the order, but to renew it.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the extension of a Public Space Protection Order for dog control with only existing restrictions included be approved;

(b)       That the extension of a Public Space Protection Order for alcohol control be approved; and

(c)        That a review be undertaken of all signage at all sites subject to the Public Space Protection Order arrangements.