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City of York Council |
Committee Minutes |
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Meeting |
Decision Session - Executive Member for Housing and Safer Neighbourhoods |
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Date |
19 May 2022 |
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Present |
Councillor Craghill (Executive Member) |
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18. Declarations of Interest
The Executive Member was asked to declare at this point in the meeting any disclosable pecuniary interests or other registrable interests that she might have in the business on the agenda, if she had not already done so in advance on the Register of Interests. None were declared.
19. Minutes
Resolved: That the minutes of the previous meetings held on 17 February 2022 and 17 March 2022 be approved and signed as a correct record by the Executive Member.
20. Public Participation
It was reported that there had been no registrations to speak at the meeting under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme.
21. Consultation Outcome - Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) within the City Walls
The Executive Member considered a report that highlighted the responses from the recent consultation process, to determine whether to introduce a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) within the city walls. The decision to undertake consultation regarding a potential PSPO was developed jointly in conjunction with North Yorkshire Police.
The Head of Community Safety was in attendance to present the report and she confirmed that:
· It was anticipated that anti-social behaviour (ASB) levels would increase over the spring/summer period 2022.
· The council had received 78 responses to the survey and 93% supported the reinstatement of a PSPO.
· A PSPO would give the police and the council additional powers to stop individuals or groups from carrying out specific types of anti-social behaviour.
· The PSPO would enable police officers to seize alcohol where it was associated with anti-social behaviour that was impacting on the quality of life for people in that area.
During discussion of the item, and in answer to questions raised, it was noted that:
· In response to the question, “have you experienced ASB within the city centre in the past 12 months?,” 81% replied that they had not.
· The city walls provided a very clear boundary for the police.
· PSPO boundaries were reviewed and could be extended, should displacement occur.
The Executive Member agreed that the PSPO would protect the core shopping area and residential areas within the city centre. She noted that York city centre was generally a very safe place but that there was a minority of people who behaved in an unacceptable way. The Executive Member emphasized that this was not about banning drinking but enabling police officers to seize alcohol where it was associated with anti-social behaviour. She also noted that a PSPO was one of many tools available to tackle issues of ASB and was not used in isolation, but formed part of a multi-agency delivery plan.
Resolved: That Option 1 be approved – The introduction of a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) within the city walls, to include:
· Seizing alcohol where it is associated with anti-social behaviour that is impacting on the quality of life for people in that area.
· Setting the amount of any Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) at £100, which would be reduced to £75 if paid within the first 14 days.
· Delegated authority for the Director of Environment, Transport and Planning to sign the PSPO on behalf of the Executive Member for Housing and Safer Neighbourhoods in conjunction with Legal Services.
Reason: To ensure that the council actively addresses the issue of anti-social behaviour in our communities.
22. Consultation Outcome - Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) for Union Terrace and Clarence Gardens
The Executive Member considered a report that highlighted the responses from the recent consultation process, to determine whether to introduce a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) for the Union Terrace and Clarence Gardens area. The decision to undertake consultation regarding a potential PSPO was developed jointly in conjunction with North Yorkshire Police.
The Community Safety Manager was in attendance to provide an update and he confirmed that:
· The council had received 168 responses to the survey.
· 82% of respondents confirmed they had experienced anti-social behaviour (ASB) in the Union Terrace Car Park and Clarence Street area, 90% agreed to controls on drinking alcohol outdoors and 92% were in favour of removing large groups of 3 or more people who were causing anti-social behaviour.
· A number of respondents were concerned that the area was not large enough and could displace ASB to other areas. Following consultation with the multi-agency group tackling the issues in this area, it was agreed to extend the area covered by the PSPO.
The Executive Member noted the number of responses to the consultation and the concerns raised regarding displacement of ASB. Although she welcomed the extended area, she requested that the PSPO also included Gillygate and part of Bootham. The Executive Member confirmed that the council had spent over £1.6m on alcohol and drug rehabilitation services and that a PSPO formed part of a multi-agency delivery plan to tackle issues of ASB.
Resolved: That Option 1 be approved – The introduction of a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) within the Union Terrace and Clarence Gardens area, to include:
· Seizing alcohol where it is associated with anti-social behaviour (ASB) that is impacting on the quality of life for people in that area.
· The ability to disperse large groups of 3 or more people who are causing ASB.
· Extending the area covered to include the area bordered by the railway line and the River Foss, including Gillygate and a section of Bootham.
· Setting the amount of any Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) at £100, which would be reduced to £75 if paid within the first 14 days.
· Delegated authority for the Director of Environment, Transport and Planning to sign the PSPO on behalf of the Executive Member for Housing and Safer Neighbourhoods in conjunction with Legal Services.
Reason: To ensure that the council actively addresses the issue of munbyanti-social behaviour in our communities.
Cllr Craghill, Executive Member
[The meeting started at 10.00am and finished at 10.16am].