Issue - meetings

Key Decision

Portfolio Holder

Councillor Helen-Ann Smith – Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Community Safety and Crime Reduction

RESOLVED that

a)    the consultation exercise, undertaken on the proposed 3 year extension and variation of the Public Spaces Protection Order including acknowledgement of the consultation responses as outlined in this report which largely supports the proposed Order, be received and noted;

b)    Council be recommended to approve the extension, variation and associated budget for the existing Public Spaces Protection Order as set out in the draft order to commence on 1st October 2021.

Cabinet was presented with the outcome of the Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) consultation and were invited to recommend to Council that the PSPO be extended for a further 3 years and be varied to include specified additional prohibitions.

Members considered the alternative option of declining to extend (and vary) the existing PSPO which would cease on 30 September 2021, but this was not recommended as officers would no longer be able to take action in addressing dog fouling, dog control, alcohol related street drinking, urinating in public places or be able to move people on whilst addressing localised problems.

RESOLVED that

a)    the consultation exercise, undertaken on the proposed 3 year extension and variation of the Public Spaces Protection Order including acknowledgement of the consultation responses as outlined in this report which largely supports the proposed Order, be received and noted;

b)    Council be recommended to approve the extension, variation and associated budget for the existing Public Spaces Protection Order as set out in the draft order to commence on 1st October 2021.

Reasons:

1.    In line with Section 60, Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, a PSPO may not have effect for a period of more than 3 years unless extended. The existing PSPO enacted on 1 October 2018, relating to a number of dog-related issues, alcohol and urinating would expire on 30 September 2021 unless the PSPO was formally extended following due process.

2.    Evidence had been gathered to support the continued need for the order and public consultation largely supported the Order. Extending the PSPO ensured that the Council and Police could take suitable action including issuing Fixed Penalty Notices for these types of issues.