Agenda item

To receive a report from the Director of Housing and Communities which presents the responses from a recent consultation process undertaken, as approved by the Executive Member for Housing, Planning and Safer Communities on 2 September 2025, and to determine whether to re-introduce a PSPO covering Union Terrace, Clarence Gardens and The Groves.

Resolved – That, in accordance with Option 1 in paragraph 29 of the report, Executive approves:

a)   the reintroduction of the original PSPO as follows:

·      seizing alcohol where it is associated with anti-social behaviour that is impacting on the quality of life for people in that area; and

·      the ability to disperse large groups of three or more people who are causing ASB.

b)   a further detailed consultation relating to the following:

·      The ability to remove large groups of two or more people who are causing anti-social behaviour (as opposed to three or more as contained in the September report);

c)    Delegated authority for the Director of Housing and Communities to sign the PSPO on behalf of the Executive Member for Housing, Planning and Safer Neighbourhoods in conjunction with the Director of Governance (Monitoring Officer).

Reason: To ensure that the council actively addresses the issue of antisocial behaviour in York’s communities.

The Director of Housing and Communities submitted a report which presented the responses from a recent consultation process undertaken, as approved by the Executive Member for Housing, Planning and Safer Communities on 2 September 2025, and to determine whether to re-introduce a PSPO covering Union Terrace, Clarence Gardens and The Groves.

The following annexes were attached to the report:

-       Map highlighting proposed area of PSPO

-       List of comments received

-       Equalities Impact Assessment (EIA).

The following officers were in attendance:

-       Pauline Stuchfield, Director of Housing and Communities

-       Paul Morrison, Community Safety Manager.

The key areas of discussion were:

·      The Director of Housing and Communities advised that there was an amendment to be made in relation to recommendation a) to delete reference to the city walls.

·      The Leader of the Council sought clarification when the PSPOs could be implemented, if approved. It was advised that the PSPOs could be implemented quickly, mostly likely within a few days once signed off for approval.

·      The Leader of the Opposition Group reported that residents and businesses in areas such as Union Terrace and Clarence Gardens, needed more support and welcomed the proposals to make areas safer.

·      The Executive Member thanked officers for their hard work, particularly Jane Mowat, Head of Community Safety, who it was noted was retiring from the Council. Ward Councillors were also thanked for their feedback. It was reported that the PSPOs were discussed at an Executive Member Decision Session in September. It was agreed to go out for consultation and thanks to feedback from stakeholders, ward councillors and residents it was decided to extend the consultation into the new year. However, that left a situation in which the PSPO that had been running for many years in the Groves, Union Terrace, Clarence Gardens and in the city centre had lapsed and expired in August. The PSPOs were a valuable tool in helping to maintain the safety of residents, tourists, and those who used the city centre. Not to have one in place at all would have left agencies without an important tool to be able to act. The reason that it was important to act had been outlined in the report. 573 incidents this year of anti-social behaviour was an indicator that bad behaviour was not necessarily just from those people that lived in the city centre, but also from some of the more boisterous visitors. That it was important to have the ability to disperse groups and confiscate alcohol when needed.

Resolved (unanimously) – That, in accordance with Option 1 in paragraph 29 of the report, Executive approves:

a)   the reintroduction of the original PSPO as follows:

·      seizing alcohol where it is associated with anti-social behaviour that is impacting on the quality of life for people in that area; and

·      the ability to disperse large groups of three or more people who are causing ASB.

b)   a further detailed consultation relating to the following:

·      The ability to remove large groups of two or more people who are causing anti-social behaviour (as opposed to three or more as contained in the September report);

c)    Delegated authority for the Director of Housing and Communities to sign the PSPO on behalf of the Executive Member for Housing, Planning and Safer Neighbourhoods in conjunction with the Director of Governance (Monitoring Officer).

Reason: To ensure that the council actively addresses the issue of antisocial behaviour in York’s communities.

(Councillor Lomas joined the meeting at 5.00pm during the consideration of this item.)