Decision details

To address the issue of dog fouling within the Borough, which the Executive Leader raised as an issue in need of attention at the meeting of the Council in February 2015. Authorisation is sought to undertake a communications campaign to raise awareness, and for a formal consultation on the making of a Public Spaces Protection Order, in accordance with the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.

The Executive Leader of the Council raised dog fouling within the Borough as one of a number of issues in need of attention in his presentation at the meeting of the Council in February 2015. In response it is proposed that a campaign be undertaken to raise awareness of the issue and encourage residents to report dog fouling.

Fareham Borough Council currently relies upon a byelaw to prosecute people who do not clear up after their dog has fouled. Prosecution is however intended to be “last resort” enforcement measure, is expensive and not always in the public interest. Authorised officers were previously able to issue Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) for this offence under the Dogs (Fouling of Land) Act 1996. The Act has now been repealed, along with the ability to introduce Dog Control Orders, which means that FPNs can no longer be issued without a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) being in place. Authorisation is sought to undertake a public consultation to allow a PSPO to be put in place across the Borough.

RESOLVED that the Executive agrees:

(a)       that a consultation exercise be run between 16 November 2015 and 11 January 2016 on a draft Public Spaces Protection Order, in accordance with section 72 of the Anti-Social Behaviour Crime Policing Act 2014;

(b)       to a communications campaign to raise awareness of dog fouling issues; and

(c)       an increase of the Fixed Penalty Notice fine for not clearing up after a dog has fouled from £75 to £100.