Decision details
Notice of Motion: No Overnight Camping in the Borough
Decision Maker: Cabinet
Decision status: For Determination
Is Key decision?: No
Is subject to call in?: Yes
Decision:
The Cabinet considered a report of Executive Director (Neighbourhoods and Environment) which had been prepared in response to the Notice of Motion, presented to the last meeting of Council, concerning no overnight camping in the Borough.
Resolved:
1. That the proposed Notice of Motion and the current inability of either the Council or the police to enforce a Public Spaces Protection Order as set out in the Notice of Motion, be noted.
2. That the current process by which the Council and Essex Police approach traveller sites/the traveller community in the Borough continues to be supported.
Other options
None
Reasons for Recommendations
Introducing a Borough wide PSPO to prohibit overnight camping (primarily aimed at the traveller community) would be extremely difficult to secure and to enforce. The PSPO process in itself is a lengthy process which involves wide stakeholder and public consultation. Furthermore, courts across the nation rarely allow, if ever, locality wide PSPO prohibitions. Locality wide PSPO’s if being considered are often rigorously challenged by various groups such as Liberty.
Note: This is an Executive Function
Eligible for call-in to: Policy and Resources Scrutiny Committee
Cabinet Member: Cllr Terry
Publication date: 31/07/2020
Date of decision: 28/07/2020
Decided at meeting: 28/07/2020 - Cabinet
Effective from: 08/08/2020
This decision has been called in by:
- Councillor Tony Cox who writes for consideration by the Policy & Resources Scrutiny Committee"
- Councillor Meg Davidson who writes for consideration by the Policy & Resources Scrutiny Committee"
Accompanying Documents: