Decision details

Introduction of Dog Control Order - Dumpton Gap

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Is Key decision?: No

Is subject to call in?: Yes

Purpose:

Consideration of a petition proposing a dog ban on Dumpton Gap Beach between the hours of 10:00 to 18:00 from 1 May to 30 September in each year, which was referred to Cabinet for consideration in accordance with the Council’s Petition Scheme

Decision:

Cabinet agreed to maintain the current situation and allow dogs at any time at Dumpton Gap Beach.

Reasons for the decision:

Not to interrupt the continuity of a key walking route for dog owners between Ramsgate and Broadstairs and to maintain a balance across the Council’s beaches between the rights and expectations of dog owners and the rights and expectations of other users including visitors and tourists

Alternative options considered:

Propose to introduce a ban on dogs at any time between 1 May and 30 September in each year, proceed to public consultation and take the final decision, taking into account the responses to the public consultation.

Propose to introduce a ban on dogs between the hours of 10:00 and 18:00 from 1 May to 30 September in each year, proceed to public consultation and take the final decision taking into account the responses to the public consultation.

Rejected for the reasons given above.

Publication date: 24/01/2013

Date of decision: 22/01/2013

Decided at meeting: 22/01/2013 - Cabinet

Effective from: 01/02/2013

This decision has been called in by:

Councillor Ian Driver who writes Reasons for Call-In were as follows: 1. Cabinet cited economic reasons for refusing to consider the ban or consult further but did not provide any supporting data to justify this reason; 2. Cabinet stated that the refusal was also based upon the beach's importance as a walk linking Ramsgate and Broadstairs. This ignores the fact that there is King George V park linking the two towns, that tides often make it impossible to use the beach and also that since Louisa Bay has a dog ban it would still not be possible to walk into the centre of Broadstairs using the beach; 3. It has been discovered that another petition on the same subject which has 62 signatures and was received by the Council on 18th October 2012, 17 days after the first petition. This was refused under the 12 month rule but was not reported to anyone, including OSP. There is a feeling that the rules need to be looked at again - the Council meeting was not until 7th December 2012 and therefore our constituents' opinions could have been considered at Council, but these 62 people have effectively been ignored. It is suggested that Ward Councillors should be notified immediately if a petition is received in their area. That additional support could have been mentioned either at full Council or at Cabinet."

Accompanying Documents: