Issue - meetings

Public Spaces Protection Orders (‘PSPOs’) were introduced by section 59 of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 (this section came into force on 20 October 2014). PSPOs are an order created in relation to areas within the local authority’s jurisdiction, where activities are taking place that are, or are likely to be, detrimental to the local community’s quality of life. PSPOs impose conditions or restrictions on people within that area. A Breach of a PSPO is an offence punishable by a fixed penalty notice and/or prosecution in the Magistrates Court. There are currently two schemes in existence that have converted into PSPOs:

• Designated Public Place Orders (DPPOs) in Chatham, Gillingham, Rochester and Strood (also known as ‘alcohol control zones’);
• Dog Control Order.

These orders all expire on 19 October 2020 and this report covers the outcomes of the public consultations carried out seeking views on their renewal.

Discussion:

This report proposed approval of the extension for a further 3 years of the existing four town centre and two dog control PSPOs. It set out that Public Spaces Protection Orders (‘PSPOs’) had been introduced by section 59 of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014. This followed consideration of the report by the Cabinet on 22 September 2020.

The report stated that Medway’s approach to anti-social behaviour had led to a reduction in the number of incidents of Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) across Medway. However, there was a determination to reduce incidents of ASB further, particularly as Kent Police continued to receive complaints from residents, visitors and local businesses across Medway about unreasonable ASB.

The report advised that the PSPOs were all due to expire on 19 October 2020 and summarised responses to the public consultations carried out to seek views on their renewal.

The Portfolio Holder for Resources, Councillor Gulvin, supported by the Portfolio Holder for Education and Schools, Councillor Potter, proposed the recommendations set out in the report.

Decision:

The Council approved of the extension for a further 3 years of the existing four town centre and two dog control PSPOs (not varied or discharged).

Councillors Bowler, Cooper, Curry, Howcroft-Scott, Maple, Murray, Osborne, Paterson, Prenter and Price requested that their votes in favour of the decision be recorded in accordance with Council Rule 12.6.

Background

This report set out that Public Spaces Protection Orders (‘PSPOs’) had been introduced by section 59 of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014. The orders were created in relation to areas within the local authority’s jurisdiction, where activities were taking place that were, or were likely to be, detrimental to the local community’s quality of life. PSPOs imposed conditions or restrictions on people within that area. A Breach of a PSPO was an offence punishable by a fixed penalty notice and/or prosecution in the Magistrates Court.

There were currently two schemes in existence that had converted into PSPOs.

• Designated Public Place Orders (DPPOs) in Chatham, Gillingham, Rochester and Strood (also known as ‘alcohol control zones’)
• A Dog Control Order.

The report stated that Medway’s approach to anti-social behaviour had led to a reduction in the number of incidents of Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) across Medway. However, there was a determination to reduce incidents of ASB further, particularly as Kent Police continued to receive complaints from residents, visitors and local businesses across Medway about unreasonable ASB.

The report advised that the PSPOs were all due to expire on 19 October 2020 and summarised responses to the public consultations carried out to seek views on their renewal.

Reasons:

The extension of the PSPOs should help to significantly reduce incidents of relevant ASB in the areas over the long-term and improve the quality of life for residents, visitors and local businesses.