Decisions

To consider the proposed Blackpool Borough Council (Dog Control and Dog Fouling) Public Space Protection Order 2018, which has been formulated following a comprehensive public consultation exercise, which included the following proposals:

• Dogs on leads – increasing the current number of dogs on leads areas to include Fishers Field, Promenade Middle Walk, Cabin Walk, Starr Gate Tram Circle and South Promenade Grass Embankment;
• Dog exclusion areas – in addition to the current exclusion, to include marked-out sports pitches at all times whether in use or not;
• Number of dogs walked – limit the maximum number of dogs exercised by one person to four, with only two off a lead at any one time;
• Means to pick-up – that a dog walker/owner must be able to provide the means to pick up their dog’s faeces at the request of an authorised officer;
• Dogs on leads by request – to continue with current powers that exist;
• Microchipping – to disallow non-microchipped dogs from being exercised off-lead in any public space, with a fixed penalty notice of £100 for non- compliance.

A question was also included in relation to the minimum age a child or young person should be able to walk a dog.

To consider whether to continue dialogue with interested parties, as a result of positive discussions and commitment from all sides to make Blackpool a more dog friendly town. (See 5.19).

The Cabinet Member agreed the recommendations as outlined above namely:

1. To approve the Public Space Protection Order Dog Control and Dog Fouling 2018 at Appendix ‘A’ for a period of three years starting from 1st December 2018.

2. To delegate to the Head of Legal Services to seal and advertise the Order.

3. In relation to the specific proposals:

•          Dogs on Leads – increasing current number of dogs on leads areas to include:

-           Fishers Field – to agree not to include. (See 5.18.2)

-           Promenade Middle Walk – to agree as it is classed as a service road;

-           Cabin Walk (Cliff top foot walk from Uncle Tom’s Cabin to Little Bispham)– to agree not to include and instead to be designated Dogs on Lead by request;

-           Starr Gate tram circle – to agree as result of proximity to tram track;

-           South Promenade Grass Embankment– to agree as adjacent to tram track.

•          Dog Exclusion areas – to agree not to change current dog exclusion areas and not include marked out sports pitches, which will remain dog exclusion areas when in use. (See 5.18.2)

•          Number of Dogs Walked – to agree not to progress this proposal. (See 5.18.1)

•          Means to Pick-Up – to agree that an authorised officer will have the powers to challenge dog walkers as to whether they have a means to pick-up their dogs faeces, or not.  The aim is for this to be intelligence led from individuals, Dog Interest Group or Friends of Parks.  (See 5.17.5)

•          Dogs on Leads by request – to agree to continue with the existing order, which allows authorised officers to request a dog be put on a lead. (See 5.17.4)

•          Microchipping – to agree not to progress with this proposal. (See 5.18.3)

To not implement any restriction regarding the age of which a child or young person should be permitted to walk a dog, while noting that this may be revisited in the future (See 5.18.4).

4. To not implement any restriction regarding the age of which a child or young person should be permitted to walk a dog, while noting that this may be revisited in the future (See 5.18.4).

5. To agree to form a group that meets regularly, which includes representatives of the Dog Interest Group and other interested parties, with the following key areas of work to consider:

•          To review grazing land within the Borough to see if any areas can be opened up for use by dog walkers;

•          To work with the Dog Wardens in order to consider greater education in terms of managing and owning a dog;

•          To consider a campaign and ways to promote Blackpool as a dog friendly resort;

•          To support the Council in helping to identify irresponsible dog owners, to facilitate the enforcement and encouraging a wider audience to provide intelligence.

•          To review current provision and facilities related to dog walking and potential enhancements that can be considered, e.g. Signage/bins.

To seek the approval of the supplier to provide an extension to Central Vehicle Maintenance Unit - Including installation of an Inspection Pit.

To approve Warden Construction Ltd as the supplier to provide an extension to Central Vehicle Maintenance Unit - including installation of an Inspection Pit.

The Head of Licensing Service deals with a number of requests for licences under the Licensing Act, the Gambling Act and other pieces of legislations. Details of the licences, applied for and granted are outlined in the report.

The Head of Licensing Service agreed to grant the licences as set out in the attached Appendices.

