Dogs could be banned from council-owned sports pitches in Caerphilly County Borough due to issues with dog fouling.
The ban will go ahead if approved by Caerphilly County Borough Council’s cabinet.
What is Caerphilly County Borough Council’s cabinet?
A council’s cabinet is made up of councillors in charge of different policy areas – such as education, environment, local economy, etc – and a leader.
It is separate to the council’s corporate management structure, which is headed up by its chief executive and various directors. Cabinet is made up of councillors, who are elected and have the ultimate say.
Typically, cabinet members are councillors from the party with the most elected council members.
Caerphilly County Borough Council’s cabinet is made up of:
- Cllr Sean Morgan (Nelson) – Leader
- Cllr Jamie Pritchard (Morgan Jones) – Deputy Leader; Prosperity, Regeneration and Climate Change
- Cllr Nigel George (Risca East) – Corporate Services and Property
- Cllr Eluned Stenner (New Tredegar) – Finance and Performance
- Cllr Carol Andrews (Gilfach) – Education and Communities
- Cllr Shayne Cook (Morgan Jones) – Housing
- Cllr Elaine Forehead (Van) – Social Care
- Cllr Philippa Leonard (Risca East) – Planning and Public Protection
- Cllr Chris Morgan (Machen and Rudry) – Waste, Leisure and Green Spaces
Corporate management is made up of unelected employees of the council and has responsibility for day-to-day management of services, such as making sure the bins are collected. Corporate directors work with cabinet members to come up with policy which is then agreed upon by the cabinet.
Last updated October 13, 2023
Responding to a council consultation into the issue, sports clubs highlighted how often games are delayed or halted due to dog foul on the pitch.
Overall, 1,540 respondents completed the questionnaire – 53.5% of which voted to ban dogs from council-owned sports pitches in the borough.
Some of the reasons given for supporting the proposals were to ensure a safe and clean environment for children and adults to exercise, and to further encourage responsible dog ownership.
The matter was discussed by councillors during an Environment and Sustainability Scrutiny Committee meeting on Tuesday, October 26.
Plaid Cymru councillor Colin Elsbury, who represents the St Martin’s ward, said: “As someone who has to deal with dog fouling when playing cricket, it is not nice.”
Labour councillor Mark Evans, who represents New Tredegar, said a year-round blanket ban would make it easier for the public to follow, as opposed to bans dependant on the sport season.
However, The RSPCA has criticised the proposed ban, saying it restricts the areas where dogs can be exercised, particularly for people who cannot travel distances to exercise their dogs.
The RSPCA also saids the ban punishes responsible dog owners.
The potential ban is part of the council’s existing Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO). If approved by cabinet, the exclusion of dogs from sport pitches will be added to it.
The existing PSPO includes the following restrictions:
• Dogs are excluded from all enclosed children’s play and multi-use games areas.
• Dogs are required to be kept on leads in enclosed memorial gardens.
• Dog owners are required to remove dog faeces in public places.
• Dog owners are required to carry an appropriate receptacle for dealing with the waste that their dogs produce – that is to always have the means to pick up their dog faeces.
• Dog owners are required to put their dogs on a lead when directed to do so by an authorised officer on any public land where the dog is considered to be out of control or causing harm or distress to prevent a nuisance.
New signage to enforce the rule in designated areas will cost £2,000. This will be funded from the council’s existing environmental health budgets.
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