Agenda item - St James Court Public Space Protection Order - Consultation Summary

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

23.1    The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director, Neighbourhoods and Communities and Housing which provided feedback on the statutory consultation which had been carried out regarding the proposed St. James’ Court Public Space Protection Order.

23.2    It was noted that using powers under the Anti-Social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014 a local authority could make a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) as a measure to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour. PSPO’s required or prohibited certain activities from taking place in certain places in order to prevent or prohibit certain activities from taking place in certain places in order to prevent or reduce the impact of those activities on local people. The following criteria must be met in relation to the behaviour being restricted:

·         having a detrimental effect on the quality of life of those in the locality;

·         be persistent or continuous;

·         be unreasonable; and

·         justify the restrictions being imposed

23.3    During the consultation period, no responses had been received from the public because those directly affected (occupants of nearby properties), had already provided supportive testimony as part of the pre-consultation process; no views in opposition to the proposal were received. Alternative interventions – aside from access restriction had been considered, but, because of the nature of the activities taking place, and the role that that alleyway had in that, no other approach had been identified which would resolve matters effectively and it was therefore recommended that a Protection Order be granted.

23.4    RESOLVED - That the Committee gives approval to the grant of the proposed St James’ Court Public Space Protection Order as set out in Appendix 1 to the report.