Agenda item

Members discussed recommendations for the adoption of the Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO), which tackles anti-social behaviour and regulates alcohol consumption in Thanet District. The PSPO was introduced to tackle anti-social behaviour, as well as public disorder related to alcohol consumption in public places. Kent Police also requested this Order.

This included anti-social group congregations, misuse of public space, using foul or abusive language, excreting bodily fluids, street drinking, public intoxication, and disturbances caused by alcohol-related activities, and the PSPO had been successful in reducing these issues thereby improving the safety and well-being of the community. This included the new submissions of the use of legal psychoactive substances and intoxicants and inappropriate harmful and degrading related activity. The PSPO also allowed alcohol to be confiscated and disposed of without the need for a Fixed Penalty Notice being issued. Education and communication were also key to reducing such instances and their recurrence. The PSPO also allowed anti-social behaviour to be tackled with education and communication prior to enforcement.

The recommended combining of the ASB and Alcohol PSPO would allow Thanet to be covered with the PSPO restrictions in the four main urban areas, Ramsgate, Margate, Broadstairs and Birchington and allow the previously location based restricted ASB PSPO, covering Margate and Ramsgate, to be geographically expanded. This would allow education and enforcement of the PSPO to take place within the designated area and ‘hot spot’ areas to be tackled more effectively. Officers in the Community Safety Team would continue to monitor the effectiveness of the Order and assess the potential for any necessary adjustments to ensure it remained an effective tool in regulating ASB and alcohol consumption in public places. This would mean that this PSPO would be initially introduced for the period of one year.

The team would also continue to work closely with the Police and other partners to ensure consistent education and enforcement of the Order. The Council was committed to creating a safer and healthier community for residents and visitors. Extending the PSPO would support this goal and combat anti-social behaviour, public disorder and alcohol related negative behaviour in public spaces for the benefit of all.

Members were asked to note that an amendment to the Order as published was proposed in restriction 3 of the proposed order, which concerned using foul language. In this restriction, it was proposed the words, ‘offence and upset’ were removed from the version of the order that had been published. This was so that the restriction imposed was the least restrictive to achieve its objectives. It was proposed that the amended restriction read, ‘all persons are prohibited from using foul or abusive language in such a manner that is loud and can be heard by others and cause either alarm or distress to any other person in any public place.’

A further amendment was proposed to the published report in that it was proposed that the Order be made for a period of one year, as opposed to the three years set out in the report for publication. This would allow officers time to continue to monitor and review anti-social behaviour across the restricted area, gather further evidence and consider the appropriateness of more targeted restrictions in the future. Members were asked to note that a report would be represented to Cabinet within the one year period, following careful analysis of further evidence and any appropriate consultation, to consider any extension or variation to the Order proposed.

The following Members spoke under Council Procedure Rule 20.1:

Councillor Rogers;

Councillor Austin;

Councillor Pugh;

Councillor Wing.

Councillor Keen proposed, Councillor K. Bright seconded Cabinet agreed:

1.  That the two current PSPOs be combined and adopted for the period of one year to cover Thanet’s main urban areas (Margate, Birchington, Ramsgate, Broadstairs) (as reflected in the updated PSPO document attached);

2.  To delegate any minor amendments and extensions of the PSPO to the Chief Executive.