Agenda item

Report of the Superintendent.

Members were informed that Burnham Beeches agreed a voluntary “Dog Walkers code? with its local dog walking community in 2006. A review of the number of

dog related incidents since that date revealed that they had not decreased.

Work to develop proposals to introduce Dog Control Orders (DCOs) at Burnham Beeches, based upon guidance provided by the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, received Committee approval in September 2012.

The Home Office had recently advised that the power to make Dog Control Orders was expected to cease on 20th October 2014 when the relevant provisions of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 (ABC&P) come into force. Any Orders introduced after that date would be Public Space Protections Orders.

Formal public consultation on the DCO proposals had recently concluded with the majority of responses received from dog walkers.

A good level of support was received for the introduction of Schedules 1, 4 and 5. Schedules 2 and 3 received less support. Member decisions are now sought on a range of options using the powers provided under Secondary Authority status.

The Chairman informed Members that Deputy Deane was unable to attend the meeting but had submitted a written statement supporting rejection of the report recommendations.

In response to a query the Chairman clarified that these Dog Control Orders were to be introduced at the Burnham Beeches site only and would not form the basis for a pilot at any other City Corporation Open Space. Members agreed that it would be inappropriate to use this report or the recommendations in relation to any other site.

Schedule 1. Pick up dog faeces

Members agreed that staff at Burnham Beeches should not have to pick up after people’s dogs regardless of whether it was in a bag or not. Officers confirmed that there were a number of bins around the site which were regularly emptied.

Schedule 2. Dogs on leads at all times

Members said the areas where dogs could run freely and areas where they must be kept on a lead had been mapped out very careful by Officers. 220 acres of land could still be used by dogs off leads and the topology of each area was very similar. Officers informed Members that the introduction of Schedule 2 was fully supported by the Burnham Beeches Consultation Group.

Schedule 3. Dogs on leads where requested

Members noted that Officers had experience of issuing fixed penalty notices following the introduction of parking fees at Burnham Beeches.  Officers said an educational approach would be taken when dealing with offenders. Members noted that the issue of enforcement would be dealt with the Committee at the November meeting.

Schedule 4. Dog exclusion zones

Members agreed that the introduction of exclusion zones was a sensible way forward.

Schedule 5. Maximum number of dogs per responsible person

Members discussed the number of dogs per person, and agreed that this was not an exact science as the size and behaviour of each dog would vary. Therefore, Members agreed that 4 should be the maximum number of dogs per person.

Members suggested that if Dog Control Orders were to be introduced at Burnham Beeches it would be beneficial for the Committee to receive an update from the Superintendent in July 2016 and a full review from the Superintendent in January 2017. Officers always agreed to provide information relating to Dog Control Orders in their Annual Review of Dog Related Incidents. Officers informed Members that there was no statutory requirement to review the Dog Control Orders and that they did not have a lifespan, but automatically became Public Protection Orders after 3 years of implementation.

Resolved: Member approved the following:-

Schedule 1. Pick up dog faeces.

A. Resolve to make The Fouling of Land by Dogs (Burnham Beeches) Order 2014, to be applied as proposed, across the whole site.

Schedule 2.Dogs on leads at all times.

A. Resolve to make The Dogs on Leads (Burnham Beeches) Order 2014 to be applied as proposed.

Schedule 3. Dogs on leads where requested.

A. Resolve to make The Dogs on Leads by Direction (Burnham Beeches) Order 2014 to be applied as proposed.

Schedule 4.Dog exclusion zones.

A. Resolve to make The Dogs Exclusion (Burnham Beeches) Order 2014 as proposed. Dogs would be excluded from the area around the café, as currently applied using the existing voluntary agreement.

Schedule 5.Maximum number of dogs per responsible person.

A. Resolve to make The Dogs (Specified Maximum) (Burnham Beeches) Order 2014 as proposed.

Further recommendations

i. Members agreed that the Dog Control Orders should come into effect on 1

December 2014.

ii. A further report would be submitted to this committee in November 2014 seeking approval for the Dog Management Strategy and associated authorisations relating to enforcement.

iii. Members approved the principle of site improvements.

iv. Members approved the principle of the appointment of a suitable candidate from the dog walking community to the Burnham Beeches Consultation Group. The Group would be consulted on who they would benefit from including.

v. Members resolved that the Committee would receive an update from the Superintendent in July 2016 and a full review from the Superintendent in January 2017.