Agenda item

Public Space Protection Orders

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Caroline Jackson)

 

Report of Director for Communities & the Environment

Minutes:

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Caroline Jackson)

 

Cabinet received a report from the Director for Communities and the Environment which sought Cabinet approval for the introduction of a Public Space Protection Orders (PSPO) in relation to various types of anti-social behaviour for a period of three years. The proposed PSPO would cover Lancaster City Centre, Morecambe, Lower Heysham, Happy Mount Park and Williamson Park.

 

The options, options analysis, including risk assessment and officer preferred option, were set out in the report as follows:

 

Option 1: Adopt the PSPO as proposed in the consultation, with no amendments

 Advantages:

· Reflects the majority of representation made during the public consultation that the prohibitions outlined in the draft PSPO order are types of behaviour not acceptable within the proposed areas.

· The conditions are identical for the proposed areas which makes for more consistent and less confusing enforcement.

Disadvantages:

· Raises public expectation. The PSPO is only one of the tools that can be used by authorised officers. Lack of enforcement could lead to a reduction in confidence in the Local Authority and Lancashire Police.

Risks:

· Reputational. Not listening to the views of the public.

 Option 2: Adopt the PSPO as proposed in the consultation, but not in all the proposed locations

Advantages:

· Not all areas received the same level of concern in the consultation

· Some members of the community could view the proposed restrictions in public parks as unnecessary

· Less areas to enforce

Disadvantages:

· Smaller communities feeling that their views have not been taken into consideration · Potential displacement of the types of behaviour to other public spaces.

Risks:

· Reputational. Not listening to the views of the public

Option 3: Do not adopt the PSPO

Advantages:

· Minimal cost benefit of not paying for signage.

Disadvantages:

· Going against majority of consultees

· Continued complaints received from the public about not feeling safe in the public spaces of the district.

· Loss of confidence in the local authority and Lancashire Police

Risks:

· Reputational. Not listening or responding to the points raised in the consultation

 

Councillor Caroline Jackson proposed, seconded by Councillor Matthews:-

 

“That the recommendations, as set out in the report, be approved.”

 

At this point the Chief Executive confirmed that he was minded to waive call-in on this item and had consulted with the Chair of Overview & Scrutiny in order that the decision could be implemented without delay.

 

Councillors then voted:-

 

Resolved unanimously:

 

(1) That the Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) are made to cover the designated areas as set out in the appendices appended to the report.

 

(2)  That it be noted that the Chief Executive had agreed to waive call-in on this item and had consulted with the Chair of Overview & Scrutiny prior to the meeting in order that the decision could be implemented without delay.

 

Officers responsible for effecting the decision:

 

Chief Executive

Director for Communities & the Environment

 

Reasons for making the decision:

 

The decision is consistent with the Council Plan :

·        Healthy and Happy Communities - Keeping our district’s neighbourhoods, parks, beaches and open space clean, well[1]maintained and safe.

·        A Co-operative, Kind and Responsible Council -  Listening to our communities and treating everyone with equal respect, being friendly, honest, and empathetic

 

The making of PSPOs to cover specific areas will be a helpful tool for the Police to help reduce anti-social behaviour.

Supporting documents: