Further to Minute 653 of its meeting on 4 January 2022, the Committee received a report of the Executive Director (Neighbourhoods & Environment) that provided an evaluation of all the evidence of alleged anti-social behaviour on Thorpe Bay Gardens provided by residents, the Police and the Council’s Community Safety team since the introduction of a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) in 2019.

The report also provided a review of the covenant relating to the land bounded by the public highways (but not including the said public highway) of Thorpe Bay Esplanade and Thorpe Bay Gardens.

Having considered the views of the Traffic Regulations Working Party, it was:

Resolved:-

1. That the proposed traffic regulation order to amend the restrictions in Thorpe Bay Gardens not be progressed on the basis that there is no justification under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 to advertise and implement the proposals and is likely to be unlawful to do so.

2. That on the grounds that the reason for seeking the traffic regulation order was to address anti-social behaviour, the matter be referred to the Council’s Public Protection Working Party for consideration with a recommendation that the existing Public Spaces Protection Order (Southend Town Centre, Seafront and Adjoining Areas) No. 1 of 2019 be amended to include the specific prohibition of driving and parking on the green spaces within the designated area or that a new Public Spaces Protection Order be introduced to prohibit this.

Note: This is an Executive function

Eligible for call in to: Place Scrutiny Committee

Cabinet Member: Councillor Wakefield