Issue - meetings

The purpose of this report is to respond to the petition received regarding street dinking in Lowther Street, Penley Grove Street, Townend Street and the surrounding areas.

Resolved:  (i)      That Option 1 in the report be approved i.e. that

receipt of the petition be acknowledged and the ongoing work of the Council and its partners to, subject to the evidence supporting it, pursue a Public Space Protection Order for this area of The Groves be noted.

(ii)      That, with effect from 19 March 2015, Community Protection Notices be issued as appropriate.

Reason:     To ensure that the appropriate action is taken to ensure anti social behaviour is appropriately tackled within the city.

The Cabinet Member gave consideration to a report which responded to a petition that had been received regarding street drinking in Lowther Street, Penley Grove Street, Townend Street and surrounding areas.

The Cabinet Member gave consideration to the following options:

Option 1     Acknowledge receipt of the petition, note the ongoing work of the Council and its partners to collect the evidence and, subject to the evidence supporting it, pursue a Public Space Protection Order for this area of The Groves.

Option 2     Ask officers to consider other options to address the issues highlighted by the petition.

Officers stated that this was an ongoing problem and consideration had been given as to how to utilise the legislation that was available to address this issue.  There was a consultative process to go through and evidence gathering was taking place.

The Cabinet Member thanked the petitioners and speakers for their contribution.  She stated that the Police and other partners were working together to address the problem and that funding had been made available through the anti-social behaviour hub to support the enforcement work.  The Cabinet Member stated that it was also important to ensure that appropriate health and addiction support was in place for the street drinkers.

The Cabinet Member stated that she also intended to utilise the powers that had recently been made available to issue Community Protection Notices.

Resolved:  (i)      That Option 1 in the report be approved i.e. that

receipt of the petition be acknowledged and the ongoing work of the Council and its partners to, subject to the evidence supporting it, pursue a Public Space Protection Order for this area of The Groves be noted.

(ii)      That, with effect from 19 March 2015, Community Protection Notices be issued as appropriate.

Reason:     To ensure that the appropriate action is taken to ensure anti social behaviour is appropriately tackled within the city.