We Asked, You Said, We Did - HOP

Here are just a few recent consultations and the outcomes, based on feedback from members of the Online Panel. 

Public Space Protection Orders July 2018 – 701 respondents (+11)

We Asked

We asked you to consider whether restrictions on the exercising of dogs should be brought in at North Cemetery and North Sands. We also asked whether additional powers to restrict lead length in cemeteries and check dog walkers were carrying the means to clean up after their dog should be given to designated officers.

The consultation ran from 9th July to 30th September 2018. Over 700 responses were received to the online survey. An additional 11 letters/emails were submitted outside the survey with comments or proposals, which were included in the qualitative analysis.

You Said

• You agreed that dogs should be kept on a lead in North Cemetery (78.55%)
• You agreed that seasonal restrictions should be brought in to North Sands beach and dunes area
• You agreed that leads should be restricted to 1.5m in cemeteries (60.19%)
• You agreed that designated officers should be given powers to check owners have the means to pick up (74.41%) and check dog’s microchip details (81.52%)
• You raised concerns that options for exercising dogs off lead in the north of the town were limited
• You asked that other options for protecting the Little Tern breeding colony be explored before restricting access for dogs to the North Sands
• You highlighted confusion around the existing and new restrictions on the exercising of dogs, particularly where they could and could not be allowed off-lead

We Did/Will

• We will introduce the ‘Dogs on Leads’ order in North Cemetery as requested by the majority of respondents to help protect the graves from fouling
• We will work with the conservationists and ecologists at North Sands to look at better ways of protecting the Little Terns so that dog walkers can continue to use the beach and dunes unrestricted, including following up a number of practical suggestions received in the consultation
• Designated officers will be granted the power to check dog walkers are carrying the means to clean up their dog’s mess but will not be checking dog’s microchip details as part of dog fouling enforcement (although we will continue to do this to reunite lost pets with their owners)
• We will install better signage in popular dog walking locations to make it clear where dogs can and cannot go. We will also run a publicity campaign to raise awareness of the public space protection orders and places where dogs can be exercised freely in Hartlepool
   

Safer Hartlepool Partnership Community Safety Survey January 2019 – 245 respondents

We Asked

As the Safer Hartlepool Partnership’s 3-year Community Safety Plan enters its third year, we asked you to consider whether the community safety priorities within the Plan were still important and whether you thought there was anything missing from these priorities. We also asked about your concerns and worries about crime and anti-social behaviour and what impact these concerns had on your feelings of safety and security in the town,

The consultation ran from 28th January to the 25th March 2019. 245 responses were received.

You Said

• You wanted more of a police presence on the streets to feel safer
• You highlighted concerns around stranger violence and youth-related anti-social behaviour/crime
• You also highlighted concerns around drug dealing and associated crime and disorder and about people being under the influence of drugs/alcohol in the street and public places
• You were concerned about poor street lighting and suspicious people hanging about and this made some people feel unsafe in their local area, particularly after dark
• You wanted more facilities/diversionary activities for young people and stronger deterrents for criminals and those engaged in anti-social behaviour
• You often do not report crimes because you think nothing can be done
• You felt ‘fairly’ or ‘very’ strongly (81%) that you belonged to your local area
• You speak to your neighbours and get involved in activities in your local community

We Did

• We used powers under the Anti-Social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014 to stop ‘street drinkers’ causing a nuisance in the York Road area
• We closed ‘drug houses’, arrested dealers and seized drugs, cash and equipment to put drug dealers out of business
• We used new powers to stop persistent ‘neighbours from hell’ from making residents’ lives a misery, including the use of fixed penalty notices, Harassment Injunctions and Criminal Behaviour Orders
• We improved our publicity so that you can see what we have been doing and what has been achieved to build resident confidence
• We made it easier to report crime and anti-social behaviour through the ‘one stop shop’ Community Safety Team

 

Non-Release Policy for Balloons and Sky Lanterns – 873 respondents

We Asked

We asked for your opinion on the issue of mass balloon/sky lantern releases and their impact on wildlife and the environment. We also asked you to consider the question of introducing a non-release policy on Council owned and managed land in Hartlepool. The consultation ran through the summer of 2018 and there were 873 responses.

You Said

• You were aware of the harm to the environment caused by the releasing of balloons and sky lanterns (97%)
• You would support the introduction of a voluntary non-release policy on all land owned or managed by the Council including the foreshore (95%)
• You were keen on the idea of the Council offering shrub/tree/wildflower planting as an alternative way to commemorate the passing away of a loved one (90%)
• Other suggestions included releasing bubbles (or other non-toxic, biodegradable items), providing memorial benches and taking part in some kind of community activity as alternatives to balloon releases
• One third of respondents were willing to help the council promote the benefits of a non-release of balloons and sky lanterns policy

We Did

• We have introduced a ban on all balloon and sky lantern releases on Council owned and managed land
• We have published an article in a residents’ association newsletter