Issue - meetings

On 13th March 2019, Cabinet agreed to bring into force all seven measures that were subject to public consultation for the new proposed Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) for implementation in June 2019. This report provides information on how the PSPO will be implemented through a series of working protocols, attached, and a copy of the final order with boundary maps that require sealing is also attached.

On 13th March 2019, Cabinet agreed to bring into force all seven measures that were subject to public consultation for the new proposed Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) for implementation in June 2019. The report provided information on how the PSPO would be implemented through a series of working protocols, attached, and a copy of the final order with boundary maps that require sealing was also attached.

The Cabinet members had been provided with a document setting out the amended wording for each of the Measures. These changes were:

Measures 1 – 4:

Authorised Officers: Text will be changed to “Authorised officers (including KentPolice and FHDC’s Community Safety team) will assess any intervention on a case by case basis (paragraph to continue as per report).

Measures 5 – 7:

Authorised Officers: Text will be changed to “Authorised officers (including Kent Police and FHDC’s Environmental Protection and Enforcement team) will assess any intervention on a case by case basis (paragraph to continue as per report).

The report had also been considered by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee at their meeting on 18 June 2019. Their comments had been circulated to Cabinet Members at the meeting.  The Cabinet Members considered the recommendation from the Committee that Measure 7 of the PSPO report include the wording “This measure is not designed to target genuinely homeless, vulnerable people”, and that a review report be taken to the Committee after one year of the new PSPO being operational. 

Proposed by Councillor Mrs Hollingsbee,

Seconded by Councillor Peall; and

RESOLVED:

1.        That report C/19/04 be received and noted.

2.        That the final worded order be agreed, subject to the addition of the words in the working protocol for measure 7 “this measure is not designed to target genuinely homeless, vulnerable people” prior to sealing by the Council, and that a review report be brought to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee after one year of the new PSPO being operational.

3.        That the working protocols attached to support the implementation of the PSPO, and the desired data collection to accompany activity, be agreed.

(Voting figures: 7 for, 0 against, 0 abstentions).

REASONS FOR DECISION:

Cabinet was asked to agree the recommendations set out below because:

a)           The current PSPO expires in June 2019 and would be replaced by the new PSPO as agreed by Cabinet on 13^th March 2019.

b)        The Council has agreed to introduce a new PSPO to address Antisocial  Behaviour associated with 7 specific behaviours as set out in report number C/18 /78

b)           The working protocols attached demonstrate how the PSPO will be employed alongside other approaches as part of a broad and balanced method of dealing with antisocial behaviour issues. As part of the PSPO process, non-statutory solutions, delivered in partnership with community, charity or membership organisations will be equally valid in the right circumstances.