Issue - meetings

To consider the report.

Following consideration of the officer report, appendices, discussion and an amendment, the Executive agreed:

a.     The adoption and Implementation of the ‘Public Space Protection Order (Dog Control – North Somerset) 2024’ for dog fouling relating to the Somerset North area for dog fouling, dogs on lead by order, gods on leads and exclusion of dogs relating to the Somerset North area, in Appendix A of the report.

b.     The adoption and implementation of the ‘Public Space Protection Order (Dog Control – West Somerset) 2024’ for dog fouling, dogs on lead by order, dogs on leads and exclusion of dogs relating to the Somerset West area, in Amended Appendix B (to reinstate the dog exclusion area in Millenium Rose Garden, Minehead).

The Leader of the Council, Cllr Bill Revans, invited the Lead Member for Communities, Housing and Culture, Cllr Federica Smith-Roberts, to introduce the report.

The Lead Member for Communities, Housing and Culture, Cllr Federica Smith-Roberts, introduced the report, highlighting that the report sought approval for public spaces Protection Orders for dog control in Somerset North and Somerset West including areas where dogs are to be kept on lead where dogs or to be put on lead by order where dogs are to be prohibited and dog fouling. The Lead Member further summarised the consultation process responses; and highlighted

the revised Appendix B and proposed amended report recommendation.

The Leader of the Council, Cllr Bill Revans, invited comments from other Members present, questions and points raised included: the environmental impact; the Covid pandemic impact and the increase in dog ownership and antisocial dog behaviour; the environmental and economic impacts; the large amount of public interest and public engagement and compromise as a listening Council; adequate provision of dog waste bins; the work on consistent signage across the North and the West areas; clarity of the map line for Land (Dog Exclusion) designated by description for Minehead Beach from Golf Club Groyne to Jubilee Café steps; and suggestions and considerations for the next review point.

The Local Members for Minehead Division, Cllr Mandy Chilcott and Cllr Andy Hadley commented on the welcome opportunity for everyone to have space and enjoy Minehead beach and expressed thanks to officers for their work on the consultation process and proposals to consider.

Having been proposed by Cllr Federica Smith-Roberts and seconded by Cllr Sarah Wakefield the Executive agreed to the following addition to recommendation ‘b’:

‘in amended Appendix B (to reinstate the dog exclusion area in Millenium Rose Garden, Minehead)’.

The Executive proceeded to vote on the recommendations, which were agreed unanimously.??? ?

Following consideration of the officer report, appendices, discussion and an amendment, the Executive agreed:

a.         The adoption and Implementation of the ‘Public Space Protection Order (Dog Control – North Somerset) 2024’ for dog fouling relating to the Somerset North area for dog fouling, dogs on lead by order, gods on leads and exclusion of dogs relating to the Somerset North area, in Appendix A of the report.

b.         The adoption and implementation of the ‘Public Space Protection Order (Dog Control – West Somerset) 2024’ for dog fouling, dogs on lead by order, dogs on leads and exclusion of dogs relating to the Somerset West area, in Amended Appendix B (to reinstate the dog exclusion area in Millenium Rose Garden, Minehead).

ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED: As set out in the officer report.?? ? 

REASON FOR DECISION: As set out in the officer report.?