Public Space Protection Order Consultation

Closed 6 Oct 2023

Opened 11 Aug 2023

Contact

Victoria

consultations@somerset.gov.uk

Overview

What is a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO)?  

A PSPO is an order that is enforceable under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014. They are used to protect the public from behaviour that is having, or is likely to have, a detrimental effect on the quality of life of those in the locality and is, or is likely to be, persistent and unreasonable.  

What is the Purpose of this Consultation?  

The purpose of the consultation is to seek any views regarding a proposal to reintroduce, for three years, the dog fouling and dog control provisions for the Somerset West area (as designated in map WS/DFLO/001).  

The Public Spaces Protection Order for dogs in the ex-West Somerset area expired in Autumn 2019 and had not been renewed until now.  

Your views are invited as to whether the provisions ought to be reinstated as previously existed, additional restrictions applied or restrictions lifted/amened for 3 years (the maximum permitted) timeframe.  

A copy of the previous Dog Control Orders is available here: 2010, 2012. 

What does the PSPO require or restrict?  

Initial views on the PSPO’s have been sought from the local Town and Parish Councils which have helped draft the new PSPO’s. The new proposed draft PSPO order can be found here.

If you need a paper copy then please call the Council on 0300 123 2224 and we will arrange for one to be posted to you. You can also see a copy of the draft PSPO at the following locations: 

  • West Somerset House, Williton, TA4 4QA 

  • Porlock Community Library, Porlock, Minehead 

  • Minehead Library, Bancks Street, Minehead, TA24 5DJ 

  • Dulverton Library, Fore Street, Dulverton, TA22 9EX 

  • Watchet Community Library, 11 The Esplanade, Watchet, TA23 0AJ 

  • Williton Library, Killick Way, Williton, Taunton, TA4 4QA 

  • Nether Stowey Community Library, Castle Street, Nether Stowey, Bridgwater, TA5 1NE 

In broad terms, the effect of this PSPO is to:  

  • Require every person in charge of a dog to pick up dog faeces after their dog fouls, and properly dispose of it – this applies to all public places to which the public have access (including all public parks, pavements, footpaths etc).  

  • Prohibit any person from taking their dog in to any enclosed children’s play area or any enclosed sports facility.  

  • Enable a police officer or other authorised person to direct a person in charge of a dog to put the dog on a lead if restraint is considered reasonably necessary (for the purposes of preventing nuisance or behaviour by the dog that is likely to cause annoyance or disturbance to any other person, or to a bird or another animal).  

These provisions are subject to some exemptions, for example applicable to people with certain disabilities and in respect of assistance dogs. There are also general defences of having ‘reasonable excuse’ and/or having the permission of the owner / occupier of the land where applicable.