Agenda item

Decision:

1.                      Approve the draft Public Space Protection Order as set out in Appendix 2, to cover such areas and related restrictions as the Executive considers proportionate in line with Sections 59 to 75 of Anti-social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014.

2.                      Approve the proposed action plan set out in Appendix 3, which sets out the necessary actions to ensure the successful implementation, communication and enforcement of the PSPO.

Reason(s):

1.        The Council has demonstrated that it has undertaken the statutory process to be satisfied on reasonable grounds that:

1.1      activities that have taken place have had a detrimental effect on the quality of life of those in the localities identified, or it is likely that activities will take place and that they will have a detrimental effect; and

1.2      the effect or likely effect of these activities:

·        is, or is likely to be, persistent or continuing in nature;

·        is, or is likely to be, unreasonable; and

·        justifies the restrictions being imposed.

2.         The proposed extension of the PSPO offers an additional enforcement tool that is available to both the Council and the police to tackle low level anti-social behaviour.

Other options considered and rejected by the Executive:

1.       Renew the PSPO in its current format, without making any changes to the geographical boundary or further restrictions to behaviours.

2.       End the PSPO, without renewal. There would no longer be the behavioural restrictions relating to alcohol, rowdy and inconsiderate behaviour in Guildford town centre.

Details of any conflict of interest declared by the Leader or lead councillors and any dispensation granted:

None.

Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs) provided local authorities with a flexible tool to redress persistent anti-social behaviour that negatively impacts community spaces.  The Executive considered a report that set out the statutory process that had been followed to review whether the Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) was still required in Guildford and made recommendations for a variation to the existing PSPO in line with the findings from the review.

The wording in certain parts of the order raised some concern. It was explained that the Order was worded in such a way as to allow a flexible judgement to be made by officers as circumstances arose at the scene. Overall, Executive was content that the wording was suitable, was pleased to see a balanced approach had been taken and the inclusion of Black Cat Alley in the PSPO map was welcomed.

Executive,

RESOLVED:

1.                      Approve the draft Public Space Protection Order as set out in Appendix 2, to cover such areas and related restrictions as the Executive considers proportionate in line with Sections 59 to 75 of Anti-social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014.

2.                      Approve the proposed action plan set out in Appendix 3, which sets out the necessary actions to ensure the successful implementation, communication and enforcement of the PSPO.

Reason(s):

1.        The Council has demonstrated that it has undertaken the statutory process to be satisfied on reasonable grounds that:

1.1      activities that have taken place have had a detrimental effect on the quality of life of those in the localities identified, or it is likely that activities will take place and that they will have a detrimental effect; and

1.2      the effect or likely effect of these activities:

·        is, or is likely to be, persistent or continuing in nature;

·        is, or is likely to be, unreasonable; and

·        justifies the restrictions being imposed.

2.         The proposed extension of the PSPO offers an additional enforcement tool that is available to both the Council and the police to tackle low level anti-social behaviour.