Issue - meetings

For Cabinet to note (if any).

The Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee introduced the Scrutiny Call-In of the decision made by Cabinet, on 10 December 2024, on the Implementation of a Borough Wide PSPO back to Cabinet for reconsideration.

The Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee outlined receipt of deputations and the concerns of homelessness and the impact of the proposal on that cohort. It was suggested that there would be a lower likelihood of homelessness engagement because of the decision of Cabinet, which were linked to the recommendations of scrutiny one and two.

He raised concerns regarding penalising public urination due to severe shortage of toilet facilities and the lack of borough toilet strategy.

It was stressed by the Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee that not all Committee Members of Scrutiny felt that the report warranted referral to Cabinet, but explained that the Committee did present a majority to refer the decision to Cabinet.

The Cabinet Member for Communities gave a response. It was explained that there were approximately 780 reports per month received of the misuse of public spaces. It was stressed that Cabinet could not ignore these concerns and that the implementation of the Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) was important to the enhancement of public safety and reduce anti-social behaviour. The Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning, and Deputy Leader of the Council gave an additional explanation about the needs of homeless people. It was explained what services were available to demonstrate the work that was undertaken to outreach to homeless people within the borough. It was explained that homeless people were exempt from public urination rules, when there was no other alternative, and that the Council would not prosecute those with no other option.

It was explained that the Council was developing a Toilet Strategy, but stressed that the current lack of a strategy should not delay the implementation of the PSPO.

It was noted that the Council was working to outreach to homeless people in the borough through partnership work, which addressed the third recommendation.

In response to comments and questions from Cllr Arkell, the following information was shared:

• It was explained that there had been a detailed consultation undertaken and that engagement had impacted the implementation of the PSPO. It was noted that the Council had gathered a broad range of feedback and co-designed the priority areas as a result. Feedback gathered from over 200 groups, 1700 questionnaire responses were given. As a result of these responses, the policy was amended to reflect the suggestions proposed.

The Cabinet Member for Communities suggested the rejection of the recommendations given by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, and that the Cabinet adopt the original recommendation.

RESOLVED:

1.     Confirmed original decision of 10 December 2024 and rejected the recommendations suggested by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 14 January 2025.