Agenda item - Review of parks and open spaces Public Places Protection Order

Report of the Executive Director, Neighbourhoods, Communities and Housing (copy attached)

73.1    The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director, Neighbourhoods, Communities and Housing, the purpose of which was to consider the effectiveness of the Parks and Open Spaces Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) which had been implemented in April 2017 under section 59 of the Anti-Social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014. The report documented the proactive approach taken by the council in monitoring the Parks and Open Spaces PSPO which would be in place until January 2020.

73.2    It was noted that PSPO’s were intended to be used  to deal with a particular nuisance or problem in an area that was detrimental to the local communities quality of life by imposing conditions on the use of an area which applied to everyone and were designed to ensure people could use and enjoy public spaces safe from anti-social behaviour and the order had been drawn up covering the areas identified in the report where there had been substantial evidence of anti-social behaviour.

73.3    Councillors Meadows and Moonan welcomed this initiative and sought further confirmation regarding the approach used to address issues which arose as a result of an increasing number of people occupying tents rather than sleeping rough and whether  there was an evidence to suggest that that the PSPO had resulted in displacement. It was explained that as a result of joint working between the police and council officers’ people had received appropriate support to enable them to move on from areas where anti-social behaviour had been reported. Where possible, individuals had been placed in accommodation or reconnected to support areas outside of the city in instances where they had no local connection. Whilst there had been concerns that displacement would occur this did not appear to have been the case.

73.4    In answer to further questions from Councillor West it was confirmed that in relation to PSPO sites and unauthorised encampments, officers had carried out welfare checks and advised those there that a PSPO was in place. In instances where people were in breach and had not moved on warning letters had been issued and in the majority of cases, combined with the option of moving on to a transit site where appropriate had enabled unauthorised encampments to be moved where no other welfare issues were involved.

73.5    Members commended the report and the work that had been undertaken.

73.6    RESOLVED – That the Committee notes the review undertaken in relation to the impact and enforcement of the Parks and Open Spaces PSPO as set out in the report.