Agenda item

The Council’s existing Public Space Protection Orders (PSPO) for the control of alcohol in specified roads in Northumberland Park expires on 18 October 2023. Initial indications from the Police, Councillors and other community representatives are that there is an appetite to consider varying and possibly expanding the conditions of the PSPO to address other behaviours that are having a detrimental impact on the community.

It was expected it will take approximately 12 months to fully investigate the issues that have been raised and undertake full, meaningful consultation and co- production of any future PSPO prohibitions.

To ensure that the community does not lose the protection afforded by the existing PSPO conditions whilst this process is undertaken, it is proposed to extend the existing PSPO for a period 18 months, to 30 April 2025.

The consultation for the extension of an existing PSPO is simplified as it seeks to capture whether the extension is supported by the community and partner agencies, or not.

Approval is being sought to consult on the extension of this PSPO for a 5-week period from 16 August to 20 September 2023. The consultation will be available online and subject to targeted promotion to partner agencies, key community representatives, groups and forums.

Note that following Ward name and boundary changes the Ward information has been updated. The restricted locations remain unchanged.

The Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Cohesion RESOLVED

1. To ratify the decision of the Director of Environment and Resident Experience to consult on the extension of the existing Northumberland Park alcohol control PSPO as set out in Appendix A of the report.

2. To note that following the consultation a further report will be submitted to Cabinet Member for a decision on extending the PSPO.

Reasons for decision

A Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) sets clear conditions for the use of specified public areas and enables officers authorised by the Council and Police Officers to engage individuals and educate them about their responsibilities.

The existing alcohol control PSPO in specified roads and locations enable authorised officers to require a person who is drinking alcohol or carrying alcohol in an open container to either surrender their alcohol, pour it away or not to continue to drink the alcohol. If an individual fails to comply with the request without reasonable excuse they commit an offence and are liable on summary conviction to a fine of up to £500, or they have the opportunity to discharge their liability for prosecution by accepting a Fixed Penalty Notice of £100.

If the PSPO conditions were to expire it would be necessary to remove all related signage and it is likely that the issues they were originally introduced to address would recur.

The expiration of the PSPO would also limit the options for officers authorised by the Council and Police officers to take action to address behaviours linked to the consumption of alcohol have a detrimental effect on the local community through early intervention and preventative approaches.

Despite some reduction, incidents of alcohol related (Anti-Social Behaviour) ASB still occurs. There are seasonal increases in reports of activity which suggests a need for the PSPO to remain in place. Local residents, businesses and other stakeholders continue to express concern about alcohol related ASB. The reports received from residents and business include that groups of men and women, drink alcohol, break glass bottles, throw litter and waste on the ground, including urinate in the area.

The enforcement service regularly receives reports about alcohol related ASB. It was not unusual for the reports to include other ASB activities. As a result, reports are often logged under other (drugs, litter, noise) ASB categories which can make pulling accurate Alcohol consumption related ASB data challenging.

Alternative options considered

Not to consult or extend the PSPO.

This option is not recommended as it is likely the behaviours that it was originally introduced to deter will recur, as outlined in 3.1 to 3.5 above, having a detrimental effect on the local community.