Issue - meetings

Wellbeing Portfolio

To consider the joint report HCS/30 of the Head of Community Services and the Petitions Officer, which was referred to the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Commission held on 6 September 2021.

RESOLVED

That the Cabinet requests that Officers bring a further report back for its consideration, which provides more detail with regards to the potential implementation of Option 3 referred to within the report HCS/30.

In order for Cabinet to make an informed decision, the requested report should provide information on Option 3, the possible changes to service delivery and personnel, expected financial implications and any legal aspects. This should include details on the use of bye-laws and the installation of a PSPO together with the associated statutory consultation requirements.

Reasons for the Recommendations

To ensure the procedure for petitions as detailed in the Council’s Constitution is adhered to.

To ensure that Cabinet are making a fully informed decision on the subject on the petition.

The Cabinet Member for Wellbeing presented joint report HCS/30 of the Head of Community Services and the Petitions Officer.

The report responded to the petition submitted from residents titled ‘Keep your dog on a lead in Tilgate Park.’ The petition documented the concerns and wished the council to increase signage and warden patrol around Tilgate lake to ensure dogs were kept on leads while walking around the lake and to implement the enforcement of rules when this was not adhered to:

“We the undersigned petition the council to Increase signage and warden patrol around Tilgate lake to ensure dogs are kept on leads while walking around the lake. To implement enforcement of rules are not adhered too. My dog was attacked while walking around the lake by a dog that was not kept on its lead. The rules are clear on the website, however there isn’t sufficient signage and enforcement of rules for dog owners not adhering to the rules. Therefore increased presence of signage, policing and enforcement is required”

The principal petitioner was invited to address the Cabinet on their petition but declined the opportunity.

The report also outlined the research that had been undertaken following receipt of the petition along with the key areas for consideration.

Councillor Mullins, as Cabinet Member for Wellbeing, expressed his empathy for those that had signed the petition, as he was aware of the problem that the petition was highlighting, and he acknowledged that the Commission had held a good debate on the petition. He commented that the Commission had considered the options within the report and as shown in the Commission’s comment sheet before the Cabinet, they supported option 2, but Councillor Mullins stated he was more than happy to put forward the stronger approach of option 3.

Councillor Khan read out report OSC/296  the O­verview and Scrutiny Commission’s comments on the report to the Cabinet following consideration of the matter at its meeting on 6 September 2021, which included:

·         Acknowledged that the issue of dogs off leads attacking other dogs, people and other types of wildlife was not solely a Tilgate lake issues and such attacks had occurred across the Borough.

·         That the Commission preferred option 2 as it was a stronger approach that the current method.

·         They also felt that option 3, may be heavily resource intensive without resulting in behavioural change and minimum reward in comparison.   

Councillor Crow was invited to speak on the item and commented he had first hand experience through a family member being attacked by an unleashed dog whilst they ran around Tilgate lake. He commented it was a difficult choice and wished Cabinet well in tackling this tricky matter.

The Cabinet held a long debate comparing the stronger approach of option 3 compared to opting for option 2, including the difference in cost against the likely outcomes, impact of the options on the Community Wardens and other Council services, how a PSPO could be used and where it should cover, the expectations  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6

To consider the joint report HCS/30 of the Head of Community Services and the Petitions Officer.

The Commission considered joint report HCS/30 of the Head of Community Services and Petitions Officer.

The report responded to the petition submitted from residents titled ‘Keep your dog on a lead in Tilgate Park. The petition documented the concerns and wished the council to increase signage and warden patrol around Tilgate lake to ensure dogs were kept on leads while walking around the lake and to implement the enforcement of rules when this was not adhered to:

“We the undersigned petition the council to Increase signage and warden patrol around Tilgate lake to ensure dogs are kept on leads while walking around the lake. To implement enforcement of rules are not adhered too. My dog was attacked while walking around the lake by a dog that was not kept on its lead. The rules are clear on the website, however there isn’t sufficient signage and enforcement of rules for dog owners not adhering to the rules. Therefore increased presence of signage, policing and enforcement is required”

Members were informed of the key areas for consideration and recommendation within report HCS/30. The report outlined the research that had been undertaken following receipt of the petition. Members considered this and the additional information.

During the discussion with the Cabinet Member for Wellbeing, the Head of Community Services and Neighbourhood Services Manager, Members made the following comments:

·         It was acknowledged that the petition referred to Tilgate Park only, however it was hoped Tilgate Park could be a trial for other parks as it was not a problem confined just to one particular area within the town, as the recent dog on dog attacks in Worth Park (which unfortunately resulted in a death of a dog) and that along Worth Way were also mentioned. 

·         It was felt it was the responsibility of dog owners to keep their dog on a lead and to ensure it was kept under control. Acknowledgement that dogs react differently in various environments and being on a lead would be one option to assist this.

·         Dogs were not allowed in the walled garden, nature centre or children’s play area within Tilgate Park. The walled garden and nature centre were routinely staffed making this easier to manage and in general it was felt that the public largely complied with and respected the need to keep dogs out of the play area.

·         Disappointment was expressed that the current signage within Tilgate Park had not been successful and the vandalism of signs unacceptable.

·         There was acknowledgement that the enforcement options detailed in the report included by-laws, PSPOs and CPNs when officers and the police would have to actually witness the infringement and obtain sufficient evidence.  These enforcement options differed to the current Community Warden patrols, which provided a visible presence challenging and encouraging owners of dogs off leads.  It was noted that the park covered a huge area and it was felt by some that patrols should take place around the entire park, not just the lake.

·         Recognition that as part  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4