Following the publication of the much anticipated Dog Control Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) Consultation results, Janet Finch-Saunders, Assembly Member for Aberconwy, has reacted to the responses by highlighting the fact that the consultation questions did not focus on what countless visitors and residents had been and are still calling for.
The Member’s analysis of the responses can be seen in the notes below.
Responding to these results, Janet said:
“It has taken great effort from many members of the public and I to get Conwy County Borough Council to run this long overdue consultation on the Dog Control Orders which became a single Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) on 20th October 2017.
“The strength of feeling about the matter is clear from the numerous public meetings, demonstrations, and articles which we have seen over the last few years. It follows that I welcome the fact that were 352 respondents to the consultation, but am left wondering whether there might have been more had the consultation been open for longer than a month.
“From the data which has been extracted from the responses, whilst it seems clear that there is support for numerous aspects of the orders, such as maintaining the current dog fouling controls, lead controls, and increasing FPNs to £100, the devil is in the detail.
“The Consultation questions didn’t focus on what I and numerous visitors and constituents had been calling for – more reasonable enforcement. As such, when looking beyond the data to the actual comments made, the ‘K’ word has cropped up. Indeed, 12% of consultees noted their opposition to the Council’s use of Kingdom, or negatively referenced the organisation.
“Additionally, requests are noted for clearer signage, more bins or more information – all things which could have been more clearly consulted on, but that I hope will be acted on going forward.
“Finally, we cannot overlook the fact that more respondents were strongly against the proposed changes to the Exclusion Zones on Conwy beaches than in support. As such, it seems that the boundary amendments for Llandudno North Shore beach, Craig-y-Don paddling pool, Penmaenmawr Beach and others should be dropped.
“Undoubtedly, there is a feeling that the questions posed avoided the real crux of the issues here in Conwy. However, I am pleased that a number of consultees have found a way to make their point, and as such expect these to be considered in the forthcoming scrutiny meeting at the Council where it will be decided whether existing contractual arrangements will be renewed”.
ENDS
Notes
Analysis of the responses:
1 in 5 Conwy households own a dog
- 70% of respondents own a dog
- 93% of respondents reside in Conwy County with 7% being visitors to the area.
- The breakdown of the 352 response were as follows: an interested member of the public – 289; a local landowner – 14; a representative of a Community Group – 7; a county Councillor, AM or MP – 5; a member of a Town Council – 4; other – 31; prefer not to say – 2
- Support for maintaining the current dog fouling controls: In support – 70%; Partial support – 18%; Against – 10%; No opinion on the matter – 2%.
- Support for a new control requiring a person in charge of a dog to produce an appropriate means to pick up dog faeces when asked by an authorised officer: In support – 67%; Against – 22%; Partial Support – 10%; No opinion on the matter 1%.
- Support for the proposed changes to the Exclusion Zones on Conwy Beaches: 48% - against; 36% - support; 13% - partial support; 3% - no opinion.
- Support for maintaining the current controls with regard to dogs on Leads: 26% - against; 48% - support; 23% - partial support; 3% - no opinion.
- Support for maintaining the current controls with regard to dogs on leads by direction: 21% - against; 53% - support; 20 -partial support; 6% - no opinion.
- Support for the proposed changes to Fixed Penalty amounts, raising all dog control offences to the current £100 penalty for dog fouling: 32% - against; 56% - in support; 8% - partial support; 4% - no opinion.
Dog Control Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) Consultation
Dog Control Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) Consultation (closed 23/02/2018)