URL: https://stroud.moderngov.co.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=361

Decision Maker: Environment Committee

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Purpose: Approve consultation for Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs). The Council is required to renew up to every 3 years, as part of the renewal process a consultation should take place. Where there is no consultation the relevant PSPO will expire.

Content: The Head of Environmental Health introduced the report. She explained that the report sought to extend the four Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs) made under antisocial behaviour legislation aiming to promote responsible dog ownership and provide the Council with an enforcement tool if required. The orders were due to expire in October 2026 and Officers sought permission to undertake the necessary consultation to extend the orders, before bringing a final report to Committee in September 2026 for an informed decision on the orders.   Councillor Dutton asked if the consultation would include information on why the orders were in place and ask residents about positive alternatives to enforcement that the Council could employ such as signage or Dog Ambassadors. The Head of Environmental Health welcomed the suggestion and explained that whilst the statutory consultation was straightforward and legal, there was scope to consult with residents on preventative rather than punitive approaches.   In response to Councillor Caton Hughes, the Head of Environmental Health explained that the PSPOs would not apply to private land, but signage would be legislated in areas where they were in place. She indicated the consultation could inform the types of signage that would be beneficial and welcomed a review of the signage beyond the statutory requirements.   In response to Councillor Thomas, the Head of Environmental Health explained the following: Consultees would be sought through the networks of the Animal Welfare team and include statutory consultees such as the police. They would be using the Council’s adopted Consultation and Engagement Framework which set out recommended consultees, and the more widespread it could be among community groups the more beneficial it would prove, The PSPOs required dogs to be controlled, and depending on the consultation responses the nuance between controlled dogs on and off leads could be addressed, Enforcement of the orders and Officer capacity to do so would be considered internally alongside the consultation.   Councillor Dutton asked if there had been consideration given to fencing off specified areas of public spaces for dogs. The Head of Environmental Health explained that whilst there were private dog parks there was no Council facility to provide them, and it could come with considerable risk to the Council. As part of publishing the new orders, it would be made clear where dogs could be taken.   In response to Councillor Pearcy, the Head of Environmental Health explained that: The subsequent Committee report would be clear about the enforcement approaches that would work and indications of enforcement priorities, The Animal Welfare team were well networked amongst animal groups and vet surgeries which would be used to help promote the consultation.   Councillor Thomas proposed, and Councillor Dutton seconded.   Councillor Dutton welcomed the clarity for residents around the PSPOs and hoped that the consultation would receive a lot of responses.   Councillor Watson noted that positive reinforcement was often more effective than the threat of penalties. She hoped that the consultation responses encouraged positive signage and messaging.   Councillor Thomas thanked Officers for their work and welcomed the consultation as she understood there would be strong public opinion.   On being put to a vote, the motion was passed unanimously.   RESOLVED to: a)    Support the proposal for the extension of four of the existing Public Spaces Protection Orders relating to dog control for a further period of 3 years from 18th October 2026; and b)    Approve Officers to undertake the necessary consultation in respect of the proposal prior to a final report to be submitted to the Committee for consideration post-consultation.  

Date of Decision: June 11, 2026