PSPO Survey - Tell us what you think

Summary

Islington Council is consulting on proposals to renew its Public Spaces Protection Orders, known as PSPOs, for dog control and alcohol-related anti-social behaviour for a further three years, until 31 October 2029.

PSPOs are legal powers that help councils and the police deal with specific types of anti-social behaviour in public spaces. They are intended to protect residents, businesses and visitors from behaviour that causes nuisance, disorder or affects people’s ability to enjoy public spaces safely.

We are proposing to:

extend the existing PSPO for dog control;

extend the existing PSPO for alcohol-related anti-social behaviour linked to street drinking;

include clear rules requiring people in charge of dogs to clean up dog fouling; and

require people walking dogs to carry suitable means to clean up after their dog, such as dog waste bags.

This survey asks for your views on the proposals. Your feedback will help inform the final decision.

Section 1: Dog control PSPO

Dog control PSPO

Dogs on leads by direction

We recognise that most dog owners are responsible and keep their dogs under control. However, where dogs are not properly supervised, they can cause nuisance, injury or distress to members of the public or other animals.

The current “dogs on leads by direction” condition allows authorised officers to ask a person in charge of a dog to put and keep the dog on a lead where the dog is not considered to be under proper control.

This does not mean that all dogs must be kept on leads at all times. It gives authorised officers a proportionate way to respond where a dog is causing, or is likely to cause, nuisance, disturbance or risk.

Do you support the current condition regarding dogs on leads by direction being extended for a further three years, until 31 October 2029?

Please choose one option:

Select option

Please tell us why you chose this answer, or share any other comments you would like us to consider.

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Dog exclusion areas

We recognise the positive role that outdoor play and activity has on health and wellbeing, particularly for children. It is important that children can play freely on play equipment without the risk of dog mess or uncontrolled dogs.

The current PSPO excludes dogs from certain public spaces and play areas in Islington, including children’s play areas and some marked and maintained sports areas, such as football pitches and basketball courts.

Certain exemptions apply, such as registered assistance dogs.

The full list of locations covered by the dog exclusion condition is set out in the draft PSPO wording, which is available on this consultation page. This includes a detailed schedule of affected parks, play areas, estates and other public spaces, so residents can check whether a specific location is included.

Where restrictions apply, signs will be displayed in the area to explain the rules.

Do you support the current condition regarding dog exclusion areas being extended for a further three years, until 31 October 2029?

Please choose one option:

Select option

Dog fouling

Dog fouling can have a significant negative impact on the enjoyment, cleanliness and safety of public spaces.

The PSPO would require a person in charge of a dog to remove dog faeces immediately from public land covered by the Order. Failure to do so could result in enforcement action.

Do you support the PSPO including a condition requiring people in charge of a dog to remove dog faeces immediately from public land covered by the Order?

Please choose one option:

Yes

Don't Know

Please tell us why you chose this answer, or share any other comments you would like us to consider.

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Requirement to carry suitable means to clean up after a dog

The PSPO would require people in charge of a dog to carry suitable means to remove dog faeces, such as dog waste bags, and to produce them if requested by an authorised officer.

This is intended to support responsible dog ownership and make sure people walking dogs are able to clean up after their dog where necessary.

Do you support the PSPO including a condition requiring people in charge of a dog to carry suitable means to remove dog faeces when walking their dog in public places?

Please choose one option:

Yes

Don't know

Please tell us why you chose this answer, or share any other comments you would like us to consider.

Maximum 255 characters

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Any other comments on the dog control PSPO

Do you have any other comments about the proposed extension or wording of the dog control PSPO?

Maximum 255 characters

0/255

Alcohol-related anti-social behaviour PSPO

The existing alcohol-related PSPO helps the Council and police respond to anti-social behaviour linked to street drinking.

The Order does not ban drinking in public places. It allows authorised officers to ask a person or group to stop drinking and surrender alcohol where the officer believes this is necessary to prevent public nuisance or disorder.

These powers are not intended to disrupt peaceful activity. An offence is only committed if a person, without reasonable excuse, refuses to comply with an authorised officer’s request.

The current Order applies across public spaces in the borough.

Do you support the existing PSPO to tackle anti-social behaviour related to street drinking being extended for a further three years, until 31 October 2029?

Please choose one option:

Select option

Section 2: Alcohol-related anti-social behaviour PSPO

Section 2: Alcohol-related anti-social behaviour PSPO

Section 3: Equality and impact

Equality and impact

10.

Please tell us why you chose this answer, or share any other comments you would like us to consider.

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11.

Any other comments on the alcohol-related PSPO

Do you have any other comments about the proposed extension of the PSPO to tackle alcohol-related anti-social behaviour linked to street drinking?

Maximum 255 characters

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12.

Equality and impact

We want to understand whether the proposals could affect different groups of people in different ways.

For example, this could include disabled people, older people, people with assistance dogs, people experiencing homelessness, people affected by poverty, dog owners, parents, carers, businesses, visitors or local residents.

Do you think any of the proposals could affect particular groups of people differently?

Please choose one option:

Select option

13.

If yes, please tell us how you think people may be affected and what the Council could do to reduce any negative impact.

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Section 4: Locations of concern

Locations of concern

14.

Locations of concern

Are there any specific locations in Islington where dog fouling, irresponsible dog ownership or alcohol-related anti-social behaviour are a particular concern?

Please tell us the location and what the issue is.

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Section 5: About you

This section is optional. The information helps us understand whether we have heard from a broad range of people and whether the proposals may affect different groups in different ways.

15.

If you answered Other, tell us more

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16.

Your connection to Islington

What links do you have to Islington?

Please choose all that apply:

I live in the borough

I work in the borough

I study in the borough

I visit the borough

I own or run a business in the borough

I am responding on behalf of an organisation

Other

prefer not to say

17.

Individual or organisation

Are you responding as an individual or on behalf of an organisation?

Please choose one option:

Select option

18.

If you are responding on behalf of an organisation, please provide the name of the organisation.

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19.

What is your age?

Please choose one option:

Under 17

17-24

25-34

35-44

45-54

55-64

65 - and over

Prefer not to say

20.

Do you consider yourself to have a long-term illness, impairment or disability that limits your day-to-day activity?

Please choose one option:

Select option

21.

If yes, please tell us more if you wish.

Please choose all that apply:

Mobility impairment

Visual impairment

Hearing impairment

Cognitive impairment

Speech impairment

Mental health condition

Long-term health condition

Other

Prefer not to say

22.

If you selected “Other”, please tell us more.

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23.

What is your ethnicity?

Select option

24.

If you selected “Other ethnic group”, please tell us more.

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25.

What is your religion or belief?

Select option

26.

If you selected “Other”, please tell us more.

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27.

What is your gender?

Please choose one option:

Male

Female

Non-binary

Prefer not to say

Other please specify

28.

If you selected “Other”, please tell us more.

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Thank you for taking the time to share your views.

Your response will be considered as part of the Council’s consultation before a final decision is made on whether to renew and vary the Public Spaces Protection Orders.