Agenda item

Report by Community Protection Officer (attached).

The Committee considered a report by the Community Protection Officer (circulated previously) regarding consultation exercise to be undertaken on proposals for Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPO).

The Community Protection Officer highlighted the following:

·         The Anti-Social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014 gave Local Authorities and the Police more effective powers to deal with Anti-Social Behaviour.  Under this Act, the Council had additional powers available to address Anti-Social Behaviour associated with street based behaviour.

·         It was proposed that six towns and villages across North Devon would have areas covered by PSPOs namely: Barnstaple, Ilfracombe, Braunton, Croyde, Woolacombe and Combe Martin.

·         The proposed restriction of areas in Barnstaple and Ilfracombe would apply at all times.

·         The proposed restrictions in Braunton, Croyde, Combe Martin and Woolacombe would apply between 1 April and 30 September of each year.

·         The proposed restrictions detailed in paragraph 4.7 of the report.

·         The results of the consultation would be presented to the Committee and then Council in October 2020 for consideration.  Subject to approval, the PSPO would then be enacted.

In response to questions, the Community Protection Officer advised the following:

·         The Council had been made aware of the level of concern of some aspects of the community in relation to behaviour by the Police.  The proposed restrictions in Braunton, Croyde, Combe Martin and Woolacombe were for the summer months.  There were not a particular problem with drinking and public urination in Braunton, however it was anticipated that the area would become busier during the summer months and it had been considered appropriate to apply the restrictions to Braunton as it was a tourist destination and was located close to the coastal towns.

·         The proposed restrictions would not prevent social drinking on the beach.  It would only be in cases where the Police had been contacted regarding anti-social behaviour.

·         South Molton had been considered however neither the Police or Environmental Health had provided any evidence regarding anti-social behaviour.

·         The Government was currently undertaking consultation on the Vagrancy Act.  The term “aggressive begging” was used in relation to begging taking place when someone was vulnerable and paying for items such as a car parking ticket.

·         Consultation had already taken place with the Police and local homelessness support charities.  However, it was anticipated that a formal response would be received as part of the consultation process.

·         The Parish and Town Councils of the identified areas would be consulted as part of the consultation process.

·         The PSPO would enable police officers to deal with issues of anti-social behaviour quickly.

·         An explanation of terminology used would accompany the consultation questions.

·         That the consultation would also include reference to the services provided by the Council to homeless and vulnerable people.

Councillor Wilkinson requested that the issue of traders setting up stalls on pavements in coastal areas be investigated further with a view to actions that could be taken.

The Committee requested that a briefing be provided prior to a meeting of Council regarding the role of the Community Safety Partnership.