Council Agenda Item 22

Subject: Petition for Debate 

Date of meeting: 10 July 2025

Report of: Director of Governance & Law 

Contact Officer: Name: Anthony Soyinka

Tel: 01273 291006

Email: anthony.soyinka@brighton-hove.gov.uk

Ward(s) affected: All 

FOR GENERAL RELEASE

1.         SUMMARY AND POLICY CONTEXT:

1.1 Under the Council’s Petition Scheme if a petition contains more than 1,250 signatures and is not petition requesting officer evidence, it will be debated by the Full Council.

2.         RECOMMENDATIONS:

2.1 That the petition is noted.

3.        RELEVANT BACKGROUND INFORMATION / CHRONOLOGY OF KEY EVENTS:

3.1      To receive the following petition:

Reinstate the Dog Free Fenced Area in Blakers Park

We the undersigned petition Brighton & Hove Council to amend the current Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) and reinstate the fenced area in Blakers Park as a dedicated dog-free space for children, families, and the wider community. For over 40 years, this fenced area has served as a safe and peaceful haven where school groups, nursery children, and families have gathered for picnics, games, and community events. In the 1970s, following strong local advocacy over concerns such as dog fouling, the community successfully secured its dog-free status. This long-standing arrangement has helped foster safety, accessibility, and harmony in the park. However, the current PSPO does not include this important space within its dog-free designation, despite its historical use as a dog-free area. As a result, dogs are now allowed in a space that has traditionally been relied upon for safe, dog-free recreation. 

We respectfully urge Brighton & Hove City Council to amend the current PSPO to reinstate the dog-free status of the fenced area, ensuring that Blakers Park remains a welcoming and secure environment for children, families, and the wider community. 

Please sign this petition to help safeguard our cherished park for families, residents, and future generations. 

4.         PROCEDURE:

4.1 The petition will be debated at the Council meeting in accordance with the agreed protocol:

(i) The Lead petitioner will be invited by the Mayor to present the petition and will have up to 3 minutes in which to outline the petition and confirm the number of signatures;

(ii) The Mayor will then open the matter up for debate by councillors for period of 15 minutes and will first call on the relevant Cabinet Member to respond to the petition and move a proposed response. The Mayor will then call on those councillors who have indicated a desire to speak in the matter, before calling on the relevant Cabinet Member to respond to the debate;

(iii) An amendment to the recommendation in paragraph 2.1 of the report or to add additional recommendations should be submitted by 10.00am on the day before the meeting; otherwise it will be subject to the Mayor’s discretion as to being appropriate.  Any such amendment will need to be formally moved and seconded at the meeting;

(iv) After the 15 minutes set aside for the debate, the Mayor will then formally put:

(v) (a) Any amendments in the order in which they are moved, and

(b) The substantive recommendation(s) as amended (if amended).