(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Peter Jackson)
Cabinet received a report from the Chief Officer People & Policy that sought Cabinet approval for the renewal of the Public Space Protection Orders (PSPO) in relation to various types of anti-social behaviour for a period of three years. The existing PSPOs which cover Lancaster City Centre, Morecambe, Lower Heysham, Happy Mount Park and Williamson Park expire on 13th December 2024.
The options, options analysis, including risk assessment and officer preferred option, were set out in the report as follows:
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Option 1: Adopt the PSPO as proposed in the consultation, with no amendments |
Option 2: Adopt the PSPO as proposed in the consultation, but not in all the proposed locations |
Option 3: Do not adopt the PSPO |
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Advantages |
Reflects the majority of representations made during the public consultation that the prohibitions outlined in the current PSPO order are types of behaviour not acceptable within the proposed areas.
Anti-social behaviour is still being experienced in all the areas that the PSPO intends to cover (Appendix 3)
Comment has been made in the PSPO consultation about ASB ruining lives and businesses.
The conditions are identical for the proposed areas which makes for more consistent and less confusing enforcement. |
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. |
Minimal cost benefit of not paying for signage. |
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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. |
Smaller communities feeling that their views have not been taken into consideration.
Potential displacement of the types of behaviour to other public spaces |
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 |
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Risks |
Reputational. Not listening to views of the public. |
Reputational. Not listening to views of the public. |
Reputational. Not listening to views of the public. |
The officer preferred option is Option1. This option reflects the majority of the public comment arising from the consultation. It supports the council policy framework for Happy Healthy Communities and a Cooperative Kind and Responsible Council.
Councillor Peter Jackson proposed, seconded by Councillor Wood:-
“That the recommendation, as set out in the report, be approved.”
Councillors then voted:-
Resolved unanimously:
(1) That the Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) are made to cover the designated areas as set out in Appendix 2 to the report.
Officer responsible for effecting the decision:
Chief Officer People & Policy
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.
There is strong evidence to support the need of a PSPO in certain localities of the district. Police data is only one source of evidence that indicates what is taking place in the localities that the PSPO will cover. Elected members regularly report concerns of continued incidents of anti-social behaviour that is impacting on the lives of residents that they represent. It is a fair and balanced approach to address the issue that certain types of behaviour spoil the enjoyment of the public spaces of Lancaster District for our residents and visitors alike.