Hartlepool Borough Council has launched a public consultation asking residents, businesses and community groups whether two existing Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) should be extended for a further three years.
What the consultation covers
The council is seeking views on:
- Dog control — restrictions on where dogs can be exercised, rules to prevent dog fouling, requirements to carry waste bags and specified areas where dogs must be on leads.
- Alley‑gating — continued permission for alley gates in some back streets and other locations intended to limit unauthorised pedestrian and vehicle access to reduce anti‑social behaviour.
Councillors say the PSPOs were introduced under the Anti‑Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 and have been used to tackle nuisance and protect sensitive spaces such as play parks, cemeteries and bathing beaches.
“These orders have helped us protect public spaces, promote responsible dog ownership and support communities affected by anti‑social behaviour. As we consider whether to extend them for a further three years, it's important that local people tell us what they think,”
The quotation above comes from Amanda Napper, chair of the council's neighbourhoods and regulatory services committee, who is urging people who use parks, beaches and neighbourhoods daily to take part.
How enforcement would operate
The dog control provisions include practical measures and powers for officers: owners are required to clear up after their pets and to carry bags for waste disposal. In specified locations, dogs must be kept on leads. Enforcement officers can direct people to put dogs on leads and there is a limit on the number of dogs one person may walk at once.
| PSPO | Main purpose | Key measures |
|---|---|---|
| Dog control | Reduce fouling and nuisance; protect sensitive sites | Bags must be carried; leads in certain areas; max dogs per person |
| Alley‑gating | Restrict unauthorised access; cut anti‑social behaviour | Allow existing gates to remain in place; retain control powers |
What residents should consider
The consultation gives Hartlepool people the chance to influence whether the borough continues with the existing restrictions. Points residents may wish to reflect on include:
- Whether dog‑walking rules are proportionate and clear, and if enforcement should be stepped up or relaxed.
- If alley gates are helping to reduce anti‑social behaviour in specific streets or whether they impede legitimate movement and access.
- Any local evidence of change since the orders were first made that might support amending, extending or ending particular measures.
Details of the survey and supporting material are available from the council. Amanda Napper encouraged contributions from anyone who uses the borough’s green spaces, beaches and neighbourhoods.
The consultation period is the formal opportunity for people to register their views before councillors decide whether to renew the orders for another three years. Residents who are unsure how the PSPOs affect them can contact their local ward councillor or the council’s neighbourhoods team for clarification.
Hartlepool’s approach mirrors similar exercises elsewhere in the country where authorities review PSPOs periodically to ensure they remain necessary and effective.
