Public Spaces Protection Order Consultation: ownership of dogs and prohibition of smoking in certain places.

Overview

West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) is considering whether to make a new Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) to promote responsible dog ownership and prohibit smoking in certain public spaces across the former administrative council areas of Daventry District and South Northants.

A PSPO allows councils to impose restrictions on the use of specific areas. A PSPO can deal with persistent and unreasonable nuisances and anti-social behaviour that has a detrimental effect on the quality of life for the local community in a particular area. They intend to help ensure that the public can use and enjoy public spaces and can help to make West Northamptonshire a better and safer place to live.

The feedback that you provide will be used to inform any potential restrictions that could be contained in the new PSPO.

A PSPO, for dog related matters, does operate in the former administration council area of Northampton Borough which expires on 18th September 2023.

What's the problem?

In 2021, the WNC  received more than 230 complaints about dog fouling and dog control issues and, whilst the majority of dog owners are caring, responsible individuals, there are still some who are irresponsible.

Effective implementation and enforcement of dog control prohibitions and requirements via PSPOs have historically reduced dog related issues.

Dog mess is the most unacceptable and offensive type of litter on our streets. Whilst WNC receives many dog fouling complaints each year, it believes that the true number of incidents is far greater than the number reported.

Dog fouling is not only deeply unpleasant but also dangerous. Whilst rare, contact with dog excrement can cause toxocariasis, a nasty infection that can lead to dizziness, nausea, asthma and even blindness and seizures.

WNC is keen to take measures to combat these problems and is proposing to use powers contained in the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 Act ("the Act") to give its enforcement officers powers to deal with dog owners who fail to properly control their dogs in public open spaces across the former Daventry and South Northants District areas.

The consultation process

Legally, we must have evidence to show the need for the Order. The activities controlled by the PSPO need to have had, or be likely to have, an unreasonable and detrimental effect on the quality of life of those in the locality and are, or are likely to be, persistent and continuing in nature.

The feedback we receive during this consultation can form part of the evidence we need to draft and implement a new PSPO for the former Daventry and South Northants district areas.

Any PSPO made following this public consultation exercise will be reviewed in 2023.

The former Northampton Borough Council, dog related, PSPO expires on 18th September 2023 and a PSPO covering the entire WNC area is likely to be considered.

How to share your views

We are keen to hear from the local community. We are inviting you to read the background to the consultation and complete an online consultation questionnaire.

If you have any queries, comments or would like a copy of this questionnaire in another format (including paper, easy read or large print) you can contact us by email or telephone. Our contact details are as follows:

Email address: environmentalimprovement.ddc@westnorthants.gov.uk

Telephone: 01327 302260 

The consultation will close at midnight on Monday 4 April 2022.

Your opinion is very important to us, so if you would like to have your say, please follow the link below to the online survey.