Issue - meetings

Report of Assistant Director – Regulatory Services and Community Safety

Purpose of Report

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

The proposed PSPO will contribute towards the delivery of the council objective to “work with partners to reduce crime and antisocial behaviour” within the Healthy, Resilient and Engaged Communities priority. A reduction in anti-social behaviour in the town centre will also contribute towards the Enterprising Economy with Strong and Vibrant Local Centres priority. Tackling anti-social behaviour was also identified as one of the priorities for the council in the last residents survey.

Recommendations

The meeting is recommended:

1.1       To introduce a Public Spaces Protection Order for Bicester town centre taking into consideration the outcomes of the public consultation and partner organisations’ views.

Resolved

(1)          That, having given due consideration to the outcomes of the public consultation and partner organisations’ views, a Public Spaces Protection Order for Bicester town centre be introduced.

The Assistant Director – Regulatory Services and Community Safety submitted a report regarding a proposal to introduce a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) for Bicester Town Centre.

A consultation was recently undertaken on a proposal to introduce a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) for Bicester town centre. The report provided the background to the proposal, a summary of the consultation undertaken and the feedback from key stakeholders and details of the potential scope of the Order. Executive was requested to decide whether to introduce a PSPO in Bicester Town Centre.

The proposed PSPO will contribute towards the delivery of the council objective to “work with partners to reduce crime and antisocial behaviour” within the Healthy, Resilient and Engaged Communities priority. A reduction in anti-social behaviour in the town centre will also contribute towards the Enterprising Economy with Strong and Vibrant Local Centres priority. Tackling anti-social behaviour was also identified as one of the priorities for the council in the last residents survey.

Resolved

(1)          That, having given due consideration to the outcomes of the public consultation and partner organisations’ views, a Public Spaces Protection Order for Bicester town centre be introduced.

Reasons

The results of the consultation show overwhelming support for the introduction of a PSPO in Bicester 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 Bicester 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 (subject to any minor amendments advised by the council’s solicitors to ensure the order will be effective).

Alternative options

Option 1: Not introduce a PSPO.

This option is not recommended. Crime and incident data from the Police evidence supports the conclusion that prevalent and persistent problem relating to anti-social behaviour in and around Bicester town centre. The consultation outcomes show strong support for the introduction of a PSPO to tackle this problem and stakeholders, including Thames Valley Police, also support the proposal.

Option 2: Introduce a PSPO of more limited scope.

This option is not recommended. The consultation outcomes show support for all aspects of the proposal PSPO and there is data and evidence which justifies the inclusion of all the proposed prohibitions if a PSPO is to be introduced.