Issue - meetings

Report of Assistant Director Regulatory Services & Community Safety

Purpose of report

The Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) for Banbury town centre lapsed in December 2022. Following conversations with Thames Valley Police proposals have been developed for a revised PSPO for Banbury. This paper outlines those proposals and seeks agreement from the Executive to commence a public consultation on introducing a new PSPO for Banbury 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 is also consistently identified as a priority in residents surveys.

Recommendations

The meeting is recommended to:

1.1       Agree that the Council will commence a public consultation on the introduction of a new PSPO for Banbury town centre as outlined in this paper.

Resolved

(1)          That it be agreed that Cherwell District Council will commence a public consultation on the introduction of a new Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) for Banbury town centre covering the area shown in the annex to the Minutes (as set out in the Minute Book) and including the prohibitions as outlined in the annex to the Minutes (as set out in the Minute Book).

The Assistant Director Regulatory Services and Community Safety submitted a report which advised that the Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) for Banbury town centre had lapsed in December 2022. Following conversations with Thames Valley Police, proposals had been developed for a revised PSPO for Banbury. The report outlined the proposals and sought Executive agreement to commence a public consultation on introducing a new PSPO for Banbury town centre.

The proposed PSPO would 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 would also contribute towards the Enterprising Economy with Strong and Vibrant Local Centres priority. Tackling anti-social behaviour was also consistently identified as a priority in residents surveys.

Resolved

(1)          That it be agreed that Cherwell District Council will commence a public consultation on the introduction of a new Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) for Banbury town centre covering the area shown in the annex to the Minutes (as set out in the Minute Book) and including the prohibitions as outlined in the annex to the Minutes (as set out in the Minute Book).

Reasons

Discussions with the Police and Banbury Town Council confirmed that there is support for a further PSPO for Banbury town centre. Limitations with the previous PSPO led to a decision not to seek to renew that Order. A new PSPO has been developed addressing those limitations and encompassing a wider geographic area to support the work of the Council and partners in tackling Anti-Social Behaviour.

In order to introduce a new PSPO for Banbury town centre it is necessary to undertake a public consultation on the proposals. Therefore, it is recommended that a consultation is undertaken on the proposed new PSPO, with the outcome of the consultation informing the proposals that are then further reviewed by the Executive before a final decision is made on any new PSPO for Banbury town centre.

Alternative options

Option 1: To not seek to introduce a new PSPO for Banbury town centre. Key stakeholders have indicated that they support the introduction of a new PSPO and therefore this option has been rejected.

Option 2: Re-issue the PSPO with no changes. Given that the previous PSPO has lapsed a public consultation would be required to reintroduce it. Since it is recognised that the previous PSPO could be improved, this option is option was rejected.