Issue - meetings

This report presents a draft Dog Walking Code of Conduct and a Commercial Dog Walking Policy for Nonsuch Park.

The Committee received a report presenting a draft Dog Walking Code of Conduct and a draft Commercial Dog Walking Policy for Nonsuch Park.

The Committee considered the following matters:

a)            Dog Number Limit. The Committee considered that an upper limit of 6 dogs for properly insured professional dog walkers, as set out in the draft licensing policy, was suitable and appropriate, and were happy with recommendation of 4 dogs for general Park users, as set out in the draft dog walking code of conduct. In response to comments from Members, the Assistant Head of Service (Streetcare) advised that the upper limit of 6 dogs for professional dog walkers, and the recommendation to general Park users of 4 dogs as best practice, could be reviewed and amended in future if deemed necessary.

b)            Publicisation and Raising Awareness. The Committee considered the importance of publicising and making people aware of the dog walking licensing policy and code of conduct. The Assistant Head of Service (Streetcare) stated that the Council would look to run a publicity day in the Park to promote and raise awareness of the licensing policy and code of conduct. She advised that the licensing policy and code of conduct could be promoted via prominent signage placed on the Park’s entrance notice boards, as well as via flyers in the Park café, on digitally on the Councils’ websites. In response to a question from a Member, she advised that the code of conduct was a recommendation of best practice only and not enforceable.

Following consideration, the Committee unanimously resolved to:

(1)          Agree and adopt the draft Dog Walking Code of Conduct as set out in Appendix One of the report.

(2)          Agree and adopt the draft Commercial Dog Walking Policy as set out in Appendix Two of the report.

(3)          Nominate and authorise the Assistant Head of Service (Streetcare) to determine applications for, and to suspend/revoke, licences for Commercial Dog Walking in Nonsuch Park, in accordance with the Policy.

(4)          Nominate and authorise the Assistant Head of Service (Streetcare) in consultation with the Chair of the Committee to make minor amendments to the Dog Walking Code of Conduct and Commercial Dog Walking Policy as appropriate.