Issue - meetings

Street-based anti-social behaviour, such as begging, street drinking and discarded needles, has a visible impact on the appearance of, and feelings of safety, in our Town Centres.  To date, there have been slightly different approaches to tackling these issues across the preceeding authorities.

With the introduction of Community Safety Accredited Officers into Poole Town Centre there is an opportunity to harmonise our approach based on a balance of enforcement and support.  Using legal tools and powers where necessary but also through better engagement, ensuring there are referral pathways into support organisations.  This would require that the Council consults public, businesses and partners on varying the conditions of the Public Spaces Protection Order in Poole.

RESOLVED that:-

(a)       BCP Council adopts a consistent approach to tackling street-based anti-social behaviour as detailed within paragraphs 16-24 of the Report;

(b)       The Director of Communities is authorised to undertake consultation on varying the Public Spaces Protection Order covering Poole Town Centre as set out in paragraphs 25-26 of the report; and

(c)       Cabinet considered the outcome of the consultation at a future meeting with a view to making recommendations in respect of the Public Spaces Protection Order in light of the consultation process.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Tourism, Leisure and Communities

Reason

To implement a balanced approach which is fit for purpose for the whole of BCP, applying effective solutions to a complex issue which seeks a reduction of harmful behaviours that impact negatively on the wider community, whilst placing the needs of vulnerable people at its heart.

The Portfolio Holder for Tourism, Leisure and Communities presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'H' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

Cabinet were requested to consider the implementation of a balanced approach which is fit for purpose for the whole of BCP, applying effective solutions to a complex issue which seeks a reduction of harmful behaviours that impact negatively on the wider community, whilst placing the needs of vulnerable people at its heart.

The Vice Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Board addressed Cabinet advising that at the recent meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Board the Board resolved that Cabinet be recommended to amend paragraph 25 of the Cabinet report, in order that the final sentence reads:

‘It is proposed that specifically, consultation is undertaken with a view to removing clauses b) to c) but that clauses a), d), e), f) and g) would remain in force’

And that consultation on the variation of Public Spaces Protection Order, as outlined at recommendation 2 of the Cabinet report, is undertaken on the basis of the amendment.

Councillors present at the meeting addressed Cabinet indicating their support to the report, in addition a question was raised as to whether there is any possibility that lockers could be provided in order for the homeless to store their possessions.

In relation to the proposed amendment from the Overview and Scrutiny Board, Cabinet felt that it was better to consult on the broader areas rather than to reduce them.

In addition the Portfolio Holder advised that work is ongoing to try and find a location for lockers.

RESOLVED that:-

(a)      BCP Council adopts a consistent approach to tackling street-based anti-social behaviour as detailed within paragraphs 16-24 of the Report;

(b)     The Director of Communities is authorised to undertake consultation on varying the Public Spaces Protection Order covering Poole Town Centre as set out in paragraphs 25-26 of the report; and

(c)      Cabinet considered the outcome of the consultation at a future meeting with a view to making recommendations in respect of the Public Spaces Protection Order in light of the consultation process.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Tourism, Leisure and Communities

To consider the following leisure and community related reports scheduled for Cabinet consideration on 18 March 2020:

·       Developing a harmonized approach to tackling street based antisocial behaviour

The O&S Board is asked to scrutinise the reports and make recommendations to Cabinet as appropriate.

Cabinet member invited to attend for this item: Councillor Lewis Allison, Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Communities.

The Cabinet report will be published on Tuesday 10 March and available to view at the following link: https://democracy.bcpcouncil.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=285&MId=3727&Ver=4

Developing a Harmonised Approach to Tackling Street Based Anti-Social Behaviour – The Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Communities introduced the report, a copy of which had been circulated and which appears as Appendix ‘F’ to the Cabinet minutes of 18 March 2020 in the Minute Book. The Portfolio Holder informed the Board that a review had been recently undertaken and the report presented the findings. It was noted that given the present situation the proposed consultation as outlined in the report will begin in the way as set out in the paper.

·     In response to a question the Portfolio Holder advised that the suggested consultation was to allow for the whole area to be dealt with in the same way. The PSPO would be consulted on prior to coming back to Cabinet for a decision. It was confirmed that the administration was not abandoning PSPOs and these would continue to be in use by the Council.

·     A Councillor commented that they supported the CSAS officers in Boscombe and welcomed the increases of officers in Poole and Bournemouth. It was suggested that at least another one for Poole and one for Bournemouth were required. It was noted that there were many other areas of the conurbation which would benefit from the presence of CSAS officers. The Portfolio Holder confirmed that he would like to have as many officers in the area as possible and would review the impact that these extra officers had and would continue to monitor the situation in future.

·     In response to a question it was confirmed that the CSAS officers wore body cameras and would continue to do so.

·     The Board questioned the reasoning behind the suggested removal of a number of the points within the PSPO. The Portfolio Holder did not believe these were providing anything additional to the other points listed in helping to improve the situation.

·     The Board asked about the deployment of CSAS officers and their ability to be more agile in terms of where they could be deployed based upon evidence that they are required there for a period of time.

·     The area in which CSAS officers operated needed to be designated by the Chief Constable based on evidence of antisocial behaviour. If there was evidence of other areas needing them the Council would need to work with Dorset Police to get those areas designated.

·     Impact on more vulnerable members of society – A Councillor commented that they were pleased to see co-ordinated approach with other agencies taking into account mental health; working on interconnected problems and resolving these issues.

·     In response to a question it was confirmed that Bournemouth and Poole had different approaches to anti-social behaviour and there was a need to harmonise across the area. Officers in Poole have a different way or working. A Councillor expressed concern that the Poole PSPO was being watered down and there was evidence base to say the PSPO in Poole had worked. The PSPO issue would be going out to public consultation.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 146