To seek to approve Konica Minolta Business Solutions (UK) Limited as the Council’s supplier of Multi-Functional Devices (MFDs) and Print Management Services.

To approve Konica Minolta Business Solutions (UK) Limited as the Council’s supplier of Multi-Functional Devices and Print Management Services for a period of 3 years starting from 15 October 2018, with an option to extend for a further period of 1 + 1 years.

The Executive agreed the recommendations as outlined above namely:

1. To note the report.  

2. To continue to lobby Government (HM Treasury, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and the Department for Education in particular) along with local authority peers, the Local Government Association and the Association of Directors of Children’s Services for more funding to cope with the mounting demand and new burdens presenting in Children’s Services.

3.      To require the respective directors and Director of Resources to continue to closely monitor and manage service financial and operational performances, specifically Children’s Services, Strategic Leisure Assets and Parking Services

The Executive agreed the recommendations as outlined above namely:

1. To approve the amended Public Space Protection Order for the Town Centre attached at Appendix 2b, to the Executive report, for a period of three years starting from the 10 November 2018.

2.  To delegate to the Head of Legal to seal and advertise the Order.

The Council's delegated budgets scheme allocates budgets of £15,000 to each Ward covered for the financial year 2018/2019. The funding for this scheme can be spent on supplementing funding public services, for the benefit of the local community.

Councillors I Taylor and L Williams of Claremont Ward have requested £1,590 as funding to the Illuminations Department for the purchase and installation of a large Christmas Tree with led/festoon lighting. 

Councillors Benson and Mitchell of Layton Ward have requested £2,000 as funding to Layton Community House towards the maintenance, running costs and staffing costs for the community centre.

Councillors Campbell and Kirkland of Park Ward have requested £2,080 as funding to Horan Shukokai Centre towards venue hire for the centre at Boundary Primary School and for security costs at Boundary Primary School.

Councillors Collett and Matthews of Tyldesley Ward have requested £440 as funding to the Environmental Services Department for the purchase and installation of a new mixed waste bin at the junction of Grasmere Road and Bloomfield Road.

The Leader of the Council agreed the recommendation as outlined above namely:

To authorise the requests, as submitted.

The Head of Licensing Service deals with a number of requests for licences under the Licensing Act, the Gambling Act and other pieces of legislations. Details of the licences, applied for and granted are outlined in the report.

The Head of Licensing Service agreed to grant the licences as set out in the attached Appendices.

The Council's delegated budgets scheme allocates budgets of £15,000 to each Ward covered for the financial year 2018/2019. The funding for this scheme can be spent on supplementing funding public services, for the benefit of the local community.

Councillors Hutton and L Taylor of Clifton Ward have requested £1,000 as funding to the Shed Men Group to provide support and activities for men suffering from isolation and mental health issues.

Councillors D Coleman and Critchley of Hawes Side Ward have requested £50 as funding to the Street Cleansing Department for the clearing of fly tipped debris and weeds from the unadopted alleyway to the rear of Fairway Road.

Councillor Mrs Henderson MBE and Hunter of Highfield Ward have requested £800 as funding to the Highfield Community Group towards a children’s Christmas Party, Bingo Sessions and group excursions.

Councillors Benson and Mitchell of Layton Ward have requested £1,140 as part funding to the Illuminations Department for the purchase and installation of a large Christmas Tree with led/festoon lighting.  Layton Traders will be donating the other £450 required for the full cost of the tree.

Councillors Elmes and Singleton of Marton Ward have requested £4,000 as funding to the Parks Service to support the Volunteer Ranger Service on Marton Mere and surrounding ecological sites in Marton Ward.

Councillors Mrs Callow and P Callow of Norbreck Ward have requested:

(i)£1,790 as funding to the Illuminations Department for the purchase and installation of a large Christmas Tree with led/festoon lighting and extra Christmas features at the junction of Warren Drive and Fleetwood Road.

(ii)£3,883.75 as funding to the Street Cleansing Department for the clearing all gullies in Norbreck Ward.

The Leader of the Council agreed the recommendation as outlined above namely:

To authorise the requests, as submitted.