Issue - meetings

Purpose of Report

1.    To brief Executive members on the process and consideration given to date, to review an existing Public Space Protection Order allowing for the gating of St Peter’s Passage in the City Centre area of Lincoln.

2.    To seek approval from the Executive on proposals regarding the review of the existing Public Space Protection Order (PSPO), which prevented access to this passageway.

Decision

1.    That the comments from Policy Scrutiny Committee (Appendix C) be noted.

2.    That the Public Spaces Protection Order allowing for the gating of St Peter’s Passage in the City Centre area of Lincoln be renewed for a further period of 3 years.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

To remove the gates and reopen St Peter’s Passage; from the consultation. Officer’s believed this would lead to Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) becoming prevalent in that area and the feedback from Lincoln BIG was that when the passage gates were opened for a couple of days following the locks being damaged that ASB started again immediately.

Reasons for the Decision

Following increased complaints of drug use, drug paraphernalia, urination, defecation and criminal activity occurring in St Peter’s passage in 2018 the initial PSPO was approved to gate the passageway restricting access for the public. This was renewed in 2021.

At the time of the decision the passageway was in an unsanitary condition and posed a health and safety risk to members of the Public, Street Cleaning Employees and Partner Agencies that accessed the Passage.

The Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act came into force on 20 October 2014. This Act contained the provisions for the Public Space Protection Order, which was enacted by order of the Secretary of State on the 20 October 2014.

Local authorities had the power to make Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPO) if satisfied on reasonable grounds, subject to conditions.

A PSPO had a maximum duration of 3 years. It was therefore advisable to review the order after 3 years to determine whether it should be subject to extension or variation. As part of the review, the views were sought of both the public and relevant partner agencies by way of a public and partner consultation, this consultation had also been published on social media for greater reach. The consultation period opened on Friday 13 September 2024 and closed on Friday 11 October 2024.

In response to the consultation, a total of 180 maximum responses were received. 87.8% of the responses supported the continuation of the gating of St Peter’s Passage. 12.2% opposed.

The preferred approach was to continue with the gating of St Peter’s Passage. From the previous 3 years no key risks have been identified.