Cheshire West and Chester Council Control of Dogs Orders Review

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​Closing date: 28 April 2018

Background

In October 2014 the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 (the Act) introduced new powers relevant to tackling anti-social behaviour. In addition, the Act made changes to existing legislation and councils were required to review existing Orders (made under previous legislation) and replace them with Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs). PSPOs can be used to regulate activities in particular public places that can have a detrimental effect on the local community. They can help by giving local councils and local police additional powers to tackle anti-social behaviour in specific locations.

On 20 October 2017 Cheshire West and Chester Council transferred the borough-wide Dog Fouling Order into a PSPO and decided that it should remain in force for a maximum of three years. Before the expiry of this 3 year period, the Order must be reviewed again. At the same, the borough’s other dog control orders were allowed to transfer into PSPOs for a period of 12 months, during which time a wide-ranging consultation and review must be carried out. Consequently, the Chester City Dog Control Orders were transferred into PSPOs for a period of 12 months. The former Vale Royal Council and Ellesmere Port and Neston Council areas are still covered by Byelaws which were not affected by the change in legislation detailed above, but it is appropriate that the council carries out a review of all dog control measures at the same time.

The current situation in each area is:

Chester

Dog Exclusion Zones exist on named and mapped sites – all of which are enclosed children’s play areas. Dogs on leads zones exist on named and mapped sites – which tend to be larger shared public space areas e.g. playing fields.

Ellesmere Port and Neston

An Ellesmere Port and Neston Byelaw is still in existence and creates two dog exclusion zones – the enclosed children’s play areas in Stanney Woods and Whitby Park. There are also a number of named sites where dogs must be under control and greyhounds must be muzzled and on a lead. The Byelaw in relation to dogs other than greyhounds needing to be under control is now irrelevant as the legislation has been superseded by the Dangerous Dogs Act and is primarily a police function.

Vale Royal

A Vale Royal Byelaw is in existence but is practically unenforceable as the original legislation is missing. The byelaw created 11 named sites where dogs were banned – all of these being children’s play areas. There are also 28 named sites where dogs were required to be on a lead and a further seven sites where dogs should be on leads by request – presumably by the request of an authorised officer.

Reasons for change

There have been many changes and improvements to our greenspaces since the original Chester City Council dog control orders and the Vale Royal and Ellesmere Port and Neston byelaws were introduced. There are now a number of new parks and play areas and many examples where the landscape of an area has changed and the old legislation provisions are no longer practically enforceable.
Note – For any proposals that are approved and where a location becomes the subject of a PSPO, signs will be clearly displayed in sufficient numbers in the immediate area describing the restrictions and the consequences if restrictions are ignored.

How to share your views

The 12 week consultation period closes on 28 April 2018. There is a range of ways to express your views.

Please note that you need to be aged 16 or over to take part in this survey.

You can complete the survey online or by printing off the questionnaire and posting it back to us. If you would like a paper questionnaire sending to you, then please contact us.

Other ways to take part

How your views will be used

The outcome of the public consultation will be considered by Cabinet in Autumn 2018.

Other ways of accessing information

Council information is also available in audio, braille, large print or other formats. If you would like a copy in a different format, in another language or require a British sign language (BSL) interpreter:

Please note

We welcome views from all sections of the community and would encourage everyone to take part in this consultation. Note that the Council has a responsibility to make sure that its services are available to all, regardless of race, colour, nationality, ethnic origin, gender, age, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, religion or belief or gender identity. Comments that are offensive to particular groups or considered inappropriate under the Equality Act 2010 will not be considered or published as part of this consultation.