The Corporate Director for Communities presented a report seeking Cabinet approval to consult with the Police, the Police and Crime Commissioner and other relevant bodies in relation to the creation of a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) relating to Dog Control in Bridgend County and for Cabinet to note that the outcome of the consultation would be reported to Cabinet in due course.

The Corporate Director for Communities provided the background to the proposal and explained that the previous PSPO in Bridgend County Borough relating to the control of alcohol, restriction of access to public space and dog control expired on 18 June 2022. Before the Council could make, extend or vary a PSPO there was a procedure set down by statute that a Local Authority must carry out the necessary consultation, the necessary publication and the necessary notification. The specific consultees and details of the online survey were outlined in the report. The statutory consultation would commence in early April 2023 and continue for 12 weeks.

The Cabinet Member for Communities asked if the outcome of the consultation could be reported back to Cabinet as soon as possible so that it could take effect from the latter part of the summer. He asked what the fixed penalty notice was and asked that the amount be made clear in the consultation. The Corporate Director for Communities replied that dogs were prohibited on some beaches in the summer months and the fixed penalty notice that could be issued would be for £100.

The Deputy Leader asked if residents could send in video footage for officers to issue fixed penalty notices. The Corporate Director for Communities replied that she had to seek legal advice on this. There had been incidents where evidence had been sent in and they had to clearly define the individuals involved to allow them to take action and it depended on how clear the video evidence was.

The Leader asked about the definition of public space and in particular the status of parks and playing fields transferred via the CAT process and those managed by the authority and if this would apply to nature reserves and common land. The Corporate Director for Communities replied that this would apply to any publicly accessible space where someone could go with their animal and therefore it would apply to these spaces.

The Cabinet Member for Regeneration asked if this would apply to land that had been subject to a CAT transfer that was locked in the evening. The Corporate Director for Communities replied that it would apply during the day when it was open.

RESOLVED:       Cabinet gave approval to commence a public consultation on the proposal to create a Public Space Protection Order as outlined in paragraph 4.3 of this report and Cabinet noted that the outcome of the consultation would be

reported to Cabinet in due course.