Issue - meetings

AGREED that Cabinet:

(a)    approve the draft Public Spaces Protection Orders, as set out in the report, to be issued for the first stage public consultation for a period of 6 weeks; and

(b)   delegated authority be given to the Director of Communities and Environment in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Public Protection & Community Relations, to approve amendments from the first stage consultation to be made to the final draft order to be issued for the final 4 week consultation period.

The Business Manager – Public Protection presented a report which outlined to Cabinet the existing Public Space Protection Orders in place, their end dates and draft Orders for first stage public consultation. With some of the current orders ending in 2024, it was proposed to put in place a number of orders in place across the District. The proposed orders (District Wide Dog Control; Fire Control – Vicar Water and Sconce and Devon; Alcohol Controls; Dispersal; and Restriction of Vehicles – Eakring Road) were included as appendices to the report. Following the first public consultation stage, comments and amendments would be considered, ahead of a further four week consultation, with final orders being brought back to the Cabinet for final approval. It was planned that the orders would become effective in June 2024 and remain in place for three years.

AGREED (unanimously) that Cabinet:

a)         approve the draft Public Spaces Protection Orders, as set out in the report, to be issued for the first stage public consultation for a period of 6 weeks; and

b)         give delegated authority to the Director of Communities and Environment in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Public Protection & Community Relations, to approve amendments from the first stage consultation to be made to the final draft order to be issued for the final 4 week consultation period.

Reasons for Decision:

The implementation of PSPOs within Newark and Sherwood aligns with the Community Plan objective to Reduce Crime and Anti-Social Behaviour.

Options Considered:

·  Do nothing – a number of orders that are due to end in 2024 would not be renewed in time and would lapse. This would mean there would be no controls in place and no enforcement action could be taken.

·  Reduce the number of orders – This would reduce the ability for enforcement action to be taken in certain areas where ASB is causing an issue.

Increase the number of orders – PSPOs can only be placed where there is a justification and evidence to support. They must also be enforceable.