Thank you for your comments, I agree that we need to provide safe spaces where children can run free and ditto for dogs, and that the two are separate.

There is a particular issue about Islington’s historic squares which don’t include play areas, but where people like to relax with their families; should dogs be allowed there at all and if so on what terms? The historic squares are the area where residents have raised most concern with me and where close attention needs to be given to local views.

There are many pensioners with small well-behaved companion dogs who go to the nearest square to walk their dogs. I think it would be harsh to exclude them entirely from squares which are not play areas. They are clearly a different case to the aggressive dogs (and even more aggressive owners) which are a frightening presence in some parks. But people’s feelings on this is exactly what the consultation should draw out.

I’m glad the Council has broached this difficult issue, because the status quo, with dog dirt and dog incidents rising, has become unacceptable. I don’t envy them the job of getting the right balance in the results. I’m sure the different approach to different spaces that you advocate will be part of the solution.

Editing the annual report is quite a big job, and one that’s important to me: I’ve been working on it for a couple of months now. See http://bridgetfox.wordpress.com/2008/03/13/book-of-numbers/ for some of the background.

But the final editing is really just a tidying up job, fitting the different contributions together, doing the proof-reading etc. The real work is done by all the different volunteers who not only run activities in the church but also write them up for the report.

If you would like to share your email address with me, I’ll gladly send you a copy of the report when it’s published.