Referred direct by Cabinet

The Committee considered Minute 64 of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 1 July 2022, which had been referred directly to the Committee for scrutiny, together with a report of the Executive Director (Strategy, Change and Governance) proposing the extension of the Southend Town Centre, Seafront and Adjoining Areas Public Spaces Protection Order (“the PSPO”) for three years, to include the proposed variations identified in the report under Section 59 of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 (“the Act”) taking into consideration the results of statutory consultation and further evidence as detailed in the report.

In response to questions from members of the Committee, the Cabinet Member for Public Protection confirmed that he would be willing to consider the extension of the scope of the PSPO to incorporate the ‘green’ area between Queensway and Stanley Road, that had received the general support of councillors when the proposed extension of the PSPO had been considered by the Committee in March 2022. The Cabinet Member also undertook to investigate the possibility of establishing PSPO controls in areas of South Essex Homes’ properties across the City and to consider the adoption of additional enforcement powers where appropriate.

The Cabinet Member for Public Protection undertook to provide a written response to a question raised by a member of the Committee, with regard to the current and future planned level of officer resources within the Council’s Community Safety Teams.

Resolved:

That the following decisions of the Cabinet be noted:

“1. That the Council varies the Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) over the restricted area in the form annexed at Appendix A and plan at Appendix B to the submitted report and extend it to run for a further three years.

2. That the Director of Public Protection, in consultation with the Director of Legal Services, explore further options for authorising third parties, including South Essex Property Services (SEPS), to enforce the PSPO and take the necessary steps to implement and ensure that training is provided in accordance with the enforcement policy at Appendix C of the submitted report.

3. That the Council extends the Drinking Control Area to include the Queensway Estate.”

Note: This is an Executive Function

Cabinet Member: Councillor M Terry

Report of Interim Executive Director (Strategy, Change & Governance)

The Cabinet received a report of the Executive Director (Strategy, Change and Governance) proposing the extension of the Southend Town Centre, Seafront and Adjoining Areas Public Spaces Protection Order (“the PSPO”) for three years and to include the proposed variations identified in this report under Section 59 of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 (“the Act”) taking into consideration the results of the statutory consultation and further evidence as detailed in this report.

Resolved:

1. That the Council varies the Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) over the restricted area in the form annexed at Appendix A and plan at Appendix B to the submitted report and extend it to run for a further three years.

2. That the Director of Public Protection, in consultation with the Director of Legal Services, explore further options for authorising third parties, including South Essex Property Services (SEPS), to enforce the PSPO and take the necessary steps to implement and ensure that training is provided in accordance with the enforcement policy at Appendix C of the submitted report.

3. That the Council extends the Drinking Control Area to include the Queensway Estate.

Reasons for Decisions

A PSPO covering the Town Centre, Seafront, Southchurch Hall Gardens,

Hamlet Court Road and York Road is believed to be an appropriate additional tool to tackle persistent and unreasonable anti-social behaviour (“ASB”) which is taking place. It can help provide realistic and proportionate enforceability to help reduce the ASB which discourages and prevents the law-abiding majority from feeling safe in, and subsequently using and enjoying, these public spaces.

The overwhelming majority of respondents to the Consultation supported the necessity and continuation of the PSPO including the New Restrictions

The Council considers that the requirements in S.59 of the 2014 Act are met and that the prohibitions are reasonable ones

Other Options

The Council could choose not to continue with the PSPO, however, this would lose the opportunity to continue this measure to tackle ASB which is having a damaging effect on our City Centre, Seafront and other areas identified in this report. Additionally, following the support of the PSPO that has been displayed in the consultation, choosing to not implement the Order could negatively impact the reputation of the Council within the communities worst affected by the ASB.

Alternatively, the Council could retain the current PSPO and not include the additional restrictions concerning cycling and e-scooters, or not extend the Drinking Control Zones as proposed at Queensway and adjacent to the Seaway car park.

Note: This is an Executive function

Referred direct to Policy & Resources Scrutiny Committee for consideration

Cabinet Member: Cllr Terry