Issue - meetings

Purpose of Report

To review the existing Public Space Protection Order relating to intoxicating substances and consider a proposal to vary the scope of this Order in consultation with the public and relevant partners.

Decision

That the proposal to extend and vary the Public Space Protection Order to include Zone 3, as set out in Appendix C of the report, and the amendment to the wording to that shown in the draft Order as set out in Appendix E of the report be approved.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

None.

Reason for Decision

In April 2015 the Council enacted a Public Space Protection Order under the Anti-Social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014. This was renewed in February 2018 and the current Order was set out at Appendix A of the report.

A Public Space Protection Order may not last more than three years so should be reviewed before its expiration and may then be extended for a further period of up to three years. As part of the review the Order may be amended to add or remove prohibitions or requirements, change the geographical area or discharge the Order.

Consultation had been undertaken for 28 days, commencing on 2 November 2020, further to which five responses had been received with four coming from partners and one being received from a member of the public. All five responses had called for the existing Public Space Protection Order to remain in place, with all four partner responses calling for the extension of the geographical area of the Public Space Protection Order to cover St Rumbolds Street.

In addition to consultation responses, the Citizens Panel had also returned comments relating specifically to drug users and drunks in the city centre and St Rumbolds Street area. 45 separate comments about drug and alcohol misuse in the city centre had been received.

Evidence in respect of the current geographical area to remain in place for the Public Space Protection Order was included within the report, outlining the number of surrenders, breaches, fixed penalty notices and prosecutions. The report also set out additional evidence for the extension of the Public Space Protection Order to include St Rumbolds Street, referred to as Zone 3 in Appendix C.

Councillor Christopher Burke supported the proposed extension of the geographical area of the Public Space Protection Order and commended the scheme as having been very successful. He was aware of residents in the area proposed who had been aggrieved and upset by the consistent occurrence of anti-social behaviour and understood that the Lincolnshire Police was also supportive of the proposal.

Councillor Neil Murray reflected on the introduction of the initial Public Space Protection Order and said it was a shame but necessary in order to protect people from such instances of anti-social behaviour.