Hucknall: Public Spaces Protection Order to combat anti-social behaviour and dog fouling set to be extended

The Ashfield District Council Cabinet are recommending that the proposed Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) should be extended for the next three years at the next Full Council on Thursday 23 September. This announcement follows a six-week public consultation period.

The current PSPO that covers eight areas across Ashfield, including town centres and parks, expires on 30 September 2021. The PSPO prohibits behaviours such as street drinking and dog fouling and allows Community Protection Officers to issue Fixed Penalty Notices (FPN) to anyone who breaches the order.

The Council undertook the public consultation during July and August to gather the views of residents and partner agencies. 98.4% of residents who answered the survey agreed that people who leave their dog foul behind should be fined, whilst 97% agreed that the Council should be able to confiscate alcohol from street drinkers. 94% agreed that dogs should be banned from entering enclosed children's play areas or sporting areas and that owners should be fined if they don't comply.

In total the survey received 128 responses from residents with all ten of the proposed restrictions receiving at least 87% responses in support.

The proposed order includes restrictions on:

• Alcohol consumption in a designated area
• Urinating/defecating within a designated area
• Dog fouling in specified areas
• Failing to produce device or other means of removing dog faeces

on demand

• Failing to put dogs on lead by direction
• Walking more than six dogs at a time
• Dog exclusion in specified areas such as enclosed children's play

areas and sports areas

• Dogs on leads in specified areas such as town centres
• Failing to comply with a Direction to Move on

Cllr Helen Ann Smith, Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Crime Reduction, said: "It is fantastic to see how much support the proposed PSPO has received. We always listen to the opinions and thoughts of our residents, so we are pleased that they see the value of the PSPO. The current PSPO has been an incredibly effective tool to help us combat anti-social behaviour across our town centres.

"We have listened to residents' views and comments and we will be actioning them. One of the things that residents told us was that they wanted to see more clear signage so we will be installing brand new signs explaining the PSPO across the District. It is really important that we are able to consult with and listen to residents before we make decisions that impact them."