Agenda item

Ben Jackson, Public Protection, Anti-Social Behaviour and Licensing Services Manager

a.    presented a report to:

                      i.        brief Policy Scrutiny Committee on the process and consideration given to date, to extend an existing  Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) at  Lucy Tower, Broadgate and Lincoln Central Multi-Storey Carparks

                    ii.        seek the views of the Policy Scrutiny Committee on proposals regarding the extension of the existing PSPO prior to consideration by the Executive

b.    advised that the current PSPO that covered Lucy Tower, Broadgate and Lincoln Central Multi-Storey Carparks prohibited the following behaviours within the designated areas (Appendix A):

1.    No person in the restricted area shall engage in any of the following activities:

a.    Ingesting, inhaling, injecting, smoking or otherwise using and intoxicating substance unless for an exempted use;

b.    Any activity likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress to any other person;

c.    Congregating in a group of two or more persons so as to cause and obstruction or give reasonable grounds for annoyance to any person;

d.    Loitering without a permitted purpose; or Anti-social behaviour, including but not limited to public urination or defecation, or any other unacceptable or offensive behaviour

c.    explained that a PSPO had a maximum duration of three years therefore it was advisable to review the order after 3 years to determine whether it should be subject to extension or variation

d.    summarised the consultation that had taken place with both public and partner agencies and explained that the five responses received called for the existing PSPO to remain in place

e.    referred to paragraph 6 of the report and detailed the evidence that had been gathered from Lincolnshire Police, the CCTV team and the Car Parking team

f.     proposed that the existing PSPO be renewed without any further variations for a further 3 years

g.    referred to paragraph 9 and 10 of the report and advised how the PSPO would be implemented and enforced

h.    invited Committees views on the proposal

Question: Commented that some of the behaviour outlined in the PSPO was already a criminal offence and asked what was the difference between having a PSPO in place and not having one in place.

Response: Originally the problem was with rough sleepers congregating at the car parks and causing anti-social behaviour. Officers enforcing the PSPO could advise rough sleepers that they were in breach of the PSPO if they were congregating without good reason and ask them to leave. The approach would be to liaise with the Council’s Rough Sleeper Team and provide support rather than prosecution.

Question: Could all three PSPO’s in the City be reviewed at the same time to save resources?

Response: The three PSPO’s were implemented at different times and were reviewed from when they were implemented. There would not be a cost saving as each PSPO would require seperate consultation.

Question: Was there clear signage in place at the car parks regarding the PSPO?

Response: Yes, there was clear signage in place.

Question: Who could enforce the PSPO?

Response: The PSPO would be enforced by authorised Council Officers and Lincolnshire Police.

Question: Have any fixed penalty notices been issued?

Response: No, the PSPO acted as a deterrent.

Question: Could the PSPO be changed if needed in future.
Response: Yes the PSPO could be reviewed.

RESOLVED that the proposal to extend the current PSPO without variations to the prohibition or location be supported and referred to Executive for approval.