HBC Report DC PSPO Review Sept 26 Cabinet report

Recommended · This went to the meeting on Mon 7 Sep 2026. What was decided is in that meeting's minutes.

The report also recommends adding a requirement for dog owners to carry a suitable means of removing dog faeces, and changing the rules to allow dogs on leads within Hastings Castle grounds, where dogs are currently not allowed at all. p7p8p28p62p64

A public consultation in July and August 2026 received 245 responses from Hastings residents, with 84% supporting renewal of the order, 96% supporting the dog-faeces requirement, and 83% supporting dogs on leads at Hastings Castle. p25p31p33p34p35

The report recommends authorising the Head of Community and Regulatory Services, working with the Chief Legal Officer and in consultation with the lead councillor for community safety and environmental services, to vary and renew the order. p9

Officers state that not renewing the order would remove the council's ability to enforce dog control requirements across the borough, including dog exclusion areas, leads requirements and seasonal beach restrictions. p5p65

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Show the 13 passages this is based on

• p5Failure to renew the PSPO would remove the council's ability to enforce dog control requirements across the borough. The report therefore recommends renewing the DC PSPO for a further three years, introducing the requirement to carry suitable means to remove dog faeces, allowing dogs on leads within Hastings Castle grounds, and delegating authority to the Head of Community and Regulatory Services, in consultation with the Chief Legal Officer, to implement and administer the order. These measures will enable the Council to continue managing dogrelated nuisance while supporting the safe and enjoyable use of public spaces for residents and visitors.
• p7Report Template v31.00 2. Cabinet agrees to an additional condition of making it an offence to not have a suitable means to remove dog faeces.
• p83. Cabinet agrees to vary the current restrictions at the Hastings Castle site allowing dogs on leads to enter the grounds.
• p94. Cabinet authorises the Head of Community and Regulatory Services in conjunction with the Chief Legal Officer, in consultation with the lead councillor for community safety and environmental services to vary this Order and renew for 3 years, in accordance with regulations published by the Secretary of State.
• p2511. The council undertook a public consultation on the renewal of the dog control PSPO for a 4 week period in July and August 2026 as required by the PSPO guidance. Scope of the DC PSPO Review and Consultation
• p2814. It also proposed to change the rule about dogs in the Hastings Castle site. Currently no dogs are allowed at all on the site but Troika Projects, the local consortium that has been appointed to run and redevelop parts of the Hastings Castle and West Hill site has asked if dogs could be allowed on to the Castle site if on a lead at all times.
• p3116. A total of 245 responses were received from respondents that lived in Hastings. Eight respondents were non-residents.
• p3318. 84% of all respondents agreed to renewing the PSPO for a further three years.
• p3419. 96% of respondents agreed with the proposal that a person in charge of a dog must have the means to remove dog faeces.
• p3520. 83% of respondents agreed with the proposal to allow dogs on leads in the grounds of Hastings Castle.
• p6228. It is recommended to amend the order to include the new requirement for dog owners to have means to pick up dog faeces the objective is to ensure that a person in charge of a dog has the means to comply with the primary fouling offence; picking up and disposing of dog faeces. It creates a preventative offence rather than relying on witnessing the fouling event. It
• p6429. It is recommended to amend the designation of Hastings Castle in the PSPO to give the castle operators the option to allow dogs on lead in the future. Option 2 – do not renew the PSPO
• p6530. This is not recommended, as it would remove the council's ability to enforce any dog-control requirements. This would include any provisions relating to dog exclusion areas, dogs on leads requirements, dogs on leads by direction, restrictions on the number of dogs under one person's control, seasonal beach restrictions, and any requirement to carry a suitable means for the removal of dog fouling.