Cabinet Agenda Item No. 3 refers

Referred direct to the Scrutiny Committee

Report of the Executive Director (Neighbourhoods and Environment) to follow.

The Committee considered Agenda Item 3 of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 5 July 2021, which had been referred directly to the Policy and Resources Scrutiny Committee, together with a report of the Executive Director (Environment and Neighbourhoods) that set out the response to the public consultation findings regarding the proposals for a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) in the areas of Old Leigh and Chalkwell.

The Cabinet Member for Public Protection undertook to provide written responses to questions raised by members of the Committee, with regard to the number and nature of cancelled Fixed Penalty Notices for PSPOs, action that could be taken in instances where false details were provided for Fixed Penalty Notices, and the legislative basis for action that could be taken by the Council’s officers in the enforcement of a PSPO.

Resolved:

That the following decisions of the Cabinet be noted:

“1. That the response to the consultation set out at Appendix 2 to the submitted report, be noted.

2. That the draft Public Spaces Protection Order (Leigh-on-Sea and Chalkwell Seafront and Adjoining Areas) No. 1 of 2021, be approved and implemented.

3. That the funding for 2 x FTE Community Safety Officers and 1 x FTE Community Safety Caseworker, to support enforcement and administration of the PSPO on an initial 12 month basis, be approved.”

Note: This is an Executive Function

Cabinet Member: Councillor M Terry

Report of the Executive Director (Neighbourhoods and Environment) to follow

The Cabinet considered a report of the Executive Director (Neighbourhoods and Environment) setting out the response to the public consultation findings regarding the proposals for a Public Spaces Protection Order in the areas of Old Leigh and Chalkwell.

Resolved:

1. That the response to the consultation set out at Appendix 2 to the submitted report, be noted.

2. That the draft Public Spaces Protection Order (Leigh-on-Sea and Chalkwell Seafront and Adjoining Areas) No. 1 of 2021, be approved and implemented.

3. That the funding for 2 x FTE Community Safety Officers and 1 x FTE Community Safety Caseworker, to support enforcement and administration of the PSPO on an initial 12 month basis, be approved.

Reason for decision:

During the past summer season (2020), and already earlier this year, a growing number of anti-social behaviour issues associated with public space drinking have been reported.  Since the start of 2021, police have implemented four Dispersal Orders to deal with large groups and Anti-Social behaviour.  The introduction of a PSPO targeted at behaviours associated with public space drinking would be a further additional measure to tackle the current challenges.

Other options:

Not to proceed with the Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) for the Old Leigh/Chalkwell area.

Note: This is an Executive Function

Referred direct to: Policy and Resources Scrutiny Committee

Cabinet Member: Cllr Terry