New rules always work better when there is public support and understanding of them.  They don’t work when perceived as being excessive and having the effect of punishing responsible law-abiding citizens as opposed to those actually causing the problem.

There is a real risk that Crawley Borough Council is going to get it wrong on their proposal to introduce a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) in Tilgate Park, to ban dogs being let off the lead, enforceable with a fine of up £100.  The original proposal that was consulted on was to implement this for the entire park and golf course, including the paths and woodland around the golf course.  The consultation findings showed that a majority of those who responded, were against this proposal.  I’ve previously written that the entire park was far too excessive, with around the lake being the key area where there is an issue that needs addressing.

Waterfowl need protecting and the paths around the main lakes can be busy.  Enforcement powers here is by far the most logical place, as well as potentially for the lawns by the lake which are popular for picnics.  The rest of the park and the golf course are a total over-reaction and enforcement is not realistic.  The golf course has many paths and woodland well away from the golfing greens that are popular with responsible dog walkers from Furnace Green and Maidenbower in particular.  It would be wholly wrong to potentially criminalise these people.

While some progress has been made in removing the entire park from being covered by the PSPO, the Council’s Labour Cabinet are still advocating including the entire Golf Course within it.

The Full Council meeting on Wednesday 20th July will decide this item.  With a variety of views existing within both groups, I will be advocating a free vote for the Conservative Group and hope that the Labour Group will do the same, rather than their leadership forcing their view on the entire Labour Group which has a majority on the Council.  Let’s get this right for everyone and not have a dog’s breakfast.      

Councillor Duncan Crow, Leader of Crawley Borough Council Conservative Group

13th July 2022