Issue - meetings

Following the Joint Management Committee meeting on 19 June 2023, it was agreed that there should be a six-week consultation exercise to gauge public opinion on a proposal to introduce a pilot licencing scheme to formalise and regulate commercial dog walking in Nonsuch Park.

The Committee received a report to consider a proposed consultation questionnaire, prior to the commencement of the six-week consultation exercise to gauge public opinion on a proposal to introduce a pilot licencing scheme to formalise and regulate commercial dog walking in Nonsuch Park.

The Committee considered the following matters:

a)            Condensing the Questionnaire. It was the feeling of the Committee that the questionnaire could be made more succinct and condensed. This was noted by the Streetcare Manager.

b)            Individual Charge. In relation to question 17 of the draft questionnaire, it was established that, in the case of dog walking companies, each dog walker would be required to have a licence instead of a company-wide licence covering all dog walkers employed by the company.

c)            Dog Free Areas. The Streetcare Manager explained that dogs were allowed anywhere in the Park, off-lead, except for in the formal garden and the other three designated dog-free areas of the Park.

d)            Hi-Vis Identifiers for Dogs.  As an alternative to dog walkers wearing hi-vis identifiers, a Member suggested that perhaps the dogs being walked commercially could wear hi-vis identifiers. The Streetcare Manager said she would investigate the viability of this option.

The Chair proposed that the wording of the report’s recommendation be amended as follows:

‘To authorise the Chair and Committee Clerk to agree the final consultation questionnaire, following condensation and revision, so that the six-week consultation with the public and stakeholders can commence on 1 April 2024.’

Councillor Christopher Woolmer seconded the proposal. The Committee unanimously agreed to the proposal.

Following consideration, it was resolved:

(1)          To authorise the Chair and Committee Clerk to agree the final consultation questionnaire, following condensation and revision, so that the six-week consultation with the public and stakeholders can commence on 1 April 2024.