Cabinet to consider the introduction of requirements for dogs and smoking in public open spaces
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On Tuesday, (19th September) WNC will review the Public Spaces Protection Order that is currently in place in Daventry and South Northants areas, with a view to it also covering Northampton area. If approved, the order will come into force on 3 October 2023 until October 2025.
Cllr David Smith, WNC's Cabinet Member for community safety and engagement and regulatory services said: “Public open spaces should be enjoyed by everyone. By encouraging responsible dog ownership and limiting where people can smoke in certain open spaces such as play areas, we can create a cleaner, safer and more pleasant area for everyone to enjoy.
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Hide Ad“The PSPO gives the council the ability to ensure that the public can use and enjoy these public spaces and will help to make West Northamptonshire a better and safer place to live and work.”
The PSPO means dog owners could be fined £100 if they fail to:
- pick up their dog’s mess and dispose of it properly
- carry the means to pick up after their dog
- prevent their dog from entering public places from which dogs are excluded, including children’s play areas, schools, skateparks, tennis courts, multi-use games areas (MUGAs) and bowling greens
- keep their dog on a lead when in Northampton Town Centre, Upton Country Park Phase 2 (the land between Kislingbury and Upton), cemeteries, burial sites, graveyards, memorial gardens, allotments, car parks, sports grounds, fields and pitches - when in use for authorised sporting activity
- put their dog on a lead when asked to do so by an authorised officer
The order also restricts a person from walking more than four dogs at any one time in a public open space and prohibits smoking in children’s play areas, land near schools, skateparks; tennis courts; multi-use games areas (MUGAs) and bowling greens.
There are a number of other PSPOs already covering various parts of West Northamptonshire. To find out more about the public space protection orders and view the draft order visit https://www.westnorthants.gov.uk/pspo