A PUBLIC space protection order (PSPO) for dog fouling and control is set to be adopted.

The council’s cabinet is recommended to approve the adoption of it at its Town Hall meeting on Monday, with it to take effect on April 1 2024.

Members are recommended to approve the adoption of the fixed penalty notice for breach of the order ‘at the maximum level of £100 with no discount’ and to delegate authority to issue FPNs ‘in accordance with the scheme of delegation’, and to ‘approve officers to authorise Police Community Support Officers in consultation with Cheshire Constabulary’.

The order proposes the borough-wide offence of failing to remove dog faeces ‘without reasonable excuse6’, the offence of failing to keep a dog on a lead ‘without reasonable excuse’ on the land identified, and the borough-wide offence of ‘failure to comply with a direction given by an authorised officer to put and keep the dog(s) on a lead’.

A report to cabinet says there is ‘already an expectation’ placed on the council that it will act where it has evidence to do so, against those who deliberately avoid compliance, and whose actions impact on others.

It adds: “Adoption of the powers will not unduly change this expectation.

“It will, however, restore the status quo on dog fouling dating back to 1981.

“It is widely acknowledged that people are more likely to comply if they understand why they need to act, and what they need to do to comply.

“There is already a common understanding that failing to remove dog fouling is anti-social, and most people have a strong built in desire to comply.

“The PSPO seeks to deliver on the pledges made under the corporate plan. It also places the enforcement of dog fouling on a firm legal basis, re-establishing the status quo.

“Dog fouling is seen as being anti-social and the order seeks to address an important issue, whilst balancing the needs of responsible dog owners in a proportionate way.”