Issue - meetings

Report of Head of Regulatory Services and Community Safety

Purpose of report

A consultation was recently undertaken on a proposal to introduce a new Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) for Banbury town centre. This report provides the Executive with the background to the proposal, a summary of the consultation undertaken and the feedback from stakeholders and the details of the potential scope of the Order. The report asks the Executive to decide whether to introduce a PSPO in Banbury town centre.

Recommendations

The Executive resolves:

1.1           To introduce a Public Spaces Protection Order for Banbury town centre taking into consideration the outcomes of the public consultation and the feedback received from stakeholders.

1.2           To agree the basis of the order will be items (a)-(e) as set out in the consultation in section 4.14 and the order will apply to the area set within the red border in appendix 1.

1.3           To agree the order can remain in place for up to 3 years.

Resolved

(1)          That it be agreed to introduce a Public Spaces Protection Order for Banbury town centre taking into consideration the outcomes of the public consultation and the feedback received from stakeholders.

(2)          That it be agreed that the basis of the order will be items below, which were included in the scope of the PSPO consulted on and the order will apply to the area set within the red border on the map as set out in the Annex to the Minutes (as set out in the Minute Book).

·         No begging within 10 metres of a cash or payment machine or begging in a manner which is aggressive or intimidating or is likely to cause someone to feel harassed, alarmed or distressed

·         No person shall consume alcohol in the restricted area (other than in residential premises or premises specified in Section 62(1) of the Act) in a manner which causes nuisance or annoyance to other persons in the locality.

·         No person shall continue to consume alcohol when directed by an officer to stop in the restricted area.

·         No person shall fail to surrender alcohol or a container for alcohol when requested to do so by an officer in the restricted area.

·         No person shall cause harassment, alarm or distress to any individual(s) by committing antisocial behaviour.  Examples may include the use of offensive or abusive language or acting in an aggressive manner.

(3)          That it be agreed the order can remain in place for up to 3 years.

The Head of Regulatory Services and Community Safety submitted a report which asked Executive to decide whether to introduce a PSPO in Banbury town centre. A consultation was recently undertaken on a proposal to introduce a new Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) for Banbury town centre. The report set out the background to the proposal, a summary of the consultation undertaken and the feedback from stakeholders and the details of the potential scope of the Order.

In considering the report, Executive members noted the support for the PSPO during the public consultation, commended and thanked the Community Wardens for the work they undertook and noted the importance of a joined-up approach.

Resolved

(1)          That it be agreed to introduce a Public Spaces Protection Order for Banbury town centre taking into consideration the outcomes of the public consultation and the feedback received from stakeholders.

(2)          That it be agreed that the basis of the order will be items below, which were included in the scope of the PSPO consulted on and the order will apply to the area set within the red border on the map as set out in the Annex to the Minutes (as set out in the Minute Book).

·         No begging within 10 metres of a cash or payment machine or begging in a manner which is aggressive or intimidating or is likely to cause someone to feel harassed, alarmed or distressed

·         No person shall consume alcohol in the restricted area (other than in residential premises or premises specified in Section 62(1) of the Act) in a manner which causes nuisance or annoyance to other persons in the locality.

·         No person shall continue to consume alcohol when directed by an officer to stop in the restricted area.

·         No person shall fail to surrender alcohol or a container for alcohol when requested to do so by an officer in the restricted area.

·         No person shall cause harassment, alarm or distress to any individual(s) by committing antisocial behaviour.  Examples may include the use of offensive or abusive language or acting in an aggressive manner.

(3)          That it be agreed the order can remain in place for up to 3 years.

Reasons

The results of the consultation show overwhelming support for the introduction of a PSPO in Banbury Town Centre from the public and stakeholder organisations. The responses support including all three prohibitions that were included in the consultation.

Crime and incident data from the Police evidence supports the conclusion that prevalent and persistent problem of anti-social behaviour in and around Banbury town centre and that the legal requirements for the introduction of a PSPO are met. Therefore, the Executive is recommended to approve the introduction of the PSPO for Banbury town centre.

Alternative options

Option 1: Not introduce a PSPO.

This option is not recommended. The information gathered to support the introduction of a PSPO for Banbury town centre demonstrates that there is a persistent problem with ASB occurring in and around Banbury town centre. The consultation outcomes show very  ...  view the full minutes text for item 